Harm in Hypnosis: Three Understandings From Psychoanalysis That Can Help

Abstract

Over 50 years of empirical data demonstrate unequivocally that psychotherapy can cause harm as well as good. Two therapist factors increasing harm risk are inadequate assessment of patients' vulnerabilities and certain attitudes/affects. Adding hypnosis as a technique within psychotherapy heightens risk for harm because: (a) trance can unexpectedly expose patient vulnerabilities (through loosening reality orientation, lessening structure, generating unfamiliar sensations and perceptions, and intensifying access to interior information such as emotions and imagery); and (b) trance can unexpectedly increase porousness to therapist's attitudes/affects (through heightening mental receptivity to the internal states of others). A century of clinical data from psychoanalysis offers guidance for protecting against such risks. Concepts of structure, interiority, and countertransference are explicated and translated into practical clinical suggestions for harm prevention.

Defining and assessing adverse events and harmful effects in psychotherapy study protocols: A systematic review.

“…Following Mash and Hunsley (1993, p. 292), who pointed out that “early detection of failing psychotherapy is essential if harmful and cost-ineffective outcomes are to be avoided,” as well as guidelines such as the APA Ethics Code, it is an ethical imperative and duty to assess, analyze, and report harm-related data within every clinical trial. By highlighting the positive effect of a more complete picture of the profession, Peebles (2018; p. 243) showed that the consideration of harm must not be viewed as an annoying duty, “If, however, we can let nonjudgmental curiosity steer us instead, and look interestedly at this notion of causing harm, then we open up the potential for learning how to become better therapists [clinical psychologists/scientists].”…”

Étude qualitative de l’expérience de la formation en hypnose clinique pour les professionnels de santé

“…Pourtant, certains participants évoquaient la déstabilisation éprouvée lors des séances de jeux de rôle entraînant un ressenti de vulnérabilité dans la relation à l'autre. Ce ressenti de vulnérabilité est décrite dans la littérature (20). L'utilisation de l'hypnose en psychothérapie augmenterait ainsi le risque de nocivité (harm) car l'état hypnotique pourrait exposer un sujet à ses vulnérabilités psychiques de manière imprévue.…”