Hypnotic Regression

Regression is a process used to take a person back to an earlier time. It has found its place on the stage, in such routines as the 'childhood birthday' or 'first day at school', in the clinic, usually in order to discover the cause of a phobia or addiction and even as a spiritual revelation, where regression is extended to previous lives. Many practitioners of hypnosis rate regression as a characteristic of deep trance. A few have gone so far as to rate the trance experience as ten stages, stage one being fully conscious down to stage ten being the deepest levels of trance achievable. Regression finding its place firmly in the depths of stage ten! Fortunately, for those of us that perhaps find it difficult reaching stage ten, this is not the case. Regression is so easily achieved that only the lightest of trances are required.

Natural regression occurs all of the time. The smell of a first loves perfume or an the sound of a favorite old record is all it takes to have us whisked back to the moment. Sensations that we may not have felt for decades flooding back in full glory! Hypnotic regression is a simple step from natural regression, yet it takes a very different path. Natural regression relies on cues o ranchors that spark off a distant memory, during hypnotic regression these cues are not available so the hypnotist uses an alternative process that gently leads the client to the desired period.

Before we look at techniques involved in hypnotic regression it is necessary to discuss a few safety issues. Firstly, hypnotic regression does not simply allow someone to view a past experience it allows them to re-experience it. So, for example, if you regress a client to a time when they were depressed, they will feel depressed! Another issue that may arise is known as an abreaction, this is an unpleasant response that is usually triggered as uncomfortable repressed memories resurface in the clients conscious mind.

Disassociation allows you to avoid putting the client through previous pains. This is simply a process of controlling the clients viewpoint of the experience, and will become evident during the techniques outlined below.

As for abreaction, the only method of avoiding such an uncomfortable experience is to recognize it if it happens and know how to deal with it. In certain situations an abreaction is desirable, some consider that allowing a client to relive a painful experience is necessary in order to relieve a client of negative emotional energy held in the subconscious. Many psychological therapies are indeed based on getting the client to abreact. For more information on abreactions and how to deal with them see the   page.

HOW TO REGRESS A CLIENT

To regress a client have then seated comfortably and induce the hypnotic state using a standard script. Once you have deepened the trance state have the subject imagine that they are in a room with a table and a single chair in the center, the walls are filled with shelves stacked to the ceiling with many many books.

Have them take the first book from the shelf, and open it to the first page. On this page is today's date and a picture of themselves as they are today. Allow a few moments for the visualization to develop them ask them to turn the page, telling them that the next page will reveal another picture, only this time the date will be exactly one year earlier. As too will the image.

Have the subject keep turning pages until they reach the age at which you would like to regress them to. If you are regressing to a former life have the subject continue to turn the pages until there are no more photographs, or the person that appears in the photographs suddenly changes. They may need to move on to the next book from the shelf before finding another picture.

When they have found another picture it will be a representation of a former life. Have them tell you the year and describe the picture. If the image appears to be a happy pleasant one you can go ahead and use it. If the image is sad or depressive continue until a more desirable image is found.

This process will take the client steadily back through each life in succession. They are free to stop at any time they wish in order to explore the life further or continue on to others. An alternative to this method will be to ask the client to take a book form the shelf that they feel particularly attracted to and see what it contains. Here it is possible to skip many lifetimes and use the power of the subconscious mind to draw the client to an experience they may wish to relive.

When you and your client are settled on a photograph and you have established that it is a positive experience have them watch as the image begins to move. Playing the photograph as though it were a movie screen. Next tell the client to imagine that the screen is growing and encourage them to step inside the scene. Have them explore the situation and if it is safe to do so tell them to approach the former life. On the back of the neck of this previous existence they will find a zipper, have them open the zipper that runs all the way down the persons spine and step into their body in much the same way as you would a boiler suit.

Once inside tell your client that they know only what they knew then, seeing through those eye hearing thorough those ears etc. This is a shift from a disassociated position (watching themselves in the movie) to an associated position (actually being themselves and looking through their eyes etc.) From here you can begin to question your client bout the existence.

If you client begins to abreact you should reassure them that they are actually safe and here in the room with you now, allow them to disassociate from the person and drawn back into the room from where they are able to see the experience once more as a photograph.

Upon awakening the client it is important to bring them fully back to the present. This can be done by requesting that they are now moving forward to the present day bringing with them all that they have learned and leaving behind those things which are perhaps best left at a subconscious level. Be sure they are fully relocated in their present body and existence before the wake up script and reiterate that they are their current age etc.

Hypnotic regression really is that simple! And it can reveal some fascinating insights of the past. I have include some personal case studies below to whet your appetite. Regression is a very powerful experience, remember to follow safety precautions and have your client well-being top priority! Never let your curiosity run away with you at the expense of your client comfort.

PERSONAL CASE STUDIES

Past life regression is one of the most fascinating aspects of hypnosis. I have been fortunate enough to regress many people to previous carnations and have listed a couple of the interesting cases below. The names have been changed to protect the identity of the people involved.

CASE 1: POLLY

Polly Millan was a previous carnation of a dear friend of mine, she lived and worked in London in the early 1900's. The building in which she worked was situated on Maynard road. Born in London in May 1901, Polly met her unfortunate demise just 23 years later in 1924. Her job required her to sign documentation, so, as an experiment, I had Polly sign her name on numerous sessions. Polly's hand writing was extremely flamboyant and decorative, a stark contrast to the rather tiny and neat hand writing of her present incarnation. The signatures always matched and the handwriting was consistent throughout. Polly was very well spoken and polite, although she did reveal that she had often gotten drunk with friends by drinking cough medicine! Polly was able to recall both parents names and gave details of her fathers profession. She was a complete delight to converse with and lead a positive energetic lifestyle.

CASE 2: ELIZABETH

I have spoken with Elizabeth on a number of occasions, yet have been unable to determine a specific time period for her life. It appears that she lived at some time around the year 1250. There has never been an indication as to where she lived, but she describe her home as made of wood. It was a single story building comprising of either a single room or perhaps two rooms, one being a living area and the other sleep quarters.

Elizabeth was rather unusual in a number of ways, when questions as to her fathers profession she replied that he made places to sit. I asked if he made chairs and she did not understand the word. She settled on calling chairs 'sitters'. She also could not understand music, she had confessed to enjoying dance and had agreed to give a demonstration of the way she dances for her father. She would not dance to conventional music as it was unfamiliar. I played a classical piece on the guitar, which was rejected in the same manner. She insisted that the music was not the same as her Bo (the name she gave for her father) played it. Eventually we settled on a rhythmic drum beat. Elizabeth performed a series of exquisite movements to the slow beats that were rather similar to modern ballet, although much more animated and tribal in presentation. She paused a great deal between movements and the whole thing seemed as though I was witnessing a stop animation sequence played back in slow motion.

Elizabeth was unable to write, although she said that she did leave messages for her friend (I believe this to be her sister) in the sand. I handed her a pen and drawing pad, asking for a demonstration of these symbols. She held the pen as you would a stick if you were writing in the sand, with all four fingers and her thumb straight out and her arm stretched out full length, she rested the pad on the floor as she made the symbols. She explained the symbols to mean 'meet me at home', and a further symbol that represented her name. During another session I asked if she were able to write the message 'meet me at home' and each symbol was identical. On yet another occasion she was asked to interpret the symbols as I wrote them. She immediately recognized the symbols that she had originally included in the message.

Elizabeth was a pleasant worry free young woman. I sensed that she was around the age of 14 years during our meetings yet she was mature far beyond her years. Playful, yet level headed and responsible, she loved her family (especially her farther, Bo) dearly and was happy to converse. She appeared a little bemused at my apparent ignorance of certain things, such as the word 'sitters' and my obvious misunderstanding of music the way Bo played it!

CASE 3: LUCY

Lucy was in her early teens when she died and led an troubled and abused life. She lived with her employer, a businessman called Mr. Schlo (phonetic spelling) in what appears to be London, perhaps around the 1800s. Her job was to deliver messages for Mr. Schol and in return she was given a place to sleep and a daily meal, which consisted of scraps of stale bread! She was terrified of her employer and was forbidden to look at the messages she was required to deliver. Mr. Schlo regularly sexually abused Lucy and her timid subservient personality echoed a life of fear.

Due to the nature of this life, I only spoke with Lucy on one occasion to prevent her current incarnation suffering the emotional torment of an unpleasant experience. During this single session my clients posture shifted dramatically, her shoulders and back contorted, chest sunk inward and her facial expressions filled with sorrow and pain. Her voice became soft and broken, stuttering her speech and frequently apologizing for her verbal errors.

Lucy was a dear little girl that lead an unfortunate life. I would have liked to have found a happier moment to converse yet this was never possible.

My client is far more outspoken than Lucy, yet character traits can be seen that exist in them both. It seems that Lucy's scars have lived on and this is no more evident than in my clients hatred of authority figures and distrust of older males.

CASE 4: PLUS SIGNS!

Case four is a little different in that it is not a past life regression experience but a regression to early childhood. A client that had been regressed to her toddler years for her own curiosity was very proud that she had just learned to write her own name. She clutched the pen in her fist and scrawled her name on the pad. Under her name she drew three plus signs. At the time I was unsure as to what these may be, but her mother later confirmed that when she was a child she always insisted on signing her own name of birthday cards and put in some kisses! The Plus signs were meant to be kisses! Neither she nor her mother nor I knew why she had drawn plus signs rather than an 'x'. A few weeks later a birthday card which she had indeed signed as a small child was found in a memorabilia box... and not only did the handwriting match but all of the 'kisses' were little plus symbols. She had only drawn them this way for a few weeks when she first learnt to sign her name!

BOOKS ON REGRESSION

If you would like to learn more about hypnotic regression, please take a look at the selection of books featured below. To view the title, hover the mouse pointer over the book image. For further details (including online reviews, synopsis, larger image and ordering information) click on the link below the book. Choose from the UK or US links depending on your location. (Both sites ship worldwide)

Alien Abduction and Hypnosis

In a landmark decision, the National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH) has issued a policy statement concerning alien abductions. So far as I am aware, this is the first time that any of the professional bodies representing British hypnotherapists has made an official pronouncement on this issue, let alone issued guidance to its members.

The driving force behind this initiative is psychotherapist and hypnotherapist David Howard, with whom I have been working for some time. David is an NCH member with an interest in a wide range of paranormal and psychic phenomena. He has worked with several people who believe they are abductees/experiencers (some of whom I have referred to him) and had for some time been concerned that this important strand of his work was one that was unsupported by any official guidelines. On the basis of his knowledge and experience in this field he raised this issue with the NCH and offered some suggestions. I too submitted a paper to the NCH, drawing on my official Ministry of Defence research and investigation into this phenomenon, and subsequent work that I have undertaken in a private capacity.

On 14 December 2001 the NCH wrote to David Howard, enclosing a document entitled Alien Abduction Policy Statement. The text was as follows:

“With the recent interest in this phenomenon, the National Council for Hypnotherapy issues the following guidelines.

Alien Abduction Clients (AAC) are to be treated with the same respect and courtesy as any other client. Regression techniques that should be utilised with AACs should follow these guidelines:

a.  Non Directive

b. Non Leading

c. Preferably Indirect

The therapist must also be aware of the implications of False Memory Syndrome (FMS). We recommend that therapists should not introduce the subject of Alien Abductions unless the client refers to it in the first instance. Additionally, therapists should not engage in corroborating these incidents. Therapists should take a neutral stance on the existence of Alien Abductions.

Because of the necessity of regression in AACs it is essential that therapists ensure that clients’ full medical and mental health history is taken before the commencement of treatment.”

It is important to recognise that hypnotherapy and regression hypnosis are controversial techniques, on which there is much scientific disagreement (For a summary of this, see my book The Uninvited, especially chapters three and four). It is also important to recognise that the NCH is not the only organisation seeking to meet the needs of British hypnotherapists. But in issuing this policy statement the NCH has taken a courageous step and has recognised that whatever the truth behind claims of alien abduction, there are numerous people actively seeking advice and help on this issue, who genuinely believe that they have had an experience. Up until now, such people have had nowhere to turn. Now this is no longer the case, and abductees can rest assured that if they approach any hypnotherapist affiliated to the NCH, they will at least be dealing with somebody who has a basic awareness of the phenomenon, coupled with an understanding of how best to take forward an investigation. This is a major step forward, and should be welcomed.

What else is planned? David Howard intends to write something for the NCH’s journal and will act as the organisation’s focal point on this issue. He’ll also post something on their website www.hypnotherapists.org.uk NCH members will be encouraged to undertake research into this subject, whether as part of a post-graduate qualification or independently. At the discretion of the editor, their results may be published in the Hypnotherapy Journal. Both the website and the journal can be used to bring together people with research interests in this area, and it is likely that a debate will start on the NCH’s discussion forum.

Prior to the NCH’s initiative, the best known fact about British ufology’s attitude to regression hypnosis was probably the British UFO Research Association’s 1987 moratorium on the use of this technique. Although well-intentioned at the time, this moratorium now looks somewhat quaint. One cannot put the genie back into the bottle, and the fact of the matter is that increasing numbers of British abductees and experiencers are now seeking to undergo regression hypnosis. While any responsible ufologist will ensure that these people are aware of both the pros and cons of this technique, we must listen to the people at the sharp end, and pursue the sort of witness-led methodology advocated by researchers such as Dr Alex Keul and the late Ken Phillips. After all, if somebody wants to be regressed, they will doubtless find a way. This being so, we should at least ensure that such people are able to seek out somebody who has an awareness of the phenomenon and is prepared to look into cases in an even-handed and responsible way.

Doubtless, the debate about regression hypnosis will continue. But when mental health professionals such as Harvard Medical School psychiatrist Dr. John Mack say that the technique is valid both diagnostically and therapeutically, we have to be grown-up about the issue. Like it or not, regression hypnosis is here to stay. It may enable us to access new data about the phenomenon and in many cases it leads to a catharsis on the part of the abductee/experiencer. This being the case, we need to ensure that the technique is used responsibly. With this in mind, the work undertaken by David Howard and the NCH should be welcomed by anyone with an interest in the alien abduction phenomenon and anyone - believer or sceptic - who is genuinely concerned for the welfare of the abductees and experiencers themselves.

This new initiative will doubtless be supported by some and opposed by others, and a lively debate is sure to ensue. Provided this is carried out in a constructive manner, this can only be of benefit to ufology.

UFO Abductions and Hypnosis

Review of Abducted: How People Come to Believe They Were Kidnapped By Aliens by Susan Clancy

Telepathy and Emotion in Alien Society By David M. Jacobs

"Straight Talk About UFO Abductions"

The International Center for Abduction Research (ICAR) is an organization devoted to the dissemination of trustworthy information about UFO abductions. The ICAR will provide accurate information to therapists and lay individuals who are interested in abductions, and help them cope with the variety of problems that arise from the use of hypnosis and other memory collection procedures. David M. Jacobs is the Director of the ICAR and there is a small Board.

A Personal Note:

I wrote most of the information on this web site based on more than 42 years of UFO research.  In addition, since 1986 I have conducted over 1,000 hypnotic regressions with abductees.  I have tried to be as objective and as "agenda free" as possible.  I have no New Age, spiritual, religious, transformational, or transcendent program to promote.  I try to stay as close to the evidence as I can.  However, there is no possibility that I have avoided error.  The majority of evidence for the alien abduction phenomenon is from human memory derived from hypnosis administered by amateurs.  It is difficult to imagine a weaker form of evidence.  But it is evidence and we have a great deal of it.  Still, readers must be skeptical of what I say and of what all others say in this tangled arena of alien abductions, hypnosis, popular culture, and memory.  Abduction researchers are mainly amateurs doing their best to get to the truth knowing that objective reality may elude them.

David M. Jacobs, Ph.D.

Dr. Jacobs is the author of 

The UFO Controversy in America

djacobs@ufoabduction.com

Hypnosis and Alien Abductions

HYPNOSIS AND ALIEN ABDUCTIONS... by Maurice Kouguell, Ph.D., BCETS.

An Alien Abduction is the removal of an individual or individuals without their consent from one physical location to another. During this procedure the individual may feel helpless, paralyzed and unable to control their wishes. The purpose of the abduction is reported as being part of a physical or psychological experiment performed by non-humans. At the conclusion of the procedure the individuals are returned to their original location. The individuals may or may not remember their experiences.

Since hypnosis seems to be the tool most often used by researchers on abductions, it isimportant that the community of hypnotists and hypnotherapists become aware of the possibility that some clients might suddenly begin to experience a spontaneous regressionrelated to their 'adventures' with U.F.O's.

"There are hundred of these people and the stories that they tell are strikingly similar and similarly incredible; they were abducted by aliens, taken aboard a space ship, poked, examined, sometimes scarred and eventually returned home".

That was the first paragraph from an article published in the Boston Globe on June 13th, 1992 titled "Abductees gather at M.I.T." Sponsored by an M.I.T. physicist and a Harvard psychiatrist, the closed invitation-only conference was neither sanctioned nor endorsed by M.I.T.

In my research, I gathered data from the Roper Organization Poll (see below) entitled, "unusual Personal Experiences"; studied articles by Dr. John E. Mack, Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School at the Cambridge Hospital and Founding Director of the Center for Psychological Studies in the Nuclear Age; David Jacobs, Ph.D., Associate Professor of History at Temple University and a leading academic authority on Unidentified Flying Objects; and Ron Westrum, Ph.D., Professor of Sociology and Interdisciplinary Technology at Eastern Michigan University and Associate Director of the Center for Scientific Anomalies Research.  This led me to further investigation and I contacted John Carpenter, psychiatric therapist and clinical social worker from Springfield, MO who has done extensive work with "abductees" as well as Dr. Kenneth Ring, originator of The Omega Research Project.  Other researchers were contacted as well to obtain an update on their studies.

The opening statement of the publisher of the Roper Report reads as follows: "This report to mental health professionals presents the combined data from three national surveys of nearly 6,000 adult Americans. It is the collective effort of a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, a professor of sociology of Eastern Michigan University, an associate professor of history at Temple University, a psychiatric therapist from Springfield, MO, an author and researcher from New York City and a large polling organization. This report on unusual personal experiences concerns the relations between these experiences and what can be called the 'UFO Abduction Syndrome'.  The Roper Survey, which was conducted in 1991, suggests that hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of American men, women and children may have experienced abduction or abduction-related phenomena.

This article and the survey, which was based on 5,947 Americans, are not intended to convince anyone that this phenomenon exists. The findings show that the experiences known to be associated with abductions are surprisingly prevalent in the American population.  Of 1,868 people, 1,033 reported one experience; 484 reported two experiences; 238 reported three experiences; 10l reported four experiences and 18 reported 5 experiences. The incidence of abduction experiences are reported as being two percent of the population. Indications are that the percentage might actually be somewhat higher. With 6,000 respondents for the study, one out of every fifty Americans may have had UFO abduction experiences. The conclusion can be drawn that UFO abduction experiences are much more common than many professionals are aware of.

With this staggering number of people it is not unlikely that many therapists, psychotherapists, psychiatrists as well as hypnotists and hypnotherapists may encounter people who belong to that group.

A frequently raised question is:  Is it possible that these reports of abductions are, or might be indicative of, psychotic conditions or people suffering from severe psychopathology?  Consistent reports from clinicians with reputable practices and credentials state that the percentage of people with psychopathology who seek attention and perpetuate hoaxes have been documented to be less than five percent. One also wonders what purpose a hoax would fulfill to a person who is fearful of telling others and thus receiving unwelcome publicity?

Another interesting point is that similar detailedreports have been submitted by people from different parts of the world.  Finally, many of the people interviewed or seeking help would prefer to be seen as mentally unbalanced rather than having had these experiences.  Some mental health professionals are quick to jump in and categorize those individuals as paranoid, delusional or psychotic because such encounters are so incredible that they are interpreted as pure fantasy. In researching the field, it appears that many children are also reporting similar incidents.  How do we definitely know that these experiences do or do not exist?  If we allow ourselves, as therapists in any field of mental health, to deny the existence of such a phenomenon are we then not closing the door to people who have finally taken the risk of ridicule in order to share their experiences?  They need to be listened to. Our belief system must not interfere with our clinical judgment.  When we allow our own sets of beliefs to contaminate our judgmentthen our effectiveness is greatly impaired.  Refuting or rejecting the possibility of the abduction phenomenon does not negate the possibility of its existence.

Dr. Jacobs, in his book, "Secret Life," reports that the foremost problemthe abductees have is the emotional isolation. Although the abductees desperately want to discuss the phenomenon with friends and relatives they find it difficult to tell anyone about their experiences for fear of ridicule.

In a column written by Dr. Thomas Bullard, one of the foremost Ufologists today, he states "hypnosis has become a basic tool for the investigation of missing time. The apparent memory block yields to hypnosis and releases the full and fantastic abduction story to conscious recall.  When people with vague misgivings, partial memories or life-long obsessions recover abduction memories under hypnosis, they are often able to fit together the loose pieces of their lives, gaining an understanding and measure of control over the disturbing after effects of these experiences."

John Carpenter, in his article "The Reality of the Abduction Phenomenon," states"There are those who claim that it is their altered state of mind during hypnosis which is responsible for the creation of an abduction scenario.  Other concerns are that the subject desires and expects abduction tales and the hypnotist subtly leads the client who is very suggestible in that state of mind. It has even been suggested that a psychic client can read the hypnotist's thoughts and knows how to respond."  He further states thatabout one third of abduction experiences are recalled without any use of clinical hypnosis.

There are many visual sightings of UFO occupants from around the world. The most common ones are frequently described as being 4 1/2 ft tall, skinny, gray humanoids with large heads and big eyes.

Many of the documented "leaks" from scattered military and governmental sources regarding the clandestine retrieval of crash sources and alien bodies consistently describe the same skinny little gray beings that others are claiming as abductors. (Leonard Stringield, UFO-Crash-Retrievals: Amassing the Evidence Status Report) However, other species are also reported.

We need to be aware of our own system of beliefs and prevent it from interfering with the establishment of rapport, trust and confidence with our clients.  We must put aside our tunnel vision, blinders, sets of beliefs and accept unconditionally so that we can hear our client's story unfolding. We need to remember that the client has taken a giant step unto a new journey of exploration. It goes without saying that the therapist must be well equipped to discern confabulations or psychotic processes while accepting the reality of the experience to that person.

Working towardsinforming the uninitiated abductee or therapist to the field, a work in progress authored by Michelle Guerin and this writer will provide the readerswith guidance. Ms Guerin has been abducted several times. Techniques and procedures will be discussedand transcripts of several sessions under hypnosis will illustrate the process. Based on the authors’ experience and extensive exposure to support systems and networks, they have anticipated and compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions by therapists new to the field as well as from abductees about to have their first experience in regression.

Maurice Kouguell Ph.D., BCETS. Director: Brookside Center for Counseling and Hypnotherapy 997 Clinton Place, Baldwin New York 11510 phone/fax 516 868-2233 e-mail contact@brooksidecenter.com Brookside

Trichotillomania and Hypnotherapy

Posted At : December 14, 2009 12:35 PM | Posted By : Tim Brunson, PhD

by Tim Brunson, PhD

Trichotillomania, which is also referred to as trich or TTM, is an impulse control disorder, which involves recurrent hair pulling, resulting in a noticeable loss of hair. It includes compulsive and habitual pulling of eye lashes, eye brows, head hair, and pubic hair. Tension before the act and feelings of pleasure immediately thereafter are typical affect conditions. The obvious hair loss results in increased anxiety and often may lead to an avoidance of social situations and even intimate relationships. Reduced self-esteem is also a factor. Hypnotherapy is a valid clinical intervention for trich treatment.

The pervasiveness of trich is unknown. One study indicated that 11% of surveyed college students reported symptoms. 92 to 93% of sufferers are female. Scalp hair puling (80%) is the most prevalent form of trich. This is followed by lash pulling (46%) and brow pulling (43.5%).

Although trich's onset normally occurs during the teen years, it may start as early as the pre-teen period. Many younger patients eventually outgrow it. However, if they do not, it will last until their adult years. Too many medical doctors ignore young trich patients as they frequently believe that they will eventually outgrow it. This popular belief may prevent the patient from receiving adequate treatment during the period when it may be best resolved.

Trich is frequently believed to be an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Therefore, there is a belief that it can respond to serotonin reuptake blockers. Nevertheless, there are important differences between trich and OCD. The term trichotillomania was formally incorporated into DSM-III (Diagnostical and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) in 1987. It is still classified as an impulse-control disorder much like pyromania, kleptomania, and pathological gambling.

Considering the many comorbid affect conditions may be the key to truly understanding trich and designing hypnotherapeutic interventions. Hair pulling often occurs in sedentary and contemplative situations while the patient is sitting or lying down and absorbed in thought or concentrating on other tasks. Therefore, their acting out is often out of their awareness or in only partial awareness. Also, tension, boredom, anger, depression, frustration, indecision, lethargy, and fatigue states are also frequently occurring.

Trichotillomania is a learned behavior that is programmed into the patient's brain during a period in their life when that organ does not have sufficient neo-cortical resources to understand and deal with threats. Therefore, it is somewhat of a defensive reaction that is programmed (i.e. habituated). Should the patient not grow out of it, the resulting neural networks become so strong that they tend to resist any type of intervention.

The psychotherapeutic treatment of trich must address empowerment, self-efficacy, the development of dissociative awareness, and habit replacement. Essentially, they must develop the belief that they can change, awareness of hair pulling incidents, and replace their self-image and habitual behavior. The re-focusing of their mind can help the neural networks associated with the malady to wither and strengthen new pathways.

Hypnotherapy is uniquely suited as an intervention for the treatment of trichotillomania. This is for two primary reasons. First, the essential nature of hypnosis is to bypass resistance to change. This is often referred to as a bypass of pattern resistance, a bypass of the critical faculty, or splitting the symptoms from the cause. However, the primary fact here is that once a trich sufferer becomes an adult, the associated neural patterns are extremely strong and, like any entrenched patterns, they will resist any efforts to change.

The second benefit of the therapeutic use of hypnosis is that it has the ability to create alternate neural pathways. Posthypnotic suggestions that a hair pulling incident trigger a dissociated awareness are extremely helpful, as the patient will automatically become aware and potentially able to find alternate behaviors. Additionally, hypnosis can be used to install new behaviors, to establish and reinforce the patient's belief that they have the power to alter affect responses, and to establish a more empowering self-image. Guided imagery, direct and indirect suggestions, parallel communication, and humor are among the variety of techniques available to a competent hypnotherapist.

With the use of hypnotherapy, it is important for the clinician to realize that treatment is not a short-term solution. A trich hypnotherapy protocol should include several weekly or bi-weekly sessions with the clinician. These sessions should sequentially focus on self-efficacy/empowerment, dissociative awareness, establishing alternate responses, and reinforcing new self-imagery. These sessions should be aided by having the patient listen daily to self-hypnosis recordings that either focus on the specific topic of the previous visit or a multi-topic audio, which is specifically designed to address trich.

Trichotillomania is a very resistive mental pathology. Symptom-based treatment is ineffective in the long-run. Solution-based treatment attacks the underlying entrenched neural patterns and attempts to establish alternate ones. Although there are many psychotherapeutic avenues that may show significantly positive results, hypnotherapy appears to be the best suited.

Tim Brunson, PhD, is the Executive Director of The Hypnosis Research Institute and the developer of Advanced Neuro-Noetic Hypnosis^TM.

Hypnoanesthesia

Hypnosis is not used as often as an anesthetic agent as it is to control nonsurgical pain. On at least two occasions, the author was unable to find a local obstetrician who employed hypnosis in deliveries for pregnant women desiring such a referral (both of whom were excellent hypnotic subjects).

Probably the principal reason for this state of affairs has been the development of reasonably safe, rapidly effective chemical changes. It has been estimated that only 25% of the population are capable of developing a sufficient degree of hypnoanesthesia for its use as the sole anesthetic in relatively minor procedures, such as fracture settings, tooth extractions, the changing of burn dressings, or the removal of sutures in frightened children.

Other reasons advanced for reluctance to use hypnoanesthesia include: the amount of time, training, and skill required for a hypnotic induction; the fact that hypnosis may be contraindicted in patients with psychological problems such as psychotics, borderlines, or depressives; and the fact that hypnosis is regarded as Òquasi-scientificÓ in some professional circles

With respect to the contraindication of hypnosis and hypnoanesthia in patients with certain psychological disorders, some clarification is required. There is no absolute contraindication for hypnosis in any patient. Some patients may present a higher risk of developing adverse reactions such as spontaneous regression and aberrations, that are undesirable in a nonpsychotherapy context, and control of these require some skill on the part of the hypnotist. Hence, with these patients, hypnoanesthesia requires a hypnotist who is well trained in psychotherapy. It should not be attempted by a physician who lacks such training. It is unfortunate that physicians in general and anesthesiologists in particular, do not receive more training in psychodynamic concepts and hypnosis, for it is usually convenient to have a psychologist induce hypnoanesthia except in an emergency situation.

If initial hypnotic inductions are performed are performed in a leisurely, unhurried atmosphere and the patient is given the opportunity to develop an anesthesia and experience it tested successfully, his confidence in the adequacy of the procedure will be greater. Patients should be trained to enter a trance state either on a posthypnotic signal or by self-induction to save time in the operating room and render them independent of the presence of the particular hypnotist who trained them.

A patient so trained may be able to have a successful hypnotic delivery under the care of another obstetrician should the one who trained her in hypnosis be available at her delivery. Also, the ability to reenter hypnosis rapidly on a signal is a valuable safeguard should a patient inadvertently awaken during surgery. This contingency is quite unlikely, particularly if the hypnotist instructs the patient not to awaken until directed to and if he or she continues a steady flow of trance maintaining chatter throughout the operation. Preliminary trials of hypnosis may be presented to patients with reservations about the procedure as exercises in relaxation to prevent their fears from producing reactions that may lead to false impressions of their abilities as subjects.

The value of hypnosis may also extend to the prenatal period------It not possible to do successful hypnoanesthia, or for that matter any other hypnotic procedure, unless the therapist takes the time necessary to establish a proper rapport with the patient and the latter develops confidence in the hypnotists ability and concern for his welfare In addition to its use as an anesthetic, hypnosis can be a valuable pre-operative and postoperative adjunct to the care of surgical patients.

J. Barber and Mallin (1977) advocate the use of hypnosis during the fitting of contact lenses and emphasize the careful choice of words in the framing of suggestions. Words that denote the same thing may vary widely in their connotations and implications and thus may not be equally effective in framing suggestions.

'You're getting very speedy': Woburn hypnotist helps teen swimmer cut his time

Posted At : January 12, 2007 12:07 AM | Posted By : Tim Brunson, PhD Related Categories: 

By Tenley Woodman Monday, September 27, 2004 (An article printed in The Boston Herald)When Swampscott teen Craig Lewin needed to shave seconds off his race time in the pool, he opted for an alternative training method: hypnotism.

"My problem was that I had all the skills to swim, but I needed to cut 9 or 10 seconds off my time. I had the ability to do it, but I'd get in to swim and I couldn't get any faster," said the 18-year-old Boston College freshman. That's when he turned to Tom Nicoli, a board certified hypnotist in Woburn. "The hypnotism was more to not be self-conscious so I wouldn't have to think about it. It helped me relax and have confidence," Lewin said. Lewin not only beat his own high school record, but he is now a member of BC's Division I swim team.

The use of relaxation, hypnosis, and imagery in sport psychiatry

Posted At : October 3, 2005 4:51 PM | Posted By : Tim Brunson, PhD Related Categories: 

Sports and Athletics

Hypnosis is a procedure during which a mental health professional suggests that a patient experience changes in sensations, perceptions, thoughts, or behavior. The purpose of this article is to briefly describe the use of various methods of relaxation, hypnosis, and imagery techniques available to enhance athletic performance. The characteristics that these techniques have in common include relaxation, suggestibility, concentration, imaginative ability, reality testing, brain function, autonomic control, and placebo effect. Case studies are provided for illustration.Division of Psychology, Cooper University Hospital, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Camden, NJ 08103, USA. newmark-thomas@cooperhealth.edu

Effect of Meditation on Respiratory System, Cardiovascular System and Lipid Profile

Posted At : December 17, 2006 2:33 AM | Posted By : Tim Brunson, PhD Related Categories: 

Respritory Ailments

Researchers from B. J. Medical College in Ahmedabad, India, studied numeric measures of respiratory function, cardiovascular parameters and lipid profiles of those practicing Raja Yoga meditation. The profiles of short and longterm meditators were compared with those of non-meditators.

Guided Imagery Significantly Increased Oxygen

Posted At : December 14, 2006 5:57 AM | Posted By : Tim Brunson, PhD Related Categories: 

Respritory Ailments

Researchers from Tai Po Hospital in Hong Kong explored the effects of guided imagery and relaxation in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), using a randomized controlled design. Half of 26 participants were allocated to the treatment group, consisting of six practice sessions of guided imagery, while the control group was instructed to rest quietly during the six sessions. At the seventh session, physiological measures were taken and compared to previously, to see if there were any changes in partial percentage of oxygen saturation, heart rate, upper thoracic surface electromyography, skin conductance and peripheral skin temperature.

Evidence-based hypnotherapy for asthma: a critical review.

Posted At : April 29, 2007 11:12 AM | Posted By : Tim Brunson, PhDRelated Categories: 

Respritory Ailments

Asthma is a chronic disease with intermittent acute exacerbations, characterized by obstructed airways, hyper-responsiveness, and sometimes by chronic airway inflammation. Critically reviewing evidence primarily from controlled outcome studies on hypnosis for asthma shows that hypnosis is possibly efficacious for treatment of symptom severity and illness-related behaviors and is efficacious for managing emotional states that exacerbate airway obstruction. Hypnosis is also possibly efficacious for decreasing airway obstruction and stabilizing airway hyper-responsiveness in some individuals, but there is insufficient evidence that hypnosis affects asthma's inflammatory process. Promising research needs to be replicated with larger samples and better designs with careful attention paid to the types of hypnotic suggestions given. The critical issue is not so much whether it is used but how it is used. Future outcome research must address the relative contribution of expectancies, hypnotizability, hypnotic induction, and specific suggestions.Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. danbrown1@rcn.com

Patient satisfaction after oral and maxillofacial procedures under clinical hypnosis.

Posted At : November 7, 2007 3:30 AM | Posted By : Tim Brunson, PhD Related Categories: 

Dentistry

The Department of Maxillofacial Surgery of the University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein/Campus Lübeck offers intraoperative hypnosis since 2002. Besides clinical evaluation by controlled studies, patients attitudes should be included in the judgement on such adjuvant procedure not established in general.70 patients of the department treated under combined local anaesthesia/hypnosis rated their individual postoperative patient satisfaction by standardised questionnaires. A control group of equal size and demographic/surgical features consisted of patients that were treated without hypnosis in the same interval.Results of the inquiry indicate that intraoperative hypnosis increases significantly postoperative satisfaction of oral and maxillofacial patients. Satisfaction is attributed decisively on the adjuvant procedure.Mund Kiefer Gesichtschir. 2007 Oct 19 Hermes D, Trübger D, Hakim SG. Klinik für Kiefer- und Gesichtschirurgie, Universität zu Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Germany, mail@dirkhermes.de.

Management of the anxious patient: what treatments are available?

Posted At : July 3, 2007 3:17 AM | Posted By : Tim Brunson, PhD Related Categories: 

Dentistry

Fear of the dentist is a common phenomenon. There are many ways of dealing with anxious patients and this review aims to present the most common methods available to general dental practitioners. Clinical Relevance: An ability to deal with anxious patients successfully is undoubtedly a practice builder. Anxious patients can be stressful to manage but they often become the most vocal advocates of dentists that they trust.School of Dentistry, Higher Cambridge Street, Manchester M15 6FH.

Dent Update. 2007 Mar;34(2):108-10, 113-4.

Anxiety: its management during the treatment of the adolescent dental patient

Posted At : November 23, 2006 2:41 AM | Posted By : Tim Brunson, PhD Related Categories: 

Dentistry

Surveys indicate that the adolescent, in particular, suffers from acute anxiety in relation to dentistry. This anxiety is promoted by the general opinion they form of dentists and dentistry through portrayal by their peers and the media.

Changes in neurophysiologic parameters in a patient with dental anxiety by hypnosis

Posted At : November 3, 2006 3:16 PM | Posted By : Tim Brunson, PhD Related Categories: 

Dentistry

It was hypothesized that dental anxiety, which leads to neurophysiologic alterations in heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure prior, during and subsequent to dental treatment, can be influenced by medical hypnosis. We report the positive impact from non-invasive hypno-sedation during dental implant surgery on a 54-year-old female patient who experienced neurophysiologic reactions as a result of the psychosomatic process of dental anxiety (dental anxiety scale value = 13). The neurophysiologic changes during dental surgery performed with and without hypnosis were compared after the patient underwent the same surgical treatment protocol. This case report was part of a study designed to evaluate hypnosis as a non-invasive therapy for dental-anxious patients over six sessions using subjective experience and objective parameters, which included electroencephalogram, electrocardiogram, heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation of the blood, respiration rate, salivary cortisol concentration and body temperature.Department of Prosthodontics, Maxillofacial Surgery and Neurology and Psychiatry, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany. seitner@prothetik-erlangen.de

Hypnosis in dentistry

Posted At : June 3, 2006 1:36 PM | Posted By : Tim Brunson, PhD Related Categories: 

Dentistry

In this article, the nature of hypnosis will be discussed, together with its therapeutic/facilitator role in the control of the potential problems that occur in everyday dental practice. It is the vital relationship between a patient and therapist which produces the desired results of hypnotherapy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A holistic approach, in patient care, emphasizes the treatment of an individual who has a dental problem.

Psychological approaches in the treatment of chronic pain patients.

Posted At : September 5, 2008 2:57 AM | Posted By : Tim Brunson, PhD Related Categories: 

Pain Management

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain is a prevalent and costly problem that eludes adequate treatment. Persistent pain affects all domains of people's lives and in the absence of cure, success will greatly depend on adaptation to symptoms and self-management. METHOD: We reviewed the psychological models that have been used to conceptualize chronic pain-psychodynamic, behavioural (respondent and operant), and cognitive-behavioural. Treatments based on these models, including insight, external reinforcement, motivational interviewing, relaxation, meditation, biofeedback, guided imagery, and hypnosis are described. RESULTS: The cognitive-behavioural perspective has the greatest amount of research supports the effectiveness of this approach with chronic pain patients. Importantly, we differentiate the cognitive-behavioural perspective from cognitive and behavioural techniques and suggest that the perspective on the role of patients' beliefs, attitudes, and expectations in the maintenance and exacerbation of symptoms are more important than the specific techniques. The techniques are all geared to fostering self-control and self-management that will encourage a patient to replace their feelings of passivity, dependence, and hopelessness with activity, independence, and resourcefulness. CONCLUSIONS: Psychosocial and behavioural factors play a significant role in the experience, maintenance, and exacerbation of pain. Self-management is an important complement to biomedical approaches. Cognitive-behavioural therapy alone or within the context of an interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation program has the greatest empirical evidence for success. As none of the most commonly prescribed treatment regimens are sufficient to eliminate pain, a more realistic approach will likely combine pharmacological, physical, and psychological components tailored to each patient's needs.Turk DC, Swanson KS, Tunks ER. University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195-6540, USA. turkdc@u.washington.edu Can J Psychiatry. 2008 Apr;53(4):213-23.

Relationship of headache-associated stressors and hypnosis therapy outcome in children.

Posted At : September 3, 2008 2:56 AM | Posted By : Tim Brunson, PhD Related Categories: 

Pain Management

This study examined potential psychosocial stressors of 30 children with headaches (mean age, 15 years), and the role of insight generation in the outcome of hypnosis therapy. The mean duration of headache occurrence was 3 years. All of the patients were instructed in how to use hypnosis-induced relaxation and headache-related imagery to improve their symptoms. Thirty-seven percent reported their headaches were associated with fixed stressors, defined as caused by events over which patients had no control, while 63% reported variable stressors, defined as modifiable by the patients' actions. Four patients were lost to follow-up. Overall, 96% (25/26) reported a decrease in headache frequency and/or intensity following use of hypnosis. However, prior to insight generation patients reporting fixed stressors were significantly less likely to improve than those reporting variable stressors (p = 0.018). Thus, insight generation may be more important for achievement of improvement in children whose headaches are associated with fixed stressors.Anbar RD, Zoughbi GG. Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, State University of New York Upstate Medical University Syracuse, NY 13110, USA. anbarr@upstate.edu Am J Clin Hypn. 2008 Apr;50(4):335-41.

Hypnosis in the management of persistent idiopathic orofacial pain--clinical and psychosocial find.

Posted At : August 29, 2008 2:54 AM | Posted By : Tim Brunson, PhD Related Categories: 

Pain Management

This controlled and patient blinded study tested the effect of hypnosis on persistent idiopathic orofacial pain (PIOP) in terms of clinical and psychosocial findings. Forty-one PIOP were randomized to active hypnotic intervention or simple relaxation as control for five individual 1-h sessions. Primary outcome was average pain intensity scored three times daily in a pain diary using visual analogue scale (VAS). Secondary outcome measures were pain quality assessed by McGill pain questionnaire (MPQ), psychological symptoms assessed by symptom check list (SCL), quality of life assessed by SF36, sleep quality, and consumption of analgesic. Data were compared between groups before and after treatment using ANOVA models and paired t-tests. The change in VAS pain scores from baseline to the last treatment (t4) was (33.1+/-7.4%) in the hypnosis group and (3.2+/-5.4%) in the control group (P<0.03). In the hypnosis group, highly hypnotic susceptible patients had greater decreases in VAS pain scores (55.0+/-12.3%) when compared to less susceptible patients (17.9+/-6.7%) (P<0.02). After the last treatment there were also statistically significant differences between groups in perceived pain area (MPQ) and the use of weak analgesics (P<0.03). There were no statistically significant changes in SCL or SF36 scores from baseline to t4. In conclusion, hypnosis seems to offer clinically relevant pain relief in PIOP, particularly in highly susceptible patients. However, stress coping skills and unresolved psychological problems need to be included in a comprehensive management plan in order also to address psychological symptoms and quality of life.Abrahamsen R, Baad-Hansen L, Svensson P. Department of Clinical Oral Physiology, School of Dentistry, University of Aarhus, Vennelyst Boulevard 9, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark. rabrahamsen@odont.au.dk Pain. 2008 May;136(1-2):44-52.

Ericksonian Hypnosis

On this site you will find informative articles, enlightening transcripts of actual therapeutic sessions, and sample "Ericksonian" scripts upon which you can base your original scripts... recognizing, of course, that Dr. Erickson never used scripts nor would he recommend them. They are, however, a learning tool many find useful in formulating therapeutic strategies.

Based on the remarkable work of Milton H. Erickson, MD, contributors include Steve Andreas, William D. Baker, Ed.D., Betty Alice Erickson, MS, LPC, David Gordon, Bradford Keeney, Ph.D., Roxanna Erickson Klein, RN, Ph.D., Dan Millman, Doug O'Brien, Daniel Short, Ph.D., David Whyte, Michael Yapko, Ph.D., and Gunther Weil, Ph.D.

These fine contributors generously provide information and sample scripts for free, as a public service, to promote the understanding of this important work. Please support them in return.

What are the differences between subliminals, traditional hypnosis, Ericksonian hypnosis, and NLP?

There are many different methods that are used to reach the unconscious mind to invoke change.  Each method has it's strengths, and it's weaknesses.Every person is different, so it stands to reason that the best results will be obtained by utilizing the methods that each person will respond to. With "Traditional Hypnosis," we simply make direct suggestions to the unconscious mind. In case you are wondering, as far as I’m concerned, the terms unconscious and subconscious are interchangeable – they refer to the same part of the mind.  This type of hypnosis works well for someone who generally accepts what they are told without a lot of questions.Most hypnosis tapes sold today are based on "Traditional Hypnosis" techniques.  The reason for this is that it really doesn't take much training or experience to write a script and just tell someone what to do.  Unfortunately Traditional Hypnosis is not very effective for people who are critical or analytical in their thinking processes.

By contrast, Ericksonian Hypnosis and Neuro-Linguistic Programming techniques work far better for most members of today's generation!  This is because today people are taught to question everything, rather than just follow the flock.  So these methods do work very well on people who are critical or analytical in their thinking processes.

These methods are much more effective at reaching and influencing the unconscious.   However, it can take years of training, study, and most of all experience to learn how to apply these techniques effectively.  This is a challenge that is only accepted by the truly dedicated.

With "Ericksonian Hypnosis," we use little stories, called metaphors, to present suggestions and ideas to the unconscious mind. This is a powerful and effective method, because it usually eliminates the blockage of and resistance to suggestions that is often caused by the conscious mind. There are two types of metaphors, "Isomorphic," and those of the imbedded command or "interspersal" nature. Isomorphic metaphors offer direction to the unconscious by telling a story that offers up a moral.  The unconscious draws a one-to-one relationship between elements of the story and elements of a problem situation or behavior.

For example, if a child is telling a lot of lies, the parent might tell the child the story about the "Boy who cried wolf."  The unconscious would draw a parallel between the boy in the story and the child and realize that telling lies could lead to disaster, so the child would probably stop lying.

With the Embedded Command technique, the hypnotist tells an interesting story that engages and distracts the conscious mind.  The story contains hidden indirect suggestions that are usually accepted by the unconscious.

Process Instructions direct the unconscious to find a memory of an appropriate learning experience from the past, and apply that experience to making a change in the present.

With "Neuro-Linguistic Programming" (NLP), rather than using suggestions, we use the same thought patterns that are creating a problem, like an excessive appetite or stress, to eliminate the problems.  NLP in the hands of an experienced practitioner can be very effective.  I utilize several different NLP techniques in my practice, and in my pre-recorded programs.NLP Anchoring: Have you ever heard an old song and had it trigger feelings from the past?  When you originally heard the song, you were feeling those feelings, and they unconsciously became attached to the sound of the song.  So the song became an Anchor for the feelings.  Now when you hear the song, it triggers the same feelings again.

Anchoring can be a very useful technique.  Suppose that you have a memory of being commended for having done something well in the past.  If you go back into that memory, you'll be able to recreate the feelings of self-esteem that you had at that time.  If you touch two fingers together while you re-experience those feelings of self-esteem, that touch will become an anchor for the feelings of self-esteem.

Now suppose that you want to create motivation to stick to a diet and lose weight.  If you make a mental image of yourself with a thin, sexy body, and simultaneously trigger the anchor - (press the two fingers together again), your unconscious will attach the feelings of self-esteem to the image of you with the thin body and your level of motivation to lose weight will increase dramatically.

NLP Flash: This is a very powerful Neuro-Linguistic Programming technique that can be used to "flip" things around in the unconscious, so that thoughts and experiences that used to trigger feelings of stress actually trigger relaxation instead.

The NLP Flash technique is also extremely effective for extinguishing conditioned responses.  For example: If a smoker has a cigarette while drinking coffee, his/her unconscious will pair the two behaviors together so that he/she automatically gets a craving for a cigarette anytime he/she has a cup of coffee.  The Flash will cause the smoker's mind to disassociate the image of a cigarette from the cup of coffee so that he/she does NOT get an urge to smoke just because he/she is drinking coffee.

NLP Reframe: Reframing is a potent technique for helping a person change their behavior.  We must respect that there is a positive outcome (secondary gain) accomplished by all behaviors.  The outcome is always important.  However, the behavior that is used to accomplish that outcome is unimportant.

When we do a Reframe, we negotiate with the unconscious and have it assume responsibility for making the client unconsciously substitute some other behavior that is as effective and available at accomplishing that secondary gain, but is more consciously acceptable to the individual.  You can read more about reframes in my article entitled:" "The Secret Formula For Successful Change"

Video Hypnosis / NLP (trademarked Neuro-VISION ) is a new form of commercially available hypnotic program. The techniques used in Neuro-VISION are based on the Neuro-Linguistic Programming technology, which works based on the utilization of a person's existing thought processes instead of post-hypnotic suggestion.

Over 70% of the population learns much more quickly and easily by seeing, rather than by hearing. Think about it. If you feel an urge to eat or smoke when watching television, it’s because your mind recorded the video image of either food in your hand, or a cigarette in your hand, and then associated that image, with the image of the TV. You never spoke to yourself and told yourself in words to associate them together, did you?

And that’s why Neuro-VISION, which was awarded a US Patent is so effective. Neuro-VISION is not hypnotic in the traditional sense, relying on the spoken word; rather, it is a form of video hypnosis. And, if you’ve ever cried when watching a sad movie, then you know how effective video hypnosis can be at reaching the unconscious mind.

Neuro-VISION is a computerized video, so rather than listening to a hypnotist’s words, the mind learns to automatically change feelings and visual associations at the unconscious level using visual movies.

The Neuro-VISION video method trains the unconscious through a high-tech simulation process called computerized digital optics. This frees a person of their compulsions, urges, and tensions and allows a smoker to quit effortlessly, and a dieter to lose their appetite. Results start with the very first viewing!

With "Subliminal" programs, the recording has two tracks.  One track contains a cover sound that is heard by the conscious mind.  The cover sound could be anything from music to nature sounds.  The second track contains direct suggestions that are heard by the unconscious mind.  These suggestions are repeated hundreds of times during a session.

Subliminal programs can be played in the background while you are working, or watching TV.  You don't have to stop what you are doing and relax like you do with hypnosis or NLP.  Subliminals can be an addition to hypnotic programs.  But Subliminals will never replace Hypnosis or NLP because they are not as effective! They don't even come close!! Some studies have claimed that it can take up to 80 hours of listening to a subliminal recording before it will have any effect on many people.

The link below is for an article by a psychologist who has done 30 years of research on Subliminals.  He claims that Subliminal psychodynamic activation works, but it is a visual form of Subliminal, and not auditory like the recordings being sold.  However, these visual Subliminals only enhance psychotherapy by improving people's moods which enhances treatment effectiveness.  On their own, he says that Subliminals do nothing.  And in the article he makes no claims that audio Subliminals work at all.

Trance Is Different For Everyone

By: People Building, Mon Dec 3rd, 2007 Trance is different for everyone, and every person has reported a different experience of it to the next. The best way to explain how trance is helpful to create change in human behavior is if you think about the fact that you have a conscious and an unconscious mind. Your conscious mind is the part that does all of the moment to moment thinking, it's the logical mind, the mind where you might "chit chat" to yourself throughout the day, where you keep short term information.

For example, if I asked you to remember this sequence of numbers 47294754836261034 for the next half an hour, you'd be repeating it to yourself in the conscious part of your mind (unless you write it down or perform a kind of memory technique- for information of how to use memory techniques and remember information visually visit our website and click on one of the links that say "would you like to create more wealth and abundance in your life".) If however, you are someone who knows their own phone number off the top of your head (most people do), you'll know that this is a number that you do not need to constantly have to repeat yourself. That is because it is stored in your unconscious mind. So your unconscious mind is your long term memory, it tends to be linked more with feeling than thinking and is also where all of your behaviours and habits are stored (good ones and bad ones)- so all of the things you do without thinking about doing them are operated from this part of your mind. That is why in hypnosis, it is important for the hypnotherapist to use hypnosis scripts that are going to allow access to that part of the clients mind because this is usually where the changes will need to be made.

As a qualified hypnotherapist myself (General Hypnotherapy Register United kingdom Registered), I always tend to follow the same basic format when inducing a trance with the client I am working with. That is, I use an induction, a deepener and then the script for the problem we are looking to solve. I personally tend to spend about half an hour doing the induction and deepener and then another half an hour doing the script for the problem we are looking at. If at the end of that session, the client reports back saying that they have had an enjoyable experience of trance and found it easy to do, then the next time I meet with them, I will use the same induction and deepener. This is because I think that they will get used to hearing those particular words and then begin to relax. It works on the same principal as the NLP technique called anchoring- an internal feeling created by some kind of external stimuli. The way that the hypnosis induction and deepener script works is that the client will hear those words and go into the relaxed state.

Cure Insomnia with Non-Medicinal Sleep Aids

By: Veronika Namesse, Tue Nov 27th, 2007 There are several treatments for insomnia symptoms. However, cure for insomnia is not totally limited to medications. The easiest way to solving sleeping issues is through the help of natural sleep aids. Here are some of the treatments used for insomnia that do not involve medications.

Enhanced Sleep Hygiene

Good sleep hygiene refers to the sleep habits and sleep environment that help you sleep. When you improve your sleep hygiene, you will help your body conquer insomnia. Make sure to assess your practices and make changes in your daily activities when you need to. This will help you determine if behavioral and environmental adjustments are beneficial in helping you get some sleep.

Stress Management and Relaxation Methods

Stress management and relaxation techniques can also be considered as forms of sleep aids. Try to learn how to relax both your physical and mental faculties. Since it's hard to subjugate the function of the body and the minds right away, you need to wind them both down an hour before you go to sleep. You may discover that getting yourself immersed in a good book or playing relaxing games like solitaire are some relaxing activities that may help your body unwind.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a method of treatment that involves inserting very small needles into certain areas of the skin. It is regarded as one of the most effective sleep aids in that it produces a very soothing effect on the nervous system. Acupuncture works by triggering the manufacture of chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin, which is a component believed to help a person sleep.

Acupressure

One other method of helping people with insomnia is acupressure. This method is done by systematically putting finger pressure on different areas of the body, as with acupuncture. Compared to the acupuncture method that needs a professional acupuncturist's assistance, acupressure is a technique that you can accomplish yourself.

Massage

Massage therapy induces sleep. Through a good rubdown, the body is able to go into an extremely relaxed mode, which is a precursor to a restful sleep. Two of the massage techniques that are the most effective in conquering insomnia are foot and back massages.

Hypnosis

Another proven sleep aids that aid sufferers in their inability to sleep restfully and helps them totally overcome insomnia is through hypnosis. The technique involves inducing a person suffering from sleeping problems to a hypnotic state and prodding the subconscious mind to find out the reason for the inability to sleep. This is then ensued by encouraging the mind at the subconscious level to alter its mind-set.

The final step involves willing the mind and body to rest and thus, to fall asleep without difficulty. For most people, this type of insomnia treatment is one of the most effective sleep aids as it yields results in only two or three hypnotherapy sittings.

Hypnosis and Pre-and Post -operative Surgery

Often patients will exhibit concerns that they will be unable to give up activities proscribed by their medical-care team such as excessive alcohol consumption, smoking and eating certain foods. If left untreated all these psychological factors could provoke a negative mind-set. Many studies have shown that a patient's outlook toward upcoming surgery as well as to the post-surgical period can greatly affect recovery outcome. Essentially, patients with a poor outlook may have a poor prognosis (it has also been shown that those patients who are socially isolated and come from the lower-income bracket are also at greater risk post-surgically). However, those patients showing an optimistic outlook recover more rapidly and show an increased survival rate. Studies have shown that those patients undergoing hypnosis as an integral part of the pre- and post-operative procedure demonstrate an increased rate of recovery and decreased levels of post-surgical infection. Hypnosis and Surgery As the patient should be set up for success from the beginning, pseudo orientation in time needs to be included during each session, taking the patient to a time in the future when they have successfully recovered from the operation. It goes without saying that the therapist must ensure that the pseudo-orientated future is realistic and achievable. As well as this, ego boosting should also be included during each session to help the patient create a positive mind-set and to enhance inner resources. Reframing approaches should not be ignored. It is an undeniable fact that the patient’s lifestyle may have led to the reason they are in hospital at this time. Reframing the situation so that the patient perceives that they are taking control of their future thus ensuring a speedy recovery as well as living a long, healthy and productive life will be of obvious benefit to the therapeutic process. Induction of Hypnosis A word needs to be said about the induction process used with cardiovascular patients. Any induction will suffice. However, as part of the therapeutic process it is important to teach the patient how to relax, so progressive relaxation approaches should be the therapist's primary consideration as this will indirectly provide a format for the patient's own approach to relaxation. Dealing with Fear Many patients will understandably have a fear of the process of surgery and of their stay in hospital. Imagination techniques (a preferable term to visualization as asking someone to visualize implies that they have to 'see' and therefore does not take into account the other modalities of representation) should be used to take them through their hospital experience and beyond: being admitted to hospital; the pre-surgical stay; going to the operating theatre and receiving their pre-medication; undergoing the operation; their time in the recovery room; being taken back to the ward and their post-operative stay; leaving hospital; and making a full recovery. Hypnosis and Pre-and Post-operative Surgery - 2 should show the patient coping calmly, confidently and with appropriate self-control. Again the therapist needs to be realistic with regard to the outcome. Self-hypnosis should be taught and the patient encouraged to practise these imagination techniques. If the patient has specific fears with regard to their stay in hospital, for example needle phobia, these need to be dealt with as a separate issue. Life style Issues Many patients presenting for cardiovascular surgery will be advised to make life style changes. These may include reducing their alcohol intake, stopping smoking or reducing their weight. Here hypnosis takes an obvious role and standard approaches are used. For the patient there is the added incentive of the increased health risk should they not change which will provide a strong motivator that can be used during therapy. Care should be taken, as some may view these lifestyle changes as a short-term adaptation and may subsequently revert to old behaviours once they have recovered (a possible indication that they are experiencing denial with regard to the seriousness of their heart condition). Stress management should be taught, as stress responses will place an added burden on an already damaged heart. The use of self-hypnosis should be included and encouraged, as the trance state will reduce any stress-induced increase in cardiac activity. It is also known that the trance state will reduce blood pressure (high blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major risk-factor in coronary disease). Post-surgery In many cases pre-surgical hypnotic intervention will help to prevent post-surgical depression. However, biochemical changes occurring after the use of anaesthetics may result in the patient developing an endogenous depression. This state should be dealt with appropriately. A positive mental attitude towards the healing process needs to be encouraged. Various approaches can be taken with an emphasis placed on healing the body: asking the patient to imagine the heart healing and becoming more healthy; imagining the wound healing, the tissue and bone knitting together with the minimum of scarification; imagining the body protecting the wound, the immune system guarding the incision and preventing infection. Pain may be an issue and the full range of pain control techniques should be employed: glove anaesthesia; imagination approaches; control room of the mind; dissociation. The therapist should also help the patient to maintain recommended lifestyle changes. Cardiophobia Some patients develop cardiophobia: an abnormal awareness of their heart beating. This can provide a focus for neuroticism after any heart event or surgical intervention, as the patient may believe that naturally occurring changes in the beating of the heart herald a catastrophic heart event. Consequently they become over-protective towards their cardiovascular system and this may lead to a sedentary lifestyle (that in its own right will be damaging to the heart). Desensitization approaches and reframing should be used. Regression A word of warning with regard to the use of regression with patients who have experienced a heart event needs to be given. Do not take them back to the event as they may re-experience it with inevitable consequences. If carrying out a diagnostic approach, regressing the patient year by year, avoid the year in which the event occurred for the same reason. If possible regression should be avoided. Conclusion Hypnosis can play an important role in cardiovascular surgery by helping to create a positive mental outlook for the surgical patient. This, combined with helping the patient undertake and maintain life style recommendations, can significantly increase the prospects of a full and healthy recovery.

Hypnotherapy-Case History-Phobia

Hypnotherapy -

Case History - Phobia

Things aren't always what they seem - looking beyond the phobic response

Jo Nicholson BSc(Hons), RGN, PDHyp

Introduction

My initial training was in nursing and I spent a brief time as a general nurse before discovering psychiatry. I had always been interested in 'what makes us tick' and so moving into psychiatric nursing seemed to be an obvious step. I trained and worked with adults before specializing in child, adolescent and family psychiatry. After some years in this area I moved away from nursing to study Psychology. It was during my final undergraduate year, when I studied a module in hypnosis, that my interest in this field developed. It seemed to pull together my earlier training. I graduated and began lecturing in health studies and psychology, my interest in hypnosis continued although it was several years later that I began my training with the LCCH. I am now an LCCH supervisor and trainee lecturer. I work as a freelance stress consultant and clinical hypnotherapist in Glasgow.

To quote Patrick Casement's book 'On Learning from the Patient', this particular patient taught me a lot about looking beyond the presenting problem. Mae was one of the first patients I saw. At the time I was working a few hours a week in an emotional health centre as a stress manager and was also just beginning to introduce hypnotherapy into the service.

Referral

Mae was referred to the service via her G.P. She had been off work for the last 6 months with depression following her husband's death 2 years earlier. Mae was initially seen by the counsellor within the health centre and had made good progress. Towards the end of her time with the counsellor, Mae began talking about her phobia of mice and was referred on to me to look at this. I had seen Mae around the centre and we had spoken briefly. She was well motivated and interested in exploring the use of clinical hypnosis.

Background

Mae was a 52-year-old woman with three grown-up daughters, all married and living within the local area. Mae lived alone since her husband's death and had recently begun refurbishing the house but found that she had no interest in spending time in her home and had begun to view it as a bit of a millstone.

Her married life had been difficult. Her husband had enjoyed a drink but became aggressive and her time with him had been quite unhappy. She felt a mixture of relief and guilt about his death, but, through her work with the counsellor, Mae was able to address these feelings and begin to move forward. Although she had been prescribed antidepressants, Mae only took them briefly as she didn't feel comfortable taking the medication. She informed her G.P of this and at that point a referral was made to the emotional health centre.

Lifestyle Mae had a full-time job, which she found quite demanding, but wanted to maintain it until she retired in 8 years' time. Mae was just returning back to work after a 6-month absence when I began seeing her.

She had a good network of friends and met with them socially 2 or 3 times a week. Mae also visited her daughters regularly and, when able to, would look after her grandchildren. Mae was a fit and active woman, with a wonderful warm sense of humour. She was petite and recognized that in recent months her weight had dropped and she had lost some of her 'sparkle'. She was now, however, beginning to pay closer attention to her dietary needs and also taking some time out for herself away from family and friends. Mae described herself as generally a healthy person, a non-smoker, who enjoyed the occasional drink.

Case history Mae could recall having a phobia of mice from early adulthood. She remembered being heavily pregnant with her first child and moving into rented accommodation with her husband. The house was overrun with mice and she became so distressed that she packed her bags and went around to her mother's house. As her mother opened the front door to let her in, a mouse ran out and across Mae's foot. Mae remembers feeling surprised and terrified by this sequence of events. She had earlier memories of mice at her grandmother's house, but described feeling no fear. Her grandmother had told her to clap her hands if the mice came close to her. Mae did this and it became a game to her as a young child.

Mae now found it difficult to even think about mice. During her house refurbishment a mouse had found it's way into her kitchen, Mae heard the scurrying noise and ran out into the street screaming. She was unable to return home until the house had been thoroughly checked for any further evidence of mice. She was concerned that she may be looking after her grandchildren, see a mouse, and just run and leave them. She felt that, over the years, her phobia had intensified.

Mae and I drew up a Subjective Unit of Disturbance Scale (SUDS), Mae was able to think of twenty examples that we included on the scale. Her most extreme anxiety, which she clearly rated as 100, was seeing a mouse in her home and the tails of mice particularly bothered her. Interestingly she rated the word 'mouse' as 50 on the scale. She initially would refer to them as 'm' and it seemed a real struggle for her to say the word. Iif she did she would speak it very quickly and quietly, and she would also grimace as she did so. Other aspects she found disturbing were pictures of mice. She described a pair of household rubber gloves that apparently had a mouse logo on their packaging, and she also felt uncomfortable with the cartoon mouse 'Jerry' from 'Tom and Jerry'.

Hypnotherapy

The first session with Mae consisted of history taking and drawing up a SUDS. I also talked Mae through progressive relaxation and breathing techniques. We established a place of relaxation, which for Mae was a favourite holiday resort. I met up with Mae a week later and we began the hypnodesensitisation. I induced trance through progressive relaxation and installed the I.M.R's. Though Mae's level of comfort/discomfort was evident through her facial expressions during this session Mae was able to comfortably move up the scale from 0 - 30. She found the image of mice shaped sweets a bit of a struggle, but was able to relax and move on.By the end of this session Mae had moved past 50 on her scale. We ended the session with lots of ego strengthening and Mae left feeling very positive.

The following week and the third session we continued with the hypnodesensitisation. Mae had had quite a busy week at work and was finding her return to work tiring. As the session progressed there were several 'sticking points', in particular it was difficult to move further up the scale from Mae's anxiety about hearing the sound of a mouse in the house. Towards the end of the session, Mae made an interesting remark, where she linked her late husband with the appearance of a mouse in her home. Mae then dismissed this thought as silly. However we did begin to discuss what this fear meant to her. There had been some shift in Mae's thinking with the hypnodesensitisation, but we were both feeling that there was something else around that was creating this 'stuckness'. Mae was open to exploring this through regression.

On the fourth session, using regression via diagnostic scale, Mae's I.M.R's indicated several key points in her life: at the age of 2l years, married; 17 years, leaving home; and around age 2/3 years Mae's facial expressions indicated that this was a time of sadness for her. Once out of trance and during our discussion Mae recalled being in hospital as a very small child, she thought possibly about 2/3 years old. She described being in a large TB ward, where visiting was restricted. The nurses were kind but busy. Mae also remembered that there were mice about at night-time and the nurses would clap their hands and 'shoo' the mice away, just as grandmother would do a few years later. Mae didn't remember feeling scared, she saw the mice as 'playmates' and, as she continued to talk, Mae said that she felt a sadness and an overwhelminq feeling of loneliness. We talked around this and discussed how the mice seemed to have become the objects of or receptacles for these difficult feelings. Mae was able to relate to this and agreed that we would work on this next week.

Fifth session, using advanced pseudo-regressive therapy, Mae was able to 'revisit' her early experience with new insights. She comforted her 'inner child' who sobbed as she felt so scared and lonely, and Mae hugged and held her tightly. The 'inner child' work was continued on the sixth session, which also included further additional ego strengthening. Mae responded very positively to this work and, although she felt sadness about being left alone in hospital as a small child, this sadness was the sadness of an adult rather than the raw pain and isolation she felt as a child. Mae now felt able to tolerate mice. Although she said that she would never be a great lover of them, they no longer felt so powerful and she felt pleased with that.

Summary and discussion

As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, this was a great learning experience for me on so many different levels. I learned, or should I say, relearned, that things aren't always what they seem. I learned that it's okay to try alternative approaches if the first one isn't progressing (of course I had been taught that anyway, but somehow I had to experience it for myself to know that it really is okay!). I learned that the client will give you clues if you are open to them. Again I had experienced in my 'play work' with children, that the same themes and patterns will be repeated, you just have to pick up on them.

I met up with Mae several weeks later and she was very positive. She had regained her 'sparkle' and said that she had moved on with her life. She still enjoyed meeting up with friends, but also now found that she liked to have her own time at home.

Hypnosis and Infertility

Hypnosis and Infertility

BY SJANIE HUGO

It is estimated that one in seven UK couples have difficulty

conceiving – approximately 3.5 million people. A wide variety

of factors affect fertility, and there are many potential causes

of infertility. These range from physical and chemical factors to

emotional and psychological factors.

A diagnosis of infertility – whether it is explained or unex-

plained – can leave you feeling extremely disappointed and

without hope. But does this mean the end of a life long

dream? Or are there things you can do to increase your fertil-

ity and help you become a parent?

I have worked with many couples who have wondered if they

will ever conceive and have a family of their own. Some of

these couples have been trying for a baby for years and some

have spent a lot of time and money on medical treatments like

IUI (intra-uterine insemination), GIFT (gamete intrafallopian

transfer) and IVF (in-vitro fertilisation) without success. In

other cases, couples have made the decision to start a family

in their later years, only to discover that becoming pregnant

is taking far longer than they expected.

Regardless of each couples unique situation, they all found

their struggles with infertility highly emotional and stressful –

which is completely understandable, given everything that they

have to go through. The ongoing striving for a baby can leave

you feeling out of control and hopeless. It can affect every

aspect of your life, from your relationships with your partner,

family and friends to your career. It can be the first real test

of a marriage. The majority of infertile women report that

coming face to face with their infertility is the most upsetting

experience of their lives.

Unfortunately, their heightened levels of stress and increased

feelings of depression can have a very harmful effect on their

ability to conceive and carry a baby to full term. Research has

shown that stress affects the hormonal system, which may

result in decreased fertility. Stress causes tremendous changes

in the body’s biochemistry and rhythms. It upsets the body’s

natural balance, and over time can lead to chronic health

problems. After prolonged stress the Sympathetic Nervous

system can become hyperstimulated. A hyperstimulated

nervous system sends less blood to the uterus and ovaries,

thereby impairing their optimal functioning. (Lewis, R. P ‘The

Infertility Cure.' Little, Brown and Company, January 2004.

Pg193.)

So how can Hypnotherapy help?

Hypnotherapy can help to decrease the effects of infertil-

ity, and it can also work to help increase fertility. By reduc-

ing stress, relieving anxiety, lifting depression, increasing the

patient’s sense of control, it enables patients to cope better

and take better care of themselves during this time. As part

of the treatment I teach people a variety of self-help tools,

including self-hypnosis, which can be used for many things

including deep relaxation. Relaxation techniques help women

to cope with, and heal from, the stress of infertility while

also substantially increasing the rates of conception. Using

approaches derived from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, I

always aim to work with unhealthy beliefs and to challenge

them so that the patient can actively change the causes of

stress and anxiety. Hypnotherapy also helps couples to pre-

pare for pregnancy, birth and parenthood. This process will

often address unconscious resistance to conception as well

as any ambiguity towards parenthood. Couples are often sur-

prised when I ask them: why do you want to be parents? And

why don’t you want to become parents? Simply discussing this

can bring many beliefs into conscious awareness.

Recent research has drawn attention to the effectiveness of

using hypnosis to support IVF treatment. The use of hypnosis

during embryo transfer doubles the IVF/ET (embryo trans-

fer) outcome in terms of increased implantation and clinical

pregnancy rates. Furthermore it seems the patients’ attitude

to treatment was more favourable. (‘Impact of hypnosis dur-

ing embryo transfer on the outcome of in vitro fertilization-

embryo transfer: a case-control study.’ Fertility and Sterility

Journal. May 2006; 8 (5):14040-8)

Due to the increasing demand for this treatment, I have devel-

oped an effective hypnotherapy protocol, which is designed to

support couples through each stage of IVF. I have also begun

teaching this protocol at fertility and hypnotherapy workshops,

since many practitioners find it such an important component

of their fertility work.

Below I have listed the key stages of IVF treatment, and a few

ideas and approaches to consider during each stage.

The Stages of IVF:

a) Preparation for treatment

Preparing the body and mind

Hypnotherapy:

• Increase physical, mental and emotional well being

• Reducing FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) levels if

necessary

• Direct suggestion to support ‘detox’

• Techniques like ‘Self-Integration Dissociation’ to clean

out any psychological or emotional clutter

• Pseudo orientation to see themselves being in control

throughout the treatment, feeling calm and relaxed.

• Teach self-hypnosis for relaxation and visualisation

b) Ovarian Stimulation (10 - 14 days)

Fertility Drugs are used to stimulate ovarian production

Hypnotherapy:

• To increase the effectiveness of the drugs and to

decrease the negative side effects

• Use of techniques like ‘Healing White Light’,

‘Apposition of Opposites’ and ‘Control Room of the

Mind’

• Visualisation of the ovaries producing an abundance

of healthy eggs.

• Use self-hypnosis to balance the systems of the body

on a daily basis using ‘Apposition of Opposites’

c) Egg collection and sperm collection

The eggs are retrieved, fertilized and monitored

Hypnotherapy:

• To increase comfort and speed of recovery from egg

Can Hypnotherapy help to increase Fertility?

collection

• Visualisation of the eggs being fertilised, and growing

stronger and stronger each day

• Visualisation of the uterus lining thickening and prepar

ing to receive the fertilised embryo

d) Embryo transfer

The fertilised embryo is transferred into the womb.

Hypnotherapy:

• To increase the chances of implantation.

• To increase blood flow to the womb

• Visualisation for implantation and a healthy thick uterine

lining

• Nurturing, and bonding with, the growing baby

• Self-Hypnosis to visualise the growing connections

between mother and baby

e) The two week wait

Allowing the embryo two weeks to become fully implanted in the

womb.

Hypnotherapy:

• To increase levels of calmness and relaxation during this

time

• Use of deep relaxation techniques

• Ego strengthening to increase calmness and ability to

cope irrespective of the outcome of the treatment

• Pseudo orientation to enable patients to see them

selves through pregnancy and holding their baby in their

arms

f) Results

After two weeks, pregnancy tests are carried out

Hypnotherapy:

• If pregnant – to increase the sustainability of pregnancy

and to help prepare for childbirth

• If not pregnant – to help couple to cope with the

results, to grieve and ultimately to consider what all

their future options are for parenthood.

So many women who have undergone IVF without any support

the first time, and then experienced it using hypnotherapy the

second time, have reported the dramatic difference it has made

to their experience of the treatment and often the result too.

Working with fertility can be deeply rewarding. It is, after all, an

opportunity to be a part of the magical creation of life.

Sjanie Hugo – Clinical Hypnotherapist, specialist in Fertility and Child

Birth. Lecturer at the LCCH and Managing Editor of the EJCH.

FERTILITY THROUGH HYPNOSIS:

ADVANCED TRAINING:

The next course will be held in Glasgow on

30th June and 1st July 2007. For more info

visit www.calmercentre.com/fertility or email

fertility@calmercentre.com or call 07989513189.

www.hypnosisinfertility.com

NEW LCCH EXAMINATION INFORMATION

Continued from Page 1...

To assist LCCH students in their learning the college has now

introduced additional reflective work as part of each weekend’s

course content. This reflective work is designed to allow students,

tutors, and course co-ordinators to monitor and manage students’

progress through the course.

Important, Please note that:

Any student names placed on examination papers or mentioned

within the reflective essay on the Certificate examination will

be considered a breach of confidentiality and will result in that

student’s examination being invalidated. Please refer to weekend

course notes.

If you have any questions regarding examinations or academic

credit please contact Tod Cury at the LCCH office or email: tod.

cury@lcch.co.uk.

EJCH

27 Gloucester Place, London W1U 8HU

Tel: +44 (0) 207 486 3939 Fax: +44 (0) 207 486 1123

e-mail: editor@ejch.com

The journal is a valuable resource for all professionals interested in clinical

hypnosis. Our aims are to update the readers about the recent research,

developments, new techniques and approaches in the field of clinical hypnosis.

The journal represents an advanced vision in a field becoming increasingly

valued in the treatment of many medical and psychological conditions.

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