Introductory Course in Hypnosis

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Hypnosis is a psychophysiological state of aroused, attentive, receptive focal concentration with a corresponding diminution in peripheral awareness and heightened suggestibility that has been used clinically for hundreds of years. The capacity for this state varies among individuals and is relatively fixed throughout the adult life cycle. Formal hypnosis, or willful dissociation, differs from spontaneous trance in that it is contextually an interpersonal mode of communication. The subject maintains a sensitive, attentive responsiveness to an operator during the trance state. In the formal induction of a trance, an individual enters this state of sustained, attentive, receptive concentration in response to either an inner signal or a signal from another person. This activates this capacity for a shift of awareness and permits more intensive concentration in a designated direction. All hypnosis is self-hypnosis, and can be learned by instruction or discovered intuitively. Data from fMRI studies of dissociation indicate alterations in the connectivity of the default mode network, the frontoparietal network and the salience network.

Hypnosis is an important skill for C-L psychiatrists to acquire. In medical settings, hypnosis can be used for control of anxiety, insomnia, or phobias that interfere with medical treatment. It is useful for pain control. It can be particularly helpful in situations where complex medical issues or medical frailty may limit the use of psychotropic medications. The benefits of hypnosis can be demonstrated in integrated medical settings, strengthening the C-L psychiatrist’s role within the care team, enhancing engagement, and benefitting patient care.

The course will begin with a brief historical, neuroanatomical, and theoretical review of hypnosis; myths and misconceptions regarding hypnosis will be addressed. This will be in the form of a recorded lecture. If participants want to attend the lecture, that will be arranged; however, the lecture will be available to all participants. The live course will include demonstrations of situations in which hypnosis can be of use for inpatients or outpatients in the C-L setting (general induction technique; trance for pain management, smoking cessation, needle phobia, and insomnia). The majority of the time will be spent in dyadic and small-group practice of inducing the trance state, in which participants will alternate between the roles of hypnosis practitioner and recipient. This will allow participants to develop skills and gain comfort with the techniques by practicing them. Participants will be given scripts to utilize for these experiential trances, which they will have for use with patients. The small-group experiential component will be supervised by faculty, all of whom are trained in hypnosis and/or are certified to teach hypnosis. The practice sessions will include time for questions, feedback and active learning. There will be a particular emphasis on how to introduce and normalize the use of hypnosis in the general medical setting among our medical colleagues and with patients. The course will discuss the use of hypnosis in diverse populations, address translation of English scripts into language appropriate text for non-English speaking patients, and address the use of hypnosis in individuals who have experienced trauma.