Utilizing Integrative Hypnosis in Practice: A Guide to Treating Anxiety Disorder and Trauma

Description

This presentation will focus on the use of hypnosis in the aftermath of a disaster.
Hypnosis is a powerful clinical tool utilized across diverse settings to catalyze healing and facilitate transformative change via imagery, suggestion, and subconscious exploration. What sets hypnosis apart is its capacity to engage consciousness at profound levels, fostering profound shifts in awareness, and behavior. "Widely applied in mental health, hypnosis generates positive outcomes including but not limited to bolstering self-esteem and helping initiate adaptive behaviors, anxiety reduction, trauma symptom alleviation, improving sleep quality, and optimizing performance" (American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, n.d.).

One of its notable strengths lies in its efficacy in treating anxiety disorders and trauma when integrated with complementary modalities like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness techniques. This integrative approach offers a compelling process of addressing discomfort and dysregulation and delving into entrenched thoughts, emotions, and past experiences. By tapping into the subconscious mind, the hypnotic process, combined with CBT and mindfulness, fortifies positive beliefs, challenges unproductive patterns, and amplifies therapeutic objectives. Over the long term, this integrated hypnosis fosters resilience, nurtures healthier relationships, and fosters self-trust and trust in others (Daitch, 2007).

This workshop aims to guide participants through the steps of the hypnotic process, encompassing crucial aspects such as ensuring safety when collaborating with clients, conducting trance work, and testing, and offering psychoeducation about the process and ethical practices. Additionally, it will explore a selection of cognitive and mindfulness techniques, as well as strategies for integrating these approaches to effectively support individuals dealing with anxiety and trauma symptoms. The workshop seeks to provide a comprehensive overview and equip attendees with practical tools for practice.



The presenter for this workshop is being supported through a partnership
between the UNC School of Social Work and the NC AHEC Program

Target Audience

Psychologists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors, Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialists, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, and other mental health professionals interested in clinical hypnosis.

Objectives

Upon completion of this workshop, participants should be able to:

• Define and explain clinical hypnosis
• Describe the hypnotic process with clients and liability/abreactions
• Outline the components of integrative hypnosis combined with CBT and mindfulness
• List skills to use with clients who would benefit from integrative clinical hypnotic techniques
• Illustrate the use of hypnotic techniques including trance work

Faculty

• Laurie Emmer-Martin, DSW, MSW, LCSW