Self-hypnosis as a facilitator of self-efficacy: A case example.

Abstract

This article presents the four-session treatment of Elaine, using self-hypnosis to facilitate the mourning process. It is argued that self-hypnosis-rather than enhancing imagery-increases selfefficacy, a person's feeling that he/she can perform behaviors that lead to desired outcomes. Elaine's sense of self-efficacy was increased by allowing her to choose scenes from her life to be explored in the context of the use of imagery. Elaine imagined events surrounding her father's death, and "rewrote history" in an attempt to permit herself the direct expression of emotions.In an era of scarce resources, short and efficent therapeutic interventions become even more necessary. The burgeoning literature on brief therapies (Budman, 1981; Bloom, Note 1) attests to the growing perception that many people can benefit from our services even though they do not have the time and money for long-term treatment. In addition to reducing the duration of therapy, it behooves therapists to provide clients with tools they can use after they terminate formal treatment. For example, behavioral therapists have long advocated the use of homework assignments and other techniques to build skills that can be practiced

Clinical applications of self-hypnosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

“…The autonomy of the individual is fostered because he or she can use self-hypnosis independently, in a variety of circumstances and situations. Self-hypnosis has the potential benefit, therefore, of promoting self-efficacy (Fromm et al, 1981; Handelsman, 1984; Olness, 1975), with reported benefits such as self-esteem enhancement and validation of coping abilities (Olness et al, 1987).…”

“…The autonomy of the individual is fostered because he or she can use self-hypnosis independently, in a variety of circumstances and situations. Self-hypnosis has the potential benefit, therefore, of promoting self-efficacy (Fromm et al, 1981;Handelsman, 1984;Olness, 1975), with reported benefits such as selfesteem enhancement and validation of coping abilities (Olness et al, 1987). Self-hypnosis is deemed to comprise a wide variety of methods, so much so that Landolt and Milling (2011) called for "treatment manuals" to create more consistency in the way hypnosis training is offered to individuals learning to use it for themselves.…”

“…If self-hypnosis is to have a separate identity, it is surely better for researcher to explore the benefits of self-directed, self-regulated hypnosis before more closely matching it to heterohypnosis. Self-directed and self-regulated hypnosis are also likely to produce the added benefit of the development of self-efficacy (Fromm et al, 1981; Handelsman, 1984; Olness, 1975).…”