What is hypnotherapy?

Definition

Hypnotherapy is therapy that is undertaken with a subject in hypnosis. The word "hypnosis" is an abbreviation of James Braid's (1843) term "neuro-hypnotism", meaning "sleep of the nervous system" or a state of relaxation far surpassing the normal level attained. A person who is hypnotized displays certain unusual characteristics and propensities, compared with a non-hypnotized subject, most notably hyper-suggestibility or heightened awareness, which some authorities have considered a sine qua non of hypnosis. Hypnotherapy is often applied in order to modify a subject's behaviour, emotional content, and attitudes, as well as a wide range of conditions including dysfunctional habits, anxiety, stress-related illness, pain management, and personal development.

In 2002 the UK Department for Education and Skills developed 'The National Occupational Standards for Hypnotherapy' linked to National Vocational Qualification based on National Qualifications Framework under The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, and thus hypnotherapy was approved as a stand-alone therapy in UK.

How Hypnotherapy Works

• Age regression - by returning to an earlier ego-state the patient can regain qualities they once had, but have lost. Remembering an earlier, healthier, ego-state can increase the patients' strength and confidence.
• Revivification - remembering past experiences can contribute to therapy. For example, the hypnotist may ask, "have you ever been in trance?" and then find it easier to revive the previous experience than attempt inducing a new state.
• Guided imagery - a method by which the subject is given a new relaxing and beneficial experience.
• Confusion - a method developed by Milton H. Erickson in which the subject is more likely to be receptive to indirect suggestion due to an altered state of confusion.
• Repetition - the more an idea is repeated the more likely it is to be accepted and acted upon by the patient.
• Direct suggestion - suggesting directly. "You feel safe and secure".
• Indirect suggestion - using "interpersonal" technique and other means to cause effect.
• Mental state - people are more receptive while relaxed, sleeping, or in a trance.
• Hypnoanalysis - the client recalls moments from his past, confronting them and releasing associated emotions, similar to psychoanalysis.
• Post-hypnotic suggestion - a suggestion that will be carried out after the trance has ended. "When you re-awaken you will feel refreshed and happy!"
• Visualization - being told to imagine or visualize a desired outcome seems to make it more likely to actually occur.

Therapeutic Uses of Hypnotherapy

Research on hypnotherapy has tended to highlight three main areas in which it's efficacy as a treatment has been demonstrated:

• Anxiety.
• Insomnia.
• Pain management.
• Psychosomatic disorder i.e. stress-related illness.

Hypnotherapy has many other applications but efficacy research has tended to focus upon these issues. More mixed results have been obtained for its efficacy in relation to the treatment of addictions, an area where high relapse is common with most treatments. The evidence supporting the effectiveness of hypnosis in alleviating chronic pain associated with cancer seems strong. In addition, the panel was presented with other data suggesting the effectiveness of hypnosis in other chronic pain conditions, which include irritable bowel syndrome, oral mucositis [pain and swelling of the mucus membrane], temporomandibular disorders [jaw pain], and tension headaches. (NIH, 1995).

In 1999, the British Medical Journal (BMJ) published a Clinical Review of current medical research on hypnotherapy and relaxation therapies, it concludes:

• There is good evidence from randomized controlled trials that both hypnosis and relaxation techniques can reduce anxiety, particularly that related to stressful situations such as receiving chemotherapy.
• They are also effective for panic disorders and insomnia, particularly when integrated into a package of cognitive therapy (including, for example, sleep hygiene).
• A systematic review has found that hypnosis enhances the effects of cognitive behavioural therapy for conditions such as phobia, obesity, and anxiety.
• Randomized controlled trials support the use of various relaxation techniques for treating both acute and chronic pain.
• Randomized trials have shown hypnosis to be of value in asthma and in irritable bowel syndrome.
• Relaxation and hypnosis are often used in cancer patients. There is strong evidence from randomized trials of the effectiveness of hypnosis and relaxation for cancer related anxiety, pain, nausea, and vomiting, particularly in children.' (Vickers & Zollman, 'Clinical Review: Hypnosis & Relaxation Therapies', BMJ, 1999).

In 2001, the Professional Affairs Board of the British Psychological Society (BPS) commissioned a working party of expert psychologists to publish a report entitled The Nature of Hypnosis, with regard to the therapeutic uses of hypnosis, this concluded: enough studies have now accumulated to suggest that the inclusion of hypnotic procedures may be beneficial in the management and treatment of a wide range of conditions and problems encountered in the practice of medicine, psychiatry and psychotherapy. 

The working party then provided an overview of some of the most important contemporary research on the efficacy of clinical hypnotherapy, which are summarized:

There is convincing evidence that hypnotic procedures are effective in the management and relief of both acute and chronic pain and in assisting in the alleviation of pain, discomfort and distress due to medical and dental procedures and childbirth.
• Hypnosis and the practice of self-hypnosis may significantly reduce general anxiety, tension and stress in a manner similar to other relaxation and self-regulation procedures.
• Likewise, hypnotic treatment may assist in insomnia in the same way as other relaxation methods.
• There is encouraging evidence demonstrating the beneficial effects of hypnotherapeutic procedures in alleviating the symptoms of a range of complaints that fall under the heading 'psychosomatic illness.' These include tension headaches and migraine; asthma; gastro-intestinal complaints such as irritable bowel syndrome; warts; and possibly other skin complaints such as eczema, psoriasis and urticaria [hives].
• There is evidence from several studies that its [hypnosis] inclusion in a weight reduction program may significantly enhance outcome. (BPS, 'The Nature of Hypnosis', 2001)

Clinical Practice

What will happen during a consultation?

It is possible to initiate the state of hypnosis oneself (self hypnosis) or it can be initiated for you by a hypnotist. Hypnosis is a perfectly natural state and most people experience the state often but are not aware that this is what is called hypnosis. Hypnosis is considered to be a safe therapy. No one can compel anyone else to do anything they truly do not wish to do or to reveal anything they do not wish to reveal about themselves. The person being hypnotized is always in control and will be able to remember all that happens during a hypnotherapy session.

Hypnotherapy then, is the use of hypnosis to relax and focus the mind and then therapy will be applied by the hypnotherapist. The most usual ways of working are with Hypnotic Suggestion and Hypnoanalysis. However various techniques can be used (see How Hypnotherapy Works).

There is no special way that everyone feels when in hypnosis, but generally most people feel very relaxed, like daydreaming, or maybe a sensation of being very light or very heavy, floating, or perhaps just feeling warm and safe. Hypnosis is a normal part of the working of the mind.

Resources

Hypnotherapy General Sites

Counselling

A free to join major UK charity for anyone involved in any kind of talk therapy, counselling, psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, stress consultants, etc. For a fee of about £10 you can obtain a certificate of registration. Even without this you can be registered with them and use CCC Registered Counsellor after your name (provided you send them the relevant qualifications etc).

Hypnosense

A good site for the aspiring Hypnotherapist or existing professionals Lots of help and good info.

Tania A Prince Associates

Has information on training courses and therapy including hypnotherapy, EFT, TAT, NLP. The site includes many case histories.

Books

All in the mind
Dr Brian Roet
A great introduction for lay people and includes self-help ideas.

Hypnotherapy
Dave Elman
A guide for student hypnotherapists.

The New Hypnotherapy Handbook
Kevin Hogan

Professional Member Associations

The Corporation of Advanced Hypnotherapists
The Hypnotherapy Society
The Hypnotherapy Society

The General Hypnotherapy Centre

Excellent association for hypnotherapists. Provides training details.

The General Hypnotherapy Register

Very popular professional site.

The National Register of Hypnotherapists and Psychotherapists
The British Institute of Hypnotherapy
The Institute of Clinical Hypnosis (In London)

Journals and Magazines

Hypnogenesis

A good emag for all interested with some great articles by experienced people in the field.

Hypnotic World

Lots of free help for hypnotherapists and much more if you subscribe.

References

Unless indicated information is sourced from Wikipedia. Content has been edited http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/hypnotherapy

Contributors to this Guide

Note the opinions expressed here do not represent a consensus view. Each contributor, if there is more than one, may not agree with all the opinions expressed. If you would like to add or edit any parts of this guide, please contact the Editor at editor@comptogether.co.uk with your contribution.

Alan Crisp,Clinical Hypnotherapist: Your Truth
Purple Pages: Alan Crisp Clinical Hypnotherapy
Website: Your Truth

Tracey Goulding, Acupuncturist & Aromatherapist: Essential Therapia
Purple Pages: Essential Therapia
Website: Essential Therapia

 

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