Hypnosis in Speech Pathology and Audiology

The use of hypnosis in speech therapy: A questionnaire study

“…Interest in the use of hypnosis in communication disorders was initially shown in the 1940s and 1950s in such contexts as self-exploration as an adjunct to counselling (Levbarg, 1941 cited in Rousey, 1961; Moore, 1946); therapy for stuttering (Moore, 1946;Watkins, 1949;Livingwood, 1958 cited in Rousey, 1961); and therapy for voice disorders (Watkins, 1949). It might be speculated that the subsequent decline in interest occurred partly because of the lack of a substantial theoretical framework within which the use of hypnosis could be justified, and partly because there was a lack of organised training in hypnosis for speech therapists.…”

“…When looking at hypnosis in relation to the treatment of communication disorders, the situation is made more problematic because hypnosis is normally an adjunct to therapy (Lees, 1983; Rowley, 1984) and there are already difficulties in identifying either the changes or the agents of change in communication disorders treated without the use of hypnosis (Falk, 1964;Ewing, 1985). Rousey (1961) notes that studies of the use of hypnosis in the management of communication disorders often fail to consider important variables. For example he cites a study in which success is claimed for the use of hypnosis with an aphasic patient without any evaluation of the patient's language before and after treatment.…”

The Speech and Language Abilities of Emotionally Disturbed Children

“…Childhood schizophrenia has been of interest to several investigators (1,2,3). Some work has also been done in the analysis of the psychological state of people with speech and language problems (4,5,6).…”