Applied Hypnosis and Hyperempiria

Abstract

All righ ts reserved No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, microfilming, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the Publisher To Patsy and Kathleen ForewordProfessionals who are well-trained in hypnotherapeutic procedures are able to utilize a variety of suggestions-suggestions for age regression, cessation of smoking, weight control, relaxation, reduction of pain, etc. In fact, the art of "hypnosis" can be conceptualized as the art of administering suggestions in an effective and useful way. In the teaching of hypnosuggestive methods, the need has long been apparent for a manual that could provide examples of suggestions that would be serviceable in applied settings. Now we are fortunate to have this text by Don E. Gibbons, which offers many different kinds of suggestions that can serve as models for both the novice and the experienced practitioner. Students who are training in this area can use the text to learn how to formulate their own suggestions in professional settings. Experienced hypnotherapists will also find the text helpful in expanding their repertoire. In addition to presenting useful models of suggestions, Dr. Gibbons's text also meets the need for a clearly written manual that explains hypnosis in accordance with the results of modem research. During the past 25 years, more research has been conducted on hypnosis than in all the preceding years since Mesmer. These investigations have led to a view of hypnosis which differs markedly from the traditional view of the passive subject who is hypnotized by and is subservient to the dominant hypnotist. From such a modem viewpoint, one sees good hypnotic subjects as actively doing, as actively becoming involved in the situation, and as actively thinking with and imagining those things that are suggested. vii viii FOREWORD Responsiveness in a hypnotic situation is much more closely related to the subjects' readiness to accept suggestions and to their capabilities of responding to the specific suggestions they are given rather than to the special characteristics of the hypnotist or of the hypnotic induction procedure. The main tasks of the hypnotist are to remove the subjects' misconceptions and negative attitudes, to elicit their maximum cooperation, and to release and guide their capabilities for imagining and fantasizing. The use of a formal hypnotic induction procedure is only one of many possible methods for eliciting the subjects' capabilities. Other methods for evoking maximal responsiveness include, for example, asking the subjects straightforwardly to think of and imagine those things that will be suggested, or implementing one of the various hyperempiric procedures developed by Dr. Gibbons, which are worded in terms of mind expansion and heightened awareness, and which are in harmony with our present-day culture.Dr. Gibbons appropriately notes in the text that base-level or "normal" responsiveness to test suggestio...

Evidence-Based Hypnotherapy for Depression

“…The author often uses the relaxation with counting method adapted from Gibbons (1979;see Alladin, 2007) for inducing and deepening hypnosis, because this technique is easily adapted for selfhypnosis training. Dobbin et al (2009), in a preliminary study comparing the effects of self-hypnosis with CBT and antidepressant medication in 58 primary care depressed patients, found self-hypnosis was the preferred treatment of their sample, and the treatment effect was comparable to CBT and medication.…”

Hypnotically Assisted Diaphragmatic Exercises in the Treatment of Stuttering:A Preliminary Investigation

“…After the first hypnosis session, the patient was provided with a prerecorded audiotape of self-hypnosis. The audiotape consisted of the Relaxation with Counting Method (Gibbons, 1979; see Alladin, 2008, pp. 55-60 for a standard ego-strengthening script) of hypnotic induction and deepening.…”

“…Relaxation with Counting Method (Alladin, 2007(Alladin, , 2008Gibbons, 1979) of hypnotic induction was used for inducing and deepening the hypnotic trance. This induction technique was chosen as it is easily adapted for self-hypnosis training.…”

Clinical applications of ‘waking’ hypnosis from a cognitive‐behavioural perspective: from efficacy to efficiency

“…As has been indicated here, various methods of alert hypnosis exist (Vingoe, 1973;Barabasz and Barabasz, 1996;Wark, 1998), and it is sometimes labelled hyperempiria (Gibbons, 1979). In general, such methods usually include relaxation and eye closing.…”