A 30-year veteran of using hypnosis for the treatment of depression and other mental and emotional disorders, Dr. Michael Yapko explains how clinical hypnosis can be used effectively for relieving symptoms of depression, especially in combination with other therapies. He says that hypnosis must be used properly to be useful and by a qualified and well-trained professional.
Step 1
Present hypnosis to a person so that he understands he will be placed in a state that will induce ease, comfort and safety, suggests "The Power of Suggestion with Hypnosis" by Dr. E Arthur Winkler. Ask the person's permission and make sure he agrees that this is something he wants to do.
Step 2
Explain that he cannot be put into a hypnotic trance and made to do anything against his will.
Step 3
Establish ahead of time what you will work on with the person, suggests Yapko, setting goals and addressing specific symptoms. If the person is lacking in motivation, feeling sadness because of isolation or experiencing grief, aspects of each of these states can be individually addressed while the person is under hypnosis.
Step 4
Agree ahead of time with the person what kinds of suggestions you will be making and on what topics you will be working. This way he will be more confident and agreeable to working with your suggestions right from the start.
Step 5
Take the person being hypnotized gently into a trance with positive suggestions that do not lead him in any way to imagine anything that might influence how he feels or what he believes. For example, if you have someone in a trance and want to know what he may see around him, ask him directly to tell you what he sees, rather than saying something like, "Tell me if you see a tree in the surrounding landscape."
Step 6
Place the person in to a hypnotic state by gently guiding him vocally in a soothing voice to sit or lie down in a comfortable position. Have him close his eyes and focus on the sound of your voice as you direct him to relax. You may use a visualization, such as asking him to picture slowly descending a staircase, to help him become deeply hypnotized, suggests Winkler.
Step 7
Implant previously agreed upon suggestions after he is in a hypnotic state. For example, if you agreed that you would work on helping the person to socialize, you might implant the suggestion that he will make three phone calls to friends each day and twice a week go out to participate in a sport or for dinner with others.
Step 8
Count the person out of the trance by bringing him into the present state in the room where he is sitting. Have him climb back up the stairs as you count upward from one to ten and tell him that when you say the number ten, he will be fully present, wide awake and alert.
Step 9
Reinforce the suggestions with affirmation that the person can repeat daily.
Tips and Warnings
- There is no one who can't be hypnotized no matter how argumentative the person may be. The key is using the correct approach and not engaging the person in a battle of ego. Simple speak calmly and gently, and eventually your patient will relax and trust you.
- The information offered here is for educational purposes and is not meant to replace medical advice.
References
- The Power of Suggestion with Hypnosis; Dr. E Arthur Winkler; 1985
- Medical News Today: Clinical hypnosis Can Be Used to Treat Depression
