The implication of current research in neuroscience is that psychological experiences of novelty, enrichment, and exercise activate gene expression and brain plasticity (growth) in therapeutic hypnosis and psychotherapy. What does this mean for the actual clinical practice and rehabilitation as well as creative everyday living?
The process of human growth and development occurs through a series of identity cycles. The transition from one identity level to the next is precipitated by extraordinary experiences, positive or negative in nature, that destabilize the ordinary state of consciousness. The result is a naturalistic trance or special learning state. If properly utilized, these trances lead to new, more evolved states of human being; but if not welcomed and received, violence and other forms of destructive pathology result. This address will examine this process in detail, and discuss implications for development at individual, group, and cultural levels.
Hypnosis is commonly thought of as a tool to enhance the therapy. It also can be used as a "lens." The phenomenology of hypnosis can help us to understand an essential aspect of the trance state, the symptom state, the solution state and the therapist's state, thereby providing new options for treatment.
In naturalistic hypnosis, the therapist's resources are essential for effective therapy. The way in which the therapist establishes rapport, using minimal cues, generally induces deeper, more durable changes than complex and sophisticated techniques. The therapist's emotions and isomorphic behaviors provide tools for accessing immediate diagnosis and therapeutic change.
Too often out initial enthusiasm is diminished, replaced by resignation, dissatisfaction and burnout. Group discussion and individual exploration will help to clarify the passion that made participants become interested in their work. In a combination of conversations with other participants, group hypnosis and individual hypnosis this experience will become clearer and more vividly experienced. This will then allow for future experiences to be more readily accessible.