Cognitive Hypnotherapy With Depression

Abstract

A cognitive dissociative model of nonendogenous unipolar depression (CDMD) is described. The model offers a framework for extending Beck’s cognitive theory of depression and it provides the grounding for combining cognitive and hypnotic techniques in the management of depression. An integrated approach to treatment, referred to as cognitive hypnotherapy, based on the model is described in detail.

Evidence-Based Hypnotherapy for Depression

“…Clinical trials (Alladin & Alibhai, 2007;Bryant, Moulds, Gutherie, & Nixon, 2005;Dobbin, Maxwell, & Elton, 2009;Schoenberger, Kirsch, Gearan, Montgomery, & Pastyrnak, 1997), meta-analysis (Kirsch, Montgomery, & Sapirstein, 1995), and detailed review (Schoenberger, 2000) have substantiated the additive value of hypnotic interventions when combined with CBT for various emotional disorders. Moreover, Alladin (1992aAlladin ( , 1992bAlladin ( , 1994Alladin ( , 2006a) provided a scientific rationale or a working model for combining CBT with hypnosis in the treatment of clinical depression. After reviewing the strengths and limitations of CBT and hypnotherapy with depression, Alladin (1989Alladin ( , 2007 concluded that each treatment approach was lacking in several ways.…”

“…Moreover, Alladin (1992aAlladin ( , 1992bAlladin ( , 1994Alladin ( , 2006a) provided a scientific rationale or a working model for combining CBT with hypnosis in the treatment of clinical depression. After reviewing the strengths and limitations of CBT and hypnotherapy with depression, Alladin (1989Alladin ( , 2007 concluded that each treatment approach was lacking in several ways. For example, CBT does not encourage unconscious cognitive restructuring; instead, its main focus is on cognitive restructuring via conscious reasoning and Socratic dialogue.…”

“…Hypnotherapy, on the other hand, has traditionally focused on unconscious restructuring or reframing, paying less attention to a conscious systematic restructuring of dysfunctional cognitions. Alladin (1989Alladin ( , 2007 argued that the shortcomings of each single treatment (i.e., hypnosis and CBT) could be overcome by integrating techniques from both treatment approaches. Schoenberger (2000) proposed that since many CBT procedures are easily conducted with hypnosis or simply relabeled as hypnosis, CBT-oriented clinicians with experience in hypnosis could easily establish a hypnotic context "as a simple, cost-effective means of enhancing treatment efficacy" (p. 244).…”

“…Moreover, Golden (2006) pointed out that CBT and hypnosis share a number of commonalities such as imagery and relaxation that can make for a natural integration of the two approaches. Alladin (1994Alladin ( , 2007 described a circular feedback model of nonendogenous depression (CFMD) that embraces the above rationales for combining CBT with hypnotherapy in the psychotherapy of depression. Based on this model, Alladin (1994Alladin ( , 2006aAlladin ( , 2007Alladin ( , 2008 developed an evidence-based multimodal approach, known as cognitive hypnotherapy (CH), for the treatment of clinical depression, which can be applied to a wide range of depressed patients.…”

“…Alladin (1994Alladin ( , 2007 described a circular feedback model of nonendogenous depression (CFMD) that embraces the above rationales for combining CBT with hypnotherapy in the psychotherapy of depression. Based on this model, Alladin (1994Alladin ( , 2006aAlladin ( , 2007Alladin ( , 2008 developed an evidence-based multimodal approach, known as cognitive hypnotherapy (CH), for the treatment of clinical depression, which can be applied to a wide range of depressed patients. CH has been empirically validated (Alladin & Alibhai, 2007) and it represents a comprehensive version of hypnotherapy for depression (Alladin, 2007;Gantz, 2009).…”