Running head: CBT HYPNOTHERAPY 1

CBT Hypnotherapy

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CBT Hypnotherapy

Question 1

According to Woody & Sadler (2016), hypnotic induction can be viable in various

situations for instance; it can be used in allowing the transpiration of new experiences and

behavior by providing a precise progression. Hypnotic induction is a primary and crucial

stage of the hypnosis session which enables the hypnotic therapist get access to viable

information that helps to guide on how to implement successive behavior. Hypnotic induction

is also useful in enabling the therapist to pre-determine the client’s interactions once in the

hypnotic state and helps the therapist in his/her approach towards the client in regards to the

words to use so as to extract intended responses (Montgomery et al, 2000).

There are different types of hypnotic induction and every induction varies as they

work different clients due to their personality differences (Gardner & Olness, 1988).

Induction is categorized into visual, auditory, movement imagery, storytelling, progressive

relaxation and eye fixation. Under progressive hypnotic induction, reading is carried out in a

slowly with rhythm. The hypnotist also used muscular relation, counting and visualization.

Under rapid hypnotic induction, there are three categories which include shock induction- the

client is often distracted by the hypnotist who later shocks them with a command of sleep,

confusion- where the client is goes into deep sleep due to overloading so as to relax, and

pattern interruption inductions. According to Barber & Moors (1972), conversation hypnotic

induction is also another induction technique where the client is often engaged in a

comfortable and relaxing conversation

Deepening is when a client's intensity is increased by absorbing them deeper into the

hypnotic state. Deepening in categorized into three categories based on TX Barbers Three-

Dimensional Model - relaxation, suggestibility and mental absorption under which deepeners
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are put either singularly or as a group (Barber & Moors, 1972). Different techniques fall

under different categories for instance the "stair case" deepener that falls under the relaxation

category and this is where a client is made to visualize that he/she is going down the stair

cases ta quite place. Progressive Muscle Relaxation is also used and under this the alteration

of muscles in progressive intervals is used and the countdown of "deeper deeper" is further

employed in the hypnosis. The mental absorption category employs the use of arm levitation

often used to check on the client’s response and progress.

After hypnosis, the client needs to come back to reality, to do this, the hypnotist

employs a technique termed as emerging (M.C.H, 2019). In essence, emerging is a technique

used to bring the clients back to reality with some control and making them aware of their

surrounding environment hence reversing the induction. It is affected by the use of a

confident voice which is raised gradually as compared to induction that is affected counting

downwards (M.C.H, 2018).

Question 2

There are a wide-range of techniques that can be employed and used on various

clients and clients' personalities differ and their relationships with their hypnotist and this

informs the kind of techniques that would be employed. These techniques are employed so as

to administer treatment for different problems to which they can effectively offer a solution

(Erikson, 1945). Hypnosis allows a form of flexibility due to the availability of a wide-range

of methods and techniques and so the hypnotist should avoid being rigid and stuck to one

technique (Erickson, 1945). Furthermore, the purpose of the hypnosis also informs the kind

of technique to be employed by the hypnotist. For instance, techniques that can help create an

interactive and cooperative and conducive atmosphere and environment can be employed

when the client exhibits a leaning and comfort towards the hypnosis or if a client has an
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interpersonal relationship with the hypnotist. The relationship can be one of father-child,

patient-doctor among others as this all stems from the client's personality and life

experiences. Different people undergo different life experiences and lessons.

As previously discussed under question one, the techniques can fall under the

relaxation technique, the arm levitation, direct and indirect suggestions, hypnotic trigger,

visualization and the handshake techniques as was famously carried out by Milton Erickson

to induce his clients (Erickson, 1995). Under the handshake technique, the hypnotherapist

pulls the client's hand to shock the client and get him/her off balance so as to interrupt the

subconscious mind of the client.

The eye fixation technique is also used. Under this, various methods can be used

for instance a pen or a pendulum where a client looks at something for a long time until the

succumb to a state of unconsciousness but physically stay awake. When a pendulum is used,

it is oscillated Infront of the clients in their eyes until they go into trance. This works in a

manner that the pendulum fixes the eyes in one state, keeping the conscious mind occupied

leaving the subconscious mind susceptible to the hypnotist's commands.

Anxiety can be treated using cognitive behavioral hypnotherapy. Anxiety has the

potential to change the behavior of people and their thoughts just like phobias for instance, it

can bring about restlessness, lack or low concentration, agitation, and physical effects such as

shortness of breath and the shaking of the hands and legs. It can be treated by employing the

relaxation technique, self-hypnosis, cognitive restructuring and desensitization (William,

1994). These techniques help to control and reduce the autonomic and subconscious

response. The ABC exposure script can help tackle phobias with identifying the Activating

Event, Beliefs, Consequences and unhelpful thinking styles.

According to Montgomery et al, (2000), hypnosis can also be used as a pain

reduction treatment before surgery instead of empathetic listening. Patients tend to feel less

anxious due to the continuous exposure through visualization of the fear and are able to

receive suggestions from the hypnotist and this has been a reliable technique over the years.
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References

Barber, T.X. and De Moor, W., 1972. A theory of hypnotic induction procedures.

American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 15(2), pp.112-135.

Erickson, M.H., 1945. Hypnotic techniques for the therapy of acute psychiatric

disturbances in war. American Journal of Psychiatry, 101(5), pp.668-672.

Gardner, G.G., and Olness, K., 1988. Hypnotherapy in the terminally ill child.

Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy With Children. New York: Grune & Stratton.

Golden, W.L., 1994. Cognitive-behavioral hypnotherapy for anxiety disorders.

Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, 8(4), pp.265-274.

Montgomery, G.H., DuHamel, K.N. and Redd, W.H., 2000. A meta-analysis of

hypnotically induced analgesia: How effective is hypnosis?. International Journal of Clinical

and Experimental Hypnosis, 48(2), pp.138-153.

The Morpheus Clinic for Hypnosis.,2019. The Stages of Hypnosis: Delving into

Deepeners[Online] Available at: https://www.morpheusclinic.com/stages-hypnosis-delving-

deepeners/

Woody, E. and Sadler, P., 2016. What can a hypnotic induction do?. American

Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 59(2), pp.138-154.