Teaching Self Hypnosis Shelly Johnson Gottsegen, MSW, LICSW Hypnovations: Burlington, VT April 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 potentials  Mind/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 hypnosis  Increases self awareness  Relieves burn out  Change patterns and blocks  Relieves 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 experience  After exposure to hypnotic phenomena  After 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 today  Reinforce aspects of their review  Explain that it may be different  Offer to make a CD or tape