Teaching Self Hypnosis

Shelly Johnson Gottsegen, MSW, LICSWHypnovations: Burlington, VTApril 11, 2010

“All Hypnosis is Self - Hypnosis”Erickson

What is self –hypnosis?

Similar to daydreaming in that the person is creating, relaxing, expressing and moving inside. The difference is that self- hypnosis guides one toward a desired result or goal such as pain control or relaxation.

Definition

Private, internal trance experience *Altered state of consciousness*Focused attention*Inner absorption*Communication between conscious and unconscious

mind*Patient-initiated experience of hypnosis independent of

therapist*Experience of self-control and self-efficacy outside of

office

Why Learn Self-Hypnosis?

Enhances self –care potentialsMind/body Relaxation Connects one to unconscious mind; the “Inner

voice”, the creative, intuitive part of the mind

Helps one to go beyond conditioning, upbringing, blocks and patterns

Inner awareness is heightened when one learns to relate to the unconscious

Erickson taught that

“ The unconscious is the manufacturer and the conscious is the consumer, and self –hypnosis is the bridge between them.

Clinician use of self-hypnosis:

Connects us to experience of hypnosisIncreases self awarenessRelieves burn outChange patterns and blocksRelieves stress

Patient Use of Self - Hypnosis

Stress / Tension Jaw Clenching / Teeth Grinding Fears / Anxieties /Phobias Sleeping Problems Depression Obsessive thinking and behavior Ego-strengthening Pain Allergies / Asthma Skin Problems

Application

• Reinforcement of goals for change in behavior / cognition / emotion

Amelioration of physical symptoms Stress reduction Self-relaxation Self-control Self-efficacy

Introducing Self - Hypnosis

After orientation to hypnosis After positive trance experienceAfter exposure to hypnotic phenomenaAfter development of induction/deepening skills

Teaching Self-Hypnosis

Generalize individual experience:“So, now you know how to…”“I wonder when you will do what you did here today…” ”In your mind, imagine yourself doing this, maybe later

today, maybe tomorrow…”When you do this for yourself again, where will you be

the most comfortable?”“How will you do this next time?”Ask patient to review in their mind what they did todayReinforce aspects of their reviewExplain that it may be differentOffer to make a CD or tape