Erickson resisted standardized hypnotic protocols because he found that everyone responded to hypnosis uniquely. Rather than seeking to force his preferred hypnotic phenomena, he cultivated whatever came naturally. Fortunately, clinical objectives, such as pain relief, can be achieved using a variety of hypnotic phenomena. This session will identify three broad classes of hypnotic experiencing and provide guidance on how to identify natural predispositions.
In therapeutic trance, a person releases from rigid ego positions, thereby opening to the resources and healing capacities of the creative unconscious. In this process, nonverbal communications—such as limbic resonance, felt sense, somatic centering, and musicality—are of central importance. The workshop explores how therapists may attune to these nonverbal patterns and utilize them to develop and guide creative trance work.
The modern perspective of hypnosis considers the role of attention and absorption in catalyzing adaptive responses. Hypnosis provides a context for developing new associations on multiple levels that have therapeutic potential. In this clinical demonstration, a hypnosis session will be conducted to assist the client in evolving resources that may be helpful to facilitate personal growth.
For many, Erickson set the prototypical example of how to be creative and often evoked a You Said What?! (YSW?!) reaction from clients and students. As we describe in the new book, Creative Therapy in Challenging Situations: Unusual Interventions to Help Clients (Hoyt & Bobele, 2019), such YSW?! interventions are particularly useful and effective when approaching unusual client problems.
In Turkey I had the opportunity to research the resources about Sufism (for example Rumi is the most well known sufi in the world and he lived in Turkey) and I studied it both as a student and as a therapist about 15 years. Sufism has actually two big steps. Understanding yourself and life first by mind than by heart. While I was creating the Optimum Balance Model (OBM) I think I did the first part. During this conversation I'll try to explain steps of the inner journey of a Sufi, I'll share my experiences and the story of how they try to tame their Ego.
Eating Disorders are a good example of massive interdependence among family members. Salvador Minuchin described families with Anorexia Nervosa as enmeshed families, and the interdependence it is certainly the base for enmeshment. Recent studies as well as more extended clinical experiences demonstrate that although bulimia appears to produce less reciprocal involvement, and some other form of apparent disengagement, we really can say that reciprocal interdependence in the family it always present, even if it assumes more hidden and complex forms.
Great strides have been made in PsychoSocial Genomics as well as the placebo effects in psychotherapy. We will share our views of how these new state-of-the-arts sciences can gently be integrated into psychotherapy sessions and improve outcomes.
Learn Ericksonian principals for encouraging men to participate and enjoy psychotherapy.
Utilize strategies for dealing with their own biases regarding difficult men.
Expand definitions of healthy masculinity.
Often students use hypnosis as a context for creating a safe or comfortable state of mind, suggesting away symptoms, or uncomplicated ego-strengthening by bolstering encouragement. This is little more than psycho-education done in trance. But hypnosis offers opportunities for far more therapeutic intervention. This open discussion format will help participants dig into this area and develop some expanded possibilities for therapy during hypnosis.