by Scott Smith MA, LPC, CH, LCPC

Understanding Hypnosis in Treatment

Going Beyond Direct Suggestion Hypnosis

Hypnosis?

Basic Definition: • Simply a Heightened State of Suggestibility combined w/ Mental

Visualization

• Naturally occurring trance state- Example - highway hypnosis

Requirements:- Normal Intelligence - Willingness- Ability to follow directions

Hypnotic LevelsLevel, Description, Expected Response• Level 1

• Light Trance• Relaxation, eye lock (eyelids won’t open upon

suggestion).• Level 2

• Light/Med Trance• Heavy or floating feeling, locking of isolated muscle

groups – such as the arm

Hypnotic Levels (cont.)Level, Description, Expected Response• Level 3

• Medium Trance• Smell and taste changes, number block (aphasia).

• Level 4• Med/Deep Trance• Response to post hypnotic suggestions, analgesia

(no pain).

Hypnotic Levels (cont.)Level, Description, Expected Response• Level 5

• Deep Trance• Positive Hallucinations (Experiencing something that is

not there).• Level 6

• Somnambulistic Negative Hallucinations (Not experiencing something that is there).

Note: Hypnotic Levels are from the Arons Scale (named for Harry Arons)

Hypnosis Pre-Talk1.) Rapport building • Setting the precedent (confidence in

process/skill set)2.) Pre-hypnosis (Clinical) Interview• History taking• Presenting concerns • Secondary gain• Goals and expectations • Increase suggestibility • Remove fears and doubts – Myths and Facts • Explain hypnosis process

Hypnosis Pre-Talk (Cont.)

3.) Conceptualization of how the mind operates- Conscious, Unconscious, Subconscious Critical Factor

- filter: protects against potentially harmful changes to established belief patterns

4.) Definition of Hypnosis – Government - US Gov’t Dept. of Health & Human Services“Hypnosis is the bypass of the critical factor and the establishment of acceptable selective thinking”

Hypnosis – Phase IModel was Developed by Cal Banyon

- Five phases to 5-Path Hypnosis (copy right)- Modeled after the work of Dave Elman

Phase I- Induction- Deepening- Covert Test for Somnambulism

- Convincers- Resource Building (Increase self-confidence & Remove Negative Beliefs about Self

- Direct Suggestion & Suggestion for Re-induction- Emerge and Post Hypnotic Interview

Hypnosis – Phase 2

Phase IIAge Regression

- Reliving of a past event through revivification – re-experience in the

present to be resolved- Use all the senses to go back in time- “Informed Soul” as an option

Hypnosis – Phases 2 (cont.)Phase II - Age Regression Cont’d

1.) Identify:- SPE (Symptom Producing Event)

2.) Affect Bridge / Time Tunneling Technique- SSE (Subsequent Sensitizing Event)- ISE (Initial Sensitizing Event)

3.) Informed Child - Adult introduced- Re-master the past with current insights to heal

younger parts- Desensitization

Hypnosis – Phase 2 (cont.)Phase II - Age Regression Cont’d

4.) Join child to the adult5.) Informed adult – report change to the adult6.) Process SSE’s up to the current day7.) Segue / Direct Suggestion

Phase 3 - FOO & Phase 4 -FOS

� FOO = Forgiveness of Others

� FOS = Forgiveness of Self

� The key to FOO and FOS involve Forgiveness

Forgiveness

Is Not/Does Not

� Reconciliation

� Does not involve forgetting

� Excuse past behavior

Is

� Canceling a debt & moving on

� No need for a “Pound of Flesh”

Phase 3 - FOO

� Is conducted after age regression is done after Phase 2.

� Insights from Phase 2 provide a road map to� What problems exist � Who may need to be forgiven in FOO

Phase 3 – FOO (cont.)

Steps of FOO

1. Pre-Hypnosis Interview

2. Assessment of readiness for hypnosis

3. Hypnotic Induction and Deepening

Phase 3 – FOO (cont.)

4.Create Environment in Hypnosis• Client can interact with the ones that have hurt the client • Client encouraged to express feelings of being hurt • Offender interacts with client• Client works to forgive the offender

FOO Results

1. Remove anger resulting from the interactions that the client has experienced and has hung on to in their life.

2. New insights learned about unexpressed and misunderstood emotions and how they connect to bad habits, addictions, illness, etc.

3. Forgiveness is found to be the antidote of anger and facilitates letting go process.

Phase 4 - FOS

� It is very similar to the process of FOO

� Instead of the Offender being another individual, the Offender is from within.

� Peace is established from within and the internal war ends with self-forgiveness.

FOS Results

� FOS is the antidote for:� Guilt at Self� Anger at Self

• With FOO completed, it is easier to forgive self and remove the self-imposed debt with the FOS process

• If secondary gain is present, move to Phase 5.

Phase 5 – Part Mediation Therapy

� Part Mediation Therapy (PMT)� Variation of Ego State Therapy� Pioneers - Paul Federn & John G. Watkins – C.G. Jung (Complexes), Eric Berne,

John & Helen Watkins � Hypnosis - Charles Tebbets, Roy Hunter, Gordon Emmerson

Parts Mediation Therapy (cont.)

� Parts (Ego State) Basic Concepts � Parts (a.k.a. Subpersonalities & Ego States)� Not Alters � Parts emerge:

� Usually early in youth

� As a result of a “crisis”, need to cope, or adapt

� Are usually a specific age but can evolve

Parts Mediation Therapy (cont.)

Continued • Numerous parts can exist• Have their own individual history• Considered as all “good” and being essential/vital• They worry about being removed/discounted• Can have different agendas and world views• Can be unknown to one another and to client (Covert Ego State)

Parts Mediation Therapy (cont.)

Continued � Can communicate in clusters or individually � Can ally with each other and merge with each other � Two types – 1) surface states, 2) underlying states� Cannot be eliminated but can be changed � Have feelings and can be hurt and may not participate or cooperate if offended

or afraid

Parts Mediation Therapy (cont.)

� PMT is used to deal with Secondary Gain or when serious conflicts exist between parts

� Goals of PMT� Access parts through hypnosis� Uncover conflicts between parts� Build alliances between parts – Merge Parts � Develop Win –Win situations between parts

Parts Mediation Therapy (cont.)

Goals of PMT (cont.)

� To locate ego states harboring pain, trauma, anger, or frustration and facilitate expression, release, comfort, and empowerment

� To facilitate functional communication among ego states

� To help clients learn their ego states so that the states may be better used to the client’s benefit.

Parts Mediation Therapy (cont.)

PMT In General:

� In essence, parts therapy is similar to “family therapy” with your self (e.g., Internal Family Systems Model).

� Conflicts arise between “Still Wanting Parts” vs. Other Parts.

� (e.g., Part Still Wanting to Drink). Name change is likely and should be “positive”.

Parts Mediation Therapy (cont.)

Steps of PMT

1. Hypnotic Induction and Deepening

2. Identify hypnotist/hypnotherapist as a being mediator and not the decision maker – Remain neutral and diplomatic

3. Communicate with parts to assess conflicts and benefits to changing

Parts Mediation Therapy (cont.)

Continued

6. Identify and communicate common ground between parts

7. Formulate solutions for parts agreement and peace

8. Build alliances and treaties with part to promote peace.

Contact Information

Scott Smith MA, LPC, CH, LCPC

PF Dover Counseling, PLLC

300 Trophy Club Dr. Suite 300

Trophy Club, TX. 76092

Cell: 309-363-2544

Email: sspfdovercounseling@yahoo.com