A primary feature of hypnosis is dissociation, defined as the breaking of global experiences into their component parts. Dissociation gives rise to some of the most fascinating practical aspects of hypnosis in clinical contexts, such as pain management and the revivification of memories. Dissociation also paves the way for suggested responses to arise seemingly spontaneously, an enormously advantageous phenomenon called automaticity. In this workshop, we will consider the therapeutic roles of dissociation and automaticity and conduct an exercise in generating an “automatic” response.
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.
Clients progress by the realizations they achieve in treatment. Evocative methods prompt conceptual realizations that prompt adaptive states and identities. Experiential methods derived from hypnosis can be applied with and without formal trance.
The use of guided imagery using hypnosis will be demonstrated with a volunteer as a method of doing brief therapy. The volunteer may present a physical or behavioral difficulty for this demonstration. Also demonstrated will be the use of physical anchors.
This clinical demonstration will explore how the skillful use of therapeutic trance can produce positive change. A six step model will be demonstrated: (1) Opening a positive connection, (2) goal setting, (3) cultivating a relational trance field, (4) including client parts into field, (5) transforming identify patterns, (6) bringing changes into real world.
Individuals are often referred for mind-body oriented pain management services concerned that the referring physician thinks that their pain is not real or that it is “all in my head”. The way in which such concerns are addressed and the relationship between mind and body is explained to patients will be demonstrated.
This Keynote event offers a historical perspective of how Milton Erickson’s views of hypnosis evolved over a lifetime. By reviewing publications from his early works in the 1920s over the next half century Roxanna summarizes shifts on style and emphasis and emphasis. Using this framework, attendees can gain a deeper appreciation for the evolution of Erickson’s ideas as we self-reflect on the professional growth process and our own development.
Ericksonian hypnotherapy and the Self-Relations approach are experiential methods of change. In combination they can be synergistic. Psychotherapy is best when clients have a first-hand experience of an alive therapeutic process. Such dynamic empowering experiences pave the way for dynamic understandings. Bill O’Hanlon and Jeffrey Zeig will engage with each other and the participants to examine commonalities and differences in their 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.