**2. What is hypnosis?**

Hypnosis dates back more than 220 years as an area of scientific research and clinical practice and is used to bring about positive change in a wide variety of conditions. It has been suggested that in a trance-like state, as in hypnosis, a process of communication with the unconscious mind occurs. This results in an unconscious response to suggestion [2] allowing individuals to relax deeply. In fact trance has been described as a natural state of mind that is entered into without realising, as in daydreaming [3]. While in trance the therapist attempts to address the subject's unconscious mind; selective thinking of positive thoughts is established, substituting former judgemental cognitions with helpful ones [4]. Cognitive psychology deals with the meaning of events, the underlying processes and ways of structuring and interpreting experiences. It encompasses affect, perception and behaviour [5]. It is reported that during trance, behaviour may be altered, enabling subjects to re-associate and reorganise inner psychological complexities [2]. Perceptions can be changed and negative cognitions supplanted by positive ideas. The unconscious mind is reprogrammed, allowing the individual in the conscious state the freedom to act and carry out new, positive subjective ideas. In fact, breakthroughs relating to the neurobiology of emotion and the endocrinology of stress are providing new data for conceptualising learning and behaviour as one of the major psychological foundations of therapeutic hypnosis [4].

It has been proposed that hypnosis is based on the affect theory of human emotion and that through the use of specific language they (hypnosis and cognitive therapy) are based on similar ideas of affect [6]. In fact, it is suggested that intransigent symptoms of dysfunctional cognitions and emotions are approached and treated in cognitive therapy through a sequence of interactions similar to hypnosis, as thoughts previously locked to negative affect are processed positively. The literature further suggests that cognitions locked to unpleasant emotions can become disturbingly resistant to change until hypnosis alters the affective perceptions of the individual [6]. It is argued that psychotherapeutic interventions can effect substantial change in the affective, behavioural and cognitive areas of the brain [7]. Hypnosis itself is not a therapy; however it is suggested that when used as an adjunct to therapy the hypnotic relationship enhances the efficacy of the treatment effects [8].

In the current review, Ericksonian Hypnotherapy is critiqued as this technique uses a set of procedures designed to alter the state of consciousness. Ericksonian philosophy emphasises the ability of individuals to access their own resources to

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*Cognitive Hypnotherapy*

the event [9–11].

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.91327*

**2.1 The techniques and protocols of hypnosis**

ological changes brought about by hypnosis [17].

whenever the opposite is required [18].

conscious in the waking state [4].

unconscious potential for problem-solving [4].

mind to heal itself [20].

state [22].

improve the quality of their lives, recontextualising the memory, the effect of fear and physiological hyper-arousal. It has been suggested that during this state the memory and meaning of negative experiences can be changed through emotional processing, as well as decreasing the somatic symptoms of anxiety associated with

The following is a brief synopsis of the techniques and protocols of hypnosis

*Hypnosis enhances the effectiveness of therapy and creates the belief of self-efficacy* [12]. Evidence from the literature informs us that perceived self-efficacy not only creates a sense of hope but also affects the treatment [13], and that expectation of

*Hypnosis breaks resistance when indirect hypnotic suggestions are applied in therapy* [18]. Oppositional statements given by the therapist are used to obtain compliance. An example of this would be 'and the more you try to open your eyes the more they remain tightly shut'. The word 'try' pre-disposes failure, so it is used in therapy

*Hypnosis facilitates rapid transference, which reinforces the suggestions given in therapy*. *During hypnosis, there is greater access to fantasies, memories and emotions, allowing the rapid occurrence of full-blown transference manifestations* [19]. During the hypnotic state, the critical faculty of the mind is bypassed, enabling the processing of thoughts in the unconscious mind, which are then transferred to the

*Hypnosis induces deep relaxation, and in this state suggestions can be made that are effective for the reduction of anxiety* [10]. A trance is a special psychological state in which patients can re-associate and reorganise their inner psychological complexities. It is argued that during therapy an inner resynthesis of the patient's behaviour is achieved by the patient [4], and further argued that suggestion and post-hypnotic suggestions during therapy emphasise the innate tendency of the

*Hypnosis strengthens the ego by enhancing self-confidence and self-worth* [21]. Ego strengthening is a belief that when positive suggestions are repeated sufficiently they become embedded in the unconscious mind to be acted upon in the conscious

*Hypnosis facilitates divergent thinking, maximising awareness, attentional focus and concentration. It minimises distraction and interference from other sources and stimuli increasing the potential for learning alternatives* [23]. Corroboration from the literature reports that breaking through the limitations of conscious attitudes frees the

*Hypnosis allows engagement of the non-dominant hemisphere in the brain. It provides direct entry into the cognitive processing of the right cerebral hemisphere (in right-handed subjects), which accesses and organises emotional and experiential information. It can be utilised to teach restructuring of cognitive and emotional processes that are influenced by the non-dominant cerebral hemisphere* [22]. Many of the sensoryperceptual languages of the mind (visual, auditory and kinaesthetic information)

are encoded like a map over the cerebral cortex of the brain [24, 25].

*Hypnosis adds leverage to treatment and shortens treatment time* [15]. When patients are fully relaxed, positive subjective experiences occur replacing negative cognitions, which appear to bring great comfort and relief [16]. Rapid changes are attributed to the brisk and profound behavioural, emotional, cognitive and physi-

with corroboration of these statements taken from the literature:

self-efficacy is central to all forms of therapeutic change [14].

## *Cognitive Hypnotherapy DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.91327*

*Hypnotherapy and Hypnosis*

future research.

**2. What is hypnosis?**

foundations of therapeutic hypnosis [4].

This chapter first asks the question 'what is hypnosis'? and gives an overview from a scientific stand-point of the techniques and protocols of hypnosis that are most pertinent for understanding the case for integration with CBT. It gives a brief review of the background of CBT from its roots in cognitive therapy and behavioural therapy. It further evaluates the nature and efficacy of CBT together with its suitability from a psychological perspective as an appropriate therapy for the addition of hypnosis. The impact and added strength of integrating two disciplines for the maximum therapeutic effect is explored, together with the rationale for integration. Documentation is given of scientific studies in a number of different domains where hypnosis has been used as an adjunct to CBT and the treatment effects of this multi-modal approach. However this chapter concludes with the premise that there appear to be few guidelines for practitioners for an integrative procedure for the treatment of diverse psychological conditions and this needs to be addressed in

Hypnosis dates back more than 220 years as an area of scientific research and clinical practice and is used to bring about positive change in a wide variety of conditions. It has been suggested that in a trance-like state, as in hypnosis, a process of communication with the unconscious mind occurs. This results in an unconscious response to suggestion [2] allowing individuals to relax deeply. In fact trance has been described as a natural state of mind that is entered into without realising, as in daydreaming [3]. While in trance the therapist attempts to address the subject's unconscious mind; selective thinking of positive thoughts is established, substituting former judgemental cognitions with helpful ones [4]. Cognitive psychology deals with the meaning of events, the underlying processes and ways of structuring and interpreting experiences. It encompasses affect, perception and behaviour [5]. It is reported that during trance, behaviour may be altered, enabling subjects to re-associate and reorganise inner psychological complexities [2]. Perceptions can be changed and negative cognitions supplanted by positive ideas. The unconscious mind is reprogrammed, allowing the individual in the conscious state the freedom to act and carry out new, positive subjective ideas. In fact, breakthroughs relating to the neurobiology of emotion and the endocrinology of stress are providing new data for conceptualising learning and behaviour as one of the major psychological

It has been proposed that hypnosis is based on the affect theory of human emotion and that through the use of specific language they (hypnosis and cognitive therapy) are based on similar ideas of affect [6]. In fact, it is suggested that intransigent symptoms of dysfunctional cognitions and emotions are approached and treated in cognitive therapy through a sequence of interactions similar to hypnosis, as thoughts previously locked to negative affect are processed positively. The literature further suggests that cognitions locked to unpleasant emotions can become disturbingly resistant to change until hypnosis alters the affective perceptions of the individual [6]. It is argued that psychotherapeutic interventions can effect substantial change in the affective, behavioural and cognitive areas of the brain [7]. Hypnosis itself is not a therapy; however it is suggested that when used as an adjunct to therapy the hypnotic relationship enhances the efficacy of the treat-

In the current review, Ericksonian Hypnotherapy is critiqued as this technique uses a set of procedures designed to alter the state of consciousness. Ericksonian philosophy emphasises the ability of individuals to access their own resources to

**104**

ment effects [8].

improve the quality of their lives, recontextualising the memory, the effect of fear and physiological hyper-arousal. It has been suggested that during this state the memory and meaning of negative experiences can be changed through emotional processing, as well as decreasing the somatic symptoms of anxiety associated with the event [9–11].
