Hypnotic Strategies Research Articles

It Takes More Than Two to Tango: Building Secure Attachment Through Hypnotic and Ego-State Relationships

This article explores how hypnotic strategies can be used within a polyvagal science framework to help create more secure attachment within the therapeutic relationship, as well as within the client in terms of ego-state relationships. Principles of safety and connection are emphasized, along with specific strategies to access the attachment circuits of the ventral vagal system, including the necessity of being present with the client without agenda. Uses of hypnosis related to safety and connection and methods to work with the center core self to facilitate empowerment, self-cohesion, and conflict-free experience are also reviewed. From an ego-state therapy perspective, a discussion of hypnosomatic approaches to connect with preverbal, nonverbal, and somatic aspects of self to accomplish developmental repair and facilitate secure attachment is also offered, along with case examples. A three-step model, which attempts to integrate polyvagal, somatic, and hypnotic approaches, is offered by the author to help structure corrective experiences for clients with trauma.

Staying the Course: Using Hypnosis to Help Cancer Patients Navigate Their Illness

Although sometimes maligned and often misunderstood, clinical hypnosis can be utilized as a powerful adjunct for the treatment of mind–body conditions, including cancer. Unlike customary medical regimens that treat diseases of the body and psychotherapies that address disorders of the psyche, hypnosis is a uniquely customizable multi-tool that can augment the treatment of both physical and emotional disorders as well as their complex interactions. This article presents a longitudinal, phase-oriented, clinical model that uses hypnosis in a series of sequential interventions that incorporate targeted suggestions to address the unfolding phases of the cancer continuum. Five such phases of the cancer patient’s trajectory, along with their associated medical and psychological challenges, are conceptualized. Each phase is illustrated by case examples from the author’s clinical practice and by a discussion of relevant hypnotic approaches. On the somatic level, the intrinsic capacities of hypnotic phenomena, paired with suggestions, can be harnessed to effect perceptual and functional changes to offer symptom relief, re-establishment of systemic homeostasis, amelioration of cellular chemistry, and the acceleration of tissue healing. In the psychological realm, hypnotic strategies can be used to provide a much needed continuity of emotional support, a sense of mastery and self-agency, emotional regulation, and behavioral change.

Use of Hypnotic Techniques in Children and Adolescents with Chronic Pain: Do the Ages of Patients or Years of Practice and Theoretical Orientation of Clinicians Matter?

Hypnosis is known to be effective in the treatment of pediatric pain. To better understand which strategies might be most useful, more knowledge is needed regarding the strategies that are actually used by experienced clinicians and the factors that influence their use. To address this knowledge gap, 35 health care professionals completed an online survey on the use of hypnosis in the management of pediatric chronic pain. The findings indicate that clinicians vary their use of hypnotic strategies primarily as a function of a patient’s age but not as a function of theoretical orientation or amount of experience. The findings may be useful for guiding clinicians in their selection of strategies and suggestions when working with children with pain.

Cognitive Hypnotherapy for Accessing and Healing Emotional Injuries for Anxiety Disorders

Although anxiety disorders on the surface may appear simple, they often represent complex problems that are compounded by underlying factors. For these reasons, treatment of anxiety disorders should be individualized. This article describes cognitive hypnotherapy, an individual comprehensive treatment protocol that integrates cognitive, behavioral, mindfulness, psychodynamic, and hypnotic strategies in the management of anxiety disorders. The treatment approach is based on the self-wounds model of anxiety disorders, which provides the rationale for integrating diverse strategies in the psychotherapy for anxiety disorders. Due to its evidence-based and integrated nature, the psychotherapy described here provides accuracy, efficacy, and sophistication in the formulation and treatment of anxiety disorders. This model can be easily adapted to the understanding and treatment of other emotional disorders.

Symptoms as Solutions: Hypnosis and Biofeedback for Autonomic Regulation in Autism Spectrum Disorders

The Autonomic Dysregulation Theory of autism posits that a phylogenetically early autonomic defect leads to overarousal and impairments in language and social engagement. Cognitive rigidity and repetitive behaviors manifest as mitigating efforts. Focusing on the implications of this premise may provide more productive therapeutic approaches than existing methods. It suggests that self-regulation therapy using hypnosis and biofeedback should be highly effective, especially for young people. Hypnotic strategies can utilize restrictive repetitive behaviors in trance as resources for comfort and control. Biofeedback training can be tailored to focus on autonomic regulation. The authors develop this theory and describe methods of integrating hypnosis and biofeedback that have been therapeutic for people with autism. Directions for future research to validate this approach are discussed.

Hypnosis and Relaxation in the Context of Plastic Surgery Nursing

Hypnotic induction and relaxation strategies are discussed as helpful resources for plastic surgery nurses in providing optimal patient care. An overview of the history and context of these strategies is provided along with descriptions of specific techniques to assist patients to relax when receiving potentially painful procedures. The techniques discussed include mindful focus, focused breathing, body scan, progressive relaxation, and guided imagery. Additional resources are provided for nurses seeking further training.

Women's Views Regarding Hypnosis for the Control of Surgical Pain in the Context of a Randomized Clinical Trial

The aim of this study was to assess women's satisfaction with a hypnotic intervention for anxiety and pain management during a pregnancy-terminating procedure. Women (N = 350) scheduled for first-trimester surgical abortion were randomly assigned to standard care or to a short, standardized hypno-analgesia intervention before and during the procedure. We assessed their individual use of the various hypnotic strategies proposed during the intervention and their views (likes/dislikes) about the hypnotic intervention, the pregnancy termination experience, and their participation in this randomized study. Mental imagery of a secure place was the strategy used by most women (71%) in the hypnosis group, but a significant proportion of them also used dissociation (42%) and focal analgesia (39%). Advantages of hypnosis over standard care were found in the patients' report that they could resume their normal activities right after being discharged from the hospital (72% in hypnosis vs. 56% in control group) and in their appreciation of the accompaniment (hypnotherapist vs. nurse) provided during the procedure (97% in hypnosis vs. 56% in control group). Among those who received hypnosis, 97% affirmed that they would recommend hypnosis to a friend for a similar procedure. More than 98% in both groups indicated they would again volunteer to participate in a study evaluating hypnosis for pain management. Women in the hypnosis group generally reported higher levels of satisfaction with various aspects of the procedure. This is consistent with the growing literature in favor of hypnotic interventions to improve pain management and care.

Coaching Hypnosis: Integrating hypnotic strategies and principles in coaching

Coaching psychology has not given much thought to hypnosis, despite its long history of applications in enhancing human abilities and potentials. Since a range of psychotherapeutic strategies have been successfully transitioned to coaching and are commonly practiced by coaches and coaching psychologists, it is suggested that hypnotic techniques and principles can also be successfully employed to meet coaching objectives. This paper mainly discusses: (a) the use of self-hypnosis for the coachee; (b) adapting age-progression and age-regression to fit coaching needs; and (c) the use of indirect suggestions in the coaching dialogue to enhance coachee receptivity. The term ‘coaching hypnosis’ is proposed when referring to the use of hypnosis in coaching as it will help to separate links with hypnotherapy and encourage it to build an identity of its own.

Treating Postpartum Depression with Hypnosis: Addressing Specific Symptoms Presented by the Client

Postpartum Depression is experienced by 10–15% of women who give birth (Bloch, Rolenberg, Koren, & Klein, 2006). This disorder causes maternal distress and has been significantly associated with infant and child developmental problems (Carter, Garrity-Rokous, Chazan-Cohen, Little, & Briggs-Gowan, 2001). Once believed to be contraindicated (Crasilneck & Hall, 1985), hypnosis for depressive disorders has been advocated as an effective intervention strategy (Yapko, 2001). Addressing specific symptoms and skill development has been promoted as an effectual hypnotic strategy for depression (Yapko, 2001); however, little empirical evidence of the efficacy of hypnotherapy for postpartum depression or effective hypnotic strategies exists. The present article is a report of a single case in which hypnotherapy was successfully utilized in the treatment of Postpartum Depression by attending to the specific problems presented by the client and developing client skills to resolve existing problems and prevent their recurrence.

Potential Adjunctive Applications of Hypnosis in the Management of Periodontal Diseases

Many uses of hypnosis in dentistry have been described in the literature including anesthesia, analgesia, anxiety management, treatment for bruxism, to control gagging, and the alteration of salivary flow and bleeding control during treatment. However, very few references have been made specifically regarding the use of hypnosis with patients who have periodontal disease, a wide spread chronic inflammatory disease affecting the oral cavity of about 80% of the population. The purpose of this paper is to describe potential adjunctive applications of hypnosis in the treatment of patients with periodontal diseases. The supporting literature from two broad areas for potential application, health behaviors and psychoneuroimmunology is discussed, followed by proposed hypnotic strategies and suggestions for use with patients with periodontal diseases.

The State of the Art of Clinical Hypnosis

Abstract This paper reviews the contemporary status of clinical hypnosis in light of the current emphasis on briefer, pragmatic forms of therapy and consumer demands to demonstrate effectiveness. Conceptual shifts and an expansion of clinical applications are related to changes in hypnotic strategies and technique. Suggestions for future avenues of clinical research are outlined and the importance of the continued integration of scientific rigor, empirical clarity, and clinical acumen and sensitivity is emphasized.

Applications of hypnosis in the treatment of anorexia nervosa.

Historic and current reports in the literature involving applications of hypnosis with anorectic patients are reviewed and integrated to explicate core aspects of hypnotic interventions in treating anorexia nervosa. A comprehensive hypnotherapeutic approach is delineated which emphasizes the use of hypnotic strategies to reduce tension, enhance self-control, support increased and realistic body awareness, alter distorted body image, and foster appropriate autonomy and individuation. Preliminary data are also reviewed which support the clinical efficacy of this approach.