Hypnotherapy Training Blog

Welcome to the ICCHP Clinical Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Training Blog. The hypnotherapy blog topics presented here make up a complete introductory hypnotherapy training course. You can use this blog to complete the equivalent of our first online learning module, free of charge.

The introductory hypnotherapy course module is the first step to learning clinical hypnosis and hypnotherapy. It is the first module of the ICCHP´s flagship clinical hypnosis and hypnotherapy twelve module course. The twelve modules make up a complete programme of online open learning, leading to a Diploma in Integrative Evidence- based Clinical Hypnotherapy and Mind Body Health.

Once you complete the introductory level module you can purchase the course and gain access to the more advanced level modules which include

• hypno-analysis and psycho-dynamic hypnotherapy

• behavioural hypnotherapy

• cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy

• indirect conversational (Erickson) hypnotherapy

• advanced integrative hypno-psychotherapy

• evidence-based hypnotherapy

• mind body health

• other specialist topic areas of hypnosis, hypnotherapy and mind body health practice

There are many definitions for hypnosis and many different theories that attempt to explain hypnosis, what it is, how and why it works. Hypnosis can be defined as a state of mind, and many definitions refer to it being an altered state of mind. This suggests that it is a changed state from a defined normal state.

Read the American Psychological Association article on Hypnosis: https://www.apa.org/topics/psychotherapy/hypnosis

The ICCHP's basic definition of hypnosis is unique and will help you to understand how we teach complex concepts. Hypnosis is a variety of naturally occurring states of consciousness, that we enter into spontaneously on a daily basis.

Have you ever taken a journey and reached your destination not remembering the journey? Have you ever daydreamed? Have you ever sat in a presentation and you were 100% focused on the presenter and the material being presented? Have you ever sat in a presentation and your mind drifted away from the presenter and the material being presented? Have you ever been doing something you enjoyed to the complete exclusion of anything or anyone around you, like watching a film, listening to music, reading a book or enjoying a hobby or pastime?

Well, these are all hypnotic states that we experience spontaneously every day.

When we practice hypnosis, we allow ourselves to follow instructions, given by ourselves or by someone else (the hypnotist), to enter into these natural states of consciousness with intention and through choice.

• Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic interaction between a therapist who uses clinical hypnosis and a patient.

• As you have read in the previous lesson the following definition was taken from the Collins Concise Dictionary:

"hypnotherapy (noun) the use of hypnosis in the treatment of mental and emotional problems."

• The U.S. (Department of Labor) Directory of Occupational Titles (D.O.T. 079.157.010) supplies the following definition of a hypnotherapist:

"Hypnotherapist - Induces hypnotic states in clients to increase motivation or alter behavior patterns through hypnosis. Consults with client to determine the nature of problem. Prepares client to enter hypnotic states by explaining how hypnosis works and what the client will experience. Tests subject to determine degrees of physical and emotional suggestibility. Induces hypnotic state in client using individualized methods and techniques of hypnosis based on interpretation of test results and analysis of client's problem. May train client in self-hypnosis conditioning.

Hypnosis has traditionally been defined as an altered state of consciousness, a trance like state, where responsiveness to suggestions is heightened and the recall of hidden memories is facilitated (Hilgard, 1986).

• The rationale for its use is that in the hypnotised state the conscious mind presents fewer barriers to effective psycho-therapeutic exploration, leading to an increased likelihood of psychological insight (Heap, 1988).

• Other opinions have considered the so-called “hypnotic trance” to be a very relaxed mental state attained via guided imagery and meditation (McMaster, 1992, 1996).

• Discrepancies in the defining points of hypnosis have arisen due to the large individual differences in “hypnotisability” (Crawford, Brown, & Moon, 1993) and the vast number of competing theoretical models (Kirsch & Lynn,1998; Kihlstrom, 1998).

• Further, theoretical explanations for hypnotic phenomenon have been found to be derived from dissociation theories (Hilgard & Hilgard, 1994).

Hypnosis Throughout History

• Hypnosis can be traced all the way back in history to the time of Buddha and eastern philosophy.

• Its techniques have been practised throughout history.

• Many references to the practice of hypnosis start with Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815) and his practice of mesmerism and animal magnetism.

• Nineteenth century hypnosis is believed to have been established with Scottish surgeon James Esdaile (1808 – 1859), who performed many surgical amputations without anaesthetic and claimed to hypnotise his patients.

• Along with Esdaile, James Braid (1795 – 1860), a Scottish surgeon, who is considered one of the fathers of hypnosis, coined the modern term hypnosis (sleep process).

• During the 20th century many different medical and psychological practitioners experimented with the use of hypnosis to varying degrees. Emile Coué (1857-1926) was one of the first early 20th century practitioners.

• Today, many modern hypnosis practitioners study and use the techniques developed and used by Milton Erickson (1901-1980).

• There have been many practitioners of hypnosis throughout history.

• Instead of having them all listed here for you to read about, you will need to search the Internet for information on the history of hypnosis and hypnotherapy, along with the major contributing practitioners.

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_hypnosis

In hypnotherapy we usually recognise the mind functions to work with:

• the conscious mind
• the subconscious mind (sometimes referred to as the unconscious mind)
• the unconscious mind
• The term subconscious can be used to differentiate the association with the unconscious state, which denotes being knocked out unconscious. It is good practice to use the term processes instead of mind.
• By referring to the conscious and subconscious mind we are assuming that the mind only exists in two concrete states. We cannot prove this to be the case, so the use of the term processes is more exact.

The mind processes information either consciously, subconsciously, or unconsciously.

The conscious processes of the mind contain what we are explicitly aware of at this moment in time. Everything in the conscious processing state must also exist in the subconscious state, so the conscious is limited compared with the subconscious.

• Many compare and equate it to the tip of an iceberg, which is visible in the ocean.

The subconscious processes of the mind contain everything that we know but are not explicitly aware of at this point in time. You might not be thinking about what colour your car or your shoes are, but the information is there in your subconscious. Your subconscious stores everything you have ever experienced. However, some memories are easier to extract from your unconscious than others.

• Many compare this to the part of the iceberg below the surface, much bigger and deeper than the tip.
• Your subconscious contains the skills and knowledge you have learned, as well as your experiences, attitudes, habits and beliefs (subconscious mind.

The conscious and subconscious processes are what the hypnotherapist mainly works with using direct and indirect suggestions and a variety of psychotherapeutic processes.

• The hypnotherapist can manipulate the subconscious processes in order to effect the desired change in thoughts, attitudes, behaviours, habits, beliefs and the symptoms these may express.

Another level of processing, which controls automatic functions like breathing, heart beat, etc, at a subconscious level can be referred to as the unconscious mind.

Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries a number of theories of hypnosis have been proposed.

There are currently two modern theoretical arguments of hypnosis being proposed.

• One attempts to explain hypnosis by integrating modern brain activity studies and current understanding of what happens in the brain during hypnosis induced states; believing hypnosis to be a 'special state'.

• The other attempts to explain hypnosis by applying current practices of cognitive behavioural psychology to ordinarily accepted states. These researchers propose a cognitive behavioural theory based on socio-cognitive concepts to explain hypnosis.

Neither of these actually support any new innovative thinking in theoretical development. So the debate is whether hypnotic trance is a special state or not; and so, you have state and non-state theoretical debates taking place.

• State theorists argue that the effects of hypnosis are explained as a special neuro-psychological state.

Hilgard’s neo-dissociation theory views hypnotic trance as an artificially-induced state of psychological dissociation.

• Non-state theorists argue that hypnosis is the application of a number of ordinary psychological states, like focused concentration, expectation, and imagination. They explain hypnosis by comparing it to mainstream psychological concepts. Hence, why some psychologists support the cognitive behavioural theory of hypnosis.

A Modern Perspective of Hypnotherapy

Hypnosis has traditionally been defined as an altered state of consciousness, a trance like state, where responsiveness to suggestions is heightened and the recall of hidden memories is facilitated (Hilgard, 1986).

• The rationale for its use is that in the hypnotised state the conscious mind presents fewer barriers to effective psycho-therapeutic exploration, leading to an increased likelihood of psychological insight (Heap, 1988).

• Other opinions have considered the so-called “hypnotic trance” to be a very relaxed mental state attained via guided imagery and meditation (McMaster, 1992, 1996).

• Discrepancies in the defining points of hypnosis have arisen due to the large individual differences in “hypnotisability” (Crawford, Brown, & Moon, 1993) and the vast number of competing theoretical models (Kirsch & Lynn,1998; Kihlstrom, 1998).

• Further, theoretical explanations for hypnotic phenomenon have been found to be derived from dissociation theories (Hilgard & Hilgard, 1994).

Traditional definitions, though containing an element of truth, are very limited in their usefulness. Most tend to describe hypnosis from the client's position in the trance state without accounting for the role of the hypnotherapist. All imply a passive response to suggestions due to the state termed 'trance' (Yapko, 1989).

The hypnotic state and therapeutic change are created by giving suggestions to the client. Many types of suggestions can be given for many different desired responses, either to create the hypnotic state, or to create therapeutic change within the client. These suggestions can be applied at any stage of the therapeutic session and there are many ways to deliver these suggestions. in addition, we can apply the Laws of Suggestion to help create the responses that are required.

There are three main recognised laws of hypnotic suggestion, these are:

• The Law of Concentrated Attention - Concentrating your attention on an idea will lead to it spontaneously realising itself.

• The Law of Reversed Effect - The harder you consciously try to do something that is governed by the unconscious, the more difficult it becomes.

• The Law of Dominant Effect - A stronger emotion will always replace a weaker one.

These are important concepts that are deployed and used in hypnosis and different hypnotherapy approaches.

Remembering to Forget or Forgetting to Remember ?