The Uses of Hypnosis in Psychotherapy

7/27/2019 The Uses of Hypnosis in Psychotherapy

1/19

DAVID GODOT, PSY.D.

D G O D O T @ G M A I L . C O MD AV I D G O D O T. C O M

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 3

The Use of Hypnosis inPsychotherapy
http://davidgodot.com/http://davidgodot.com/


2/19

Background on Hypnosis

Hypnosis has been used as an adjunct to medical practicefor over 200 years, and has a tremendous research base AMA approved teaching of hypnosis in 1958, APA followed in 1960SCEH and ISH are members of

American Association for Advancement of Science& World Federation for Mental Health

Hypnosis studies published in most prestigious journals,including BMJ, JAMA, Lancet, Nature, Science,Psychological Bulletin, Neuron, Trends in CognitiveSciences, etc.


3/19

Effectiveness of Hypnosis

Not just effective, but superior to a number of standard treatment procedures

A Harvard Medical School study showed hypnosis reducedpain & anxiety related to invasive medical procedures more

than CBT or IV medication (Lang et al, 2000) A meta-analysis showed greater treatment effects in more than70% of cases when hypnosis was added to CBT especially inlong-term followup (Kirsch, Montgomery, & Sapirstein, 1995) Dynamically-oriented hypnotherapies are moreeffective than psychodynamic therapy, as well especially for PTSD (Watkins & Watkins, 1997)

Effective with all age groups and all cultures
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10801169http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7751482http://www.amazon.com/Ego-States-Helen-H-Watkins/dp/0393702596http://www.amazon.com/Ego-States-Helen-H-Watkins/dp/0393702596http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7751482http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7751482http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7751482http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10801169


4/19

What is Hypnosis?

Not a treatment a treatment tool Altered state of consciousness

Absorption, Sustained attention

Diminished peripheral awarenessHeightened perceptual control

E.g. production, modification, & dissociationFocused, controlled imaginative involvement

Heightened receptivity to suggestion


5/19

The Hypnotic Experience

Often, but not always, associated with relaxationNot associated with a subjective loss of control hypnosis provides increased control over cognitive,

affective, and somatic experienceVolitional non - volition Not associated with a loss of consciousness

However, some subjects do experience spontaneous amnesia


6/19

Hypnotizability

Individuals may be more or less:Prone to hypnotic states in generalResponsive to specific hypnotic proceduresCapable of manifesting particular hypnotic phenomena

General hypnotic ability (hypnotizability) is a stabletrait which affects responsivity more than situational orattitudinal factorsStudies show 90% of individuals capable of hypnosis

Many argue that remaining 10% accounted for by methodologicallimitations (i.e. different techniques needed)Hypnotic testing can reveal specific capacities of the pt

Hypnotic ability generally improves with practice


7/19

The Method of Hypnotism

Form of therapeutic communication in which thehypnotists suggestions take the place of usualconscious/unconscious cognitive mediation faculties

Hypnotic induction procedure establishes this dynamic

Deepening procedures are used to increase level of hypnoticinvolvement/responseHypnotic suggestion leverages the unique qualities of hypnoticexperience to:

Directly alter beliefs & schemasInvoke desirable internal experiences Activate innate healing tendenciesReshape past and future experience


8/19

General Benefits of Hypnosis

Studies show positive effects on mental & physicalhealth from mere experience of hypnotic trance(Ginandes et al, 2003)

Hypnosis teaches the ability to direct thoughts andexperiences, rather than merely react to them (Yapko,2010)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12722936http://www.amazon.com/Medical-Hypnosis-Primer-Clinical-Research/dp/0415871786http://www.amazon.com/Medical-Hypnosis-Primer-Clinical-Research/dp/0415871786http://www.amazon.com/Medical-Hypnosis-Primer-Clinical-Research/dp/0415871786http://www.amazon.com/Medical-Hypnosis-Primer-Clinical-Research/dp/0415871786http://www.amazon.com/Medical-Hypnosis-Primer-Clinical-Research/dp/0415871786http://www.amazon.com/Medical-Hypnosis-Primer-Clinical-Research/dp/0415871786http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12722936http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12722936http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12722936http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12722936


9/19

Demonstration


10/19

Integrating Hypnosis Into Therapy

The way hypnosis is employed reflects thepractitioners theoretical orientation

Cognitive/BehavioralSolution-focused

HumanisticEgo strengthening

PsychodynamicHypnoanalysisIdeomotor signalingEgo states

Ericksonian/AtheoreticalMetaphor


11/19

Specific Applications of Hypnosis


12/19

Depression

Patients can be reconnected experientially to positivemental states from their past

Establish cues for the re-experiencing of those states outside of hypnosis

Increase engagement in behavioral activation throughinternal rehearsal & posthypnotic suggestionIncrease insight into triggers, schemas, and relationalfactors using hypnotic phenomena (e.g. ageregression/progression, affect bridge, dream induction)

Create corrective experiences in session


13/19


14/19

Sleep Disorders

InsomniaEnhance relaxation skills Address rumination and improve cognitive controlRealign pt with environmental/behavioral cues for sleep

NightmaresImaginal exploration, rehearsal, and rescripting

Parasomnias

Hypnotic rehearsal of uninterrupted sleepHypnoanalysis of causes


15/19

Pain Control

Possibly the most empirically supported application of hypnosis (Patterson & Jensen, 2003)

Continuous successful use since 1800sMeta-analyses show at least 75% of patients receiving substantial painrelief

Acute (e.g. procedural)Hypnotic anasthesia/analgesiaDistraction: introduction of pain-competitive experiencesDistortion: Qualitative modification of pain experienceDissociation: Absorption in experiences unrelated to pain

Control conditioned anxiety

Chronic pain & somatizationSelf-hypnosis trainingDecrease pain focus & improve cognitive setResolution of psychological trauma & relational causes
http://bscw.rediris.es/pub/bscw.cgi/d4435044/Patterson-Hypnosis_clinical_pain.pdfhttp://bscw.rediris.es/pub/bscw.cgi/d4435044/Patterson-Hypnosis_clinical_pain.pdf


16/19

Behavioral Health

Imagery & rehearsal to increase self-efficacy,decrease anxiety, improve confidence in treatmentoutcome

Weight lossSmoking cessationTreatment engagement/complianceHealth promotion/disease prevention


17/19

PTSD

PTSD patients as a group are moderately high inhypnotizability (Vermetten & Christensen, 2010)

Many symptoms are spontaneous trance phenomenaDissociation, re-experiencing

Hypnosis shown effective both as an adjunct to CBT, and whenused in ego state therapy Anxiety reductionMemory consolidation Abreaction

Dynamic and attachment-based hypnotic treatmentseffective for repairing complex trauma (e.g. BPD,dissociative disorders)
http://www.amazon.com/Medical-Hypnosis-Primer-Clinical-Research/dp/0415871786http://www.amazon.com/Medical-Hypnosis-Primer-Clinical-Research/dp/0415871786http://www.amazon.com/Medical-Hypnosis-Primer-Clinical-Research/dp/0415871786http://www.amazon.com/Medical-Hypnosis-Primer-Clinical-Research/dp/0415871786http://www.amazon.com/Medical-Hypnosis-Primer-Clinical-Research/dp/0415871786


18/19

Addictions

Hypnosis can be used to de-couple triggers, andrehearse relapse-prevention strategiesUncover & resolve dynamic motivations for

maintaining addictionSelf-hypnosis can be introduced to improve self-efficacy, reduce impulsivity, and provide means forself-soothing


19/19

Questions

Documents

The Uses of Hypnosis in Psychotherapy