Abstract
Abstract Neuroscience is providing growing evidence that psychopathology is related to neural integration and amygdala-based implicit memories. Understanding the brain provides psychotherapists a guide for treatment, and neuroscience points to hypnosis as a potent treatment tool. Hypnosis affects functional areas of the brain, including the amygdaloid memory system and neural integration. Hypnosis in itself is not curative. Neuroscience, more recent psychotherapy models, and modern understandings of hypnoanalysis appear to confirm Freud’s early observations of hypnosis effectiveness and, for his objection that hypnosis works well for some clients but not for others, explain why. Neuroscience’s understanding of the development of psychopathology and psychotherapy models give us tools and models Freud did not have. Using age regression (abreaction) in hypnosis in the context of psychotherapy appear to provide direct access to amygdala-based implicit memories during which the content of implicit memories can be explored for the unconscious meaning and for the responses conditioned during traumatic events. With the skilled use of psychotherapy treatment models while a client is in hypnosis, new patterns can be created through neurologically vividly experiences. These vivid experiences create new, reconditioned patterns that appear to reflect direct changes in the amygdala-based implicit memories and neural integration, evidenced by clients’new, automatic responses in previously difficult circumstances. Two case studies illustrate the use of Ego Psychology, Self Psychology, Attachment and Narrative psychotherapy models during hypnotic age regressions to disconnect stimulus-response patterns in a phobia client and provide vivid experiences of attachment and guidance for a borderline client.
Highlights
Psychopathology can be theoretically organized from an understanding of the brain in order to devise an approach to treating the problem that is most likely to improve a client’s or patient’s functioning (Moore & Tasso, 2012, p.717; Yapko, 2010, p.555)
Two case studies are presented to illustrate the catalyzing effect of hypnosis on the psychotherapeutic concepts found in Self Psychology, Attachment, Narrative, and Ego Psychology, using them in novel ways to directly edit the beliefs, processes, and stimulus response in implicit memories and to affect functional responses with a phobia and a borderline personality disorder client
Near the end of Freud’s writings we find this statement: “Hypnotic influence seemed to be an excellent instrument for our purposes. . . . No substitute for hypnosis has yet been found” (Freud, 2010)
Summary
Psychopathology can be theoretically organized from an understanding of the brain in order to devise an approach to treating the problem that is most likely to improve a client’s or patient’s functioning (Moore & Tasso, 2012, p.717; Yapko, 2010, p.555). In the context of neuropsychology of mental illness this article reviews some basic psychotherapeutic implications of brain development and the effects of trauma on the brain, especially neuroscience findings indicating that psychological problems may be understood as imbalance in neural integration and conditioning in the amygdala mediated memory system. The author locates the discussion historically addressing Freud’s early understanding of hypnosis and refuting his reasons for abandoning the use of hypnosis, using neuroscience to demonstrate why using hypnosis in psychotherapy appears to be effective. Two case studies are presented to illustrate the catalyzing effect of hypnosis on the psychotherapeutic concepts found in Self Psychology, Attachment, Narrative, and Ego Psychology, using them in novel ways to directly edit the beliefs, processes, and stimulus response in implicit memories and to affect functional responses with a phobia and a borderline personality disorder client
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
