{"title":"The role of hearing and listening in hypnotic responsiveness.","authors":"David S Alter","doi":"10.1080/00029157.2024.2370777","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00029157.2024.2370777","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The hypnosis literature emphasizes features of suggestion, induction, and communication that are described as evoking heightened responsiveness on the part of the subject or client. This article explores what is often overlooked: to have an effect, the subject must not only hear the suggestion but listen to it. The process of listening is described across multiple levels ranging from the acoustic signal to its transduction into a meaning-filled and motivationally enriched message that spurs action. That journey traverses challenging terrain, with numerous obstacles that serve to maintain past habits and response patterns, despite a client's stated desire for adaptive change. The article highlights those obstacles and then provides descriptions of five language structures that can reach the client consciously or non-consciously, but always in ways that increase the odds that the therapeutic messaging is packaged in a manner that optimizes it being \"heard,\" absorbed, and enacted. Applications of each language structure are provided using relevant clinical case examples.</p>","PeriodicalId":46304,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis","volume":" ","pages":"97-109"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141789447","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Exploring hypnotist trance: the experiences of skilled practitioners.","authors":"Joseph Meyerson, Naftaly Edry, Benni Feldman","doi":"10.1080/00029157.2024.2398431","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00029157.2024.2398431","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Milton Erickson first conceptualized the hypnotist trance (HT) as a unique psychological state developed in clinicians during hypnosis sessions. This qualitative study aimed to investigates HT through the experiences of 12 skilled Clinician Hypnosis Specialists (CHS). Data were collected via semi-structured face-to-face interviews, exploring participants' attitudes toward HT, its impact on their practice, and their strategies for developing and regulating it. Thematic analysis revealed that most CHS view HT as enhancing empathy, communication, and therapeutic effectiveness. However, challenges such as time distortion, hypnotic regression, and countertransference issues were also noted. The study highlights HT's dual nature - offering significant therapeutic benefits while presenting challenges that need careful management. These findings emphasize the importance of comprehensive HT training in hypnotherapy education and advocate for further research to explore HT across diverse contexts and expertise levels to deepen understanding of this complex phenomenon.</p>","PeriodicalId":46304,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis","volume":" ","pages":"129-141"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142366887","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Use of the 49word protocol (alert hypnosis) to reduce anxiety: a case series.","authors":"Mark D Aron, Zoltan Kekecs","doi":"10.1080/00029157.2024.2407800","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00029157.2024.2407800","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>David Wark's latest iteration of alert hypnosis, the \"49word protocol,\" reduces performance anxiety. Several case studies have demonstrated improvements in the behavioral responses of subjects using this technique. This case series focuses on the more immediate emotional impact, such as the reported reduction in anxiety, on subjects who have benefited from David Wark's \"49word protocol.\" In this study, we compare the benefits of the \"49word protocol\" to those of the mindfulness protocol. We compared the anxiety-reducing elements of alert hypnosis (49word protocol) and a mindfulness technique (Otani, Akira) called \"touch and return.\" The Profile of Mood States tension and anger-hostility subtests were administered before and after each intervention as self-reported measures of mood and anxiety.</p>","PeriodicalId":46304,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis","volume":" ","pages":"164-174"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142401592","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Hypnosis facilitates psychosomatic improvement in a patient with treatment-resistant idiopathic tinnitus.","authors":"Nathan Tran, Nahom Zewde, David Spiegel","doi":"10.1080/00029157.2024.2379284","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00029157.2024.2379284","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chronic tinnitus, also known as phantom sound perception, is a pervasive and often debilitating condition, affecting 15 to 20% of the population. Due to its idiopathic and persistent nature, chronic tinnitus is frequently associated with co-occurring psychiatric disorders as well as decreased sleep and quality of life. Additionally, heterogeneous presentations of tinnitus create challenges for treatment. In this paper, we present a case study of a 70-year-old female patient who presented with severe bilateral tinnitus over a period of 5 years. After failing multiple treatment trials such as transtympanic electric stimulation, acupuncture, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and medication, the patient found relief only through hypnotherapy. Results may be explained by alterations in interoceptive processing, increased cognitive flexibility, or somatosensory changes, with corresponding changes in functional neural structures. Given the results of this case study, we recommend hypnosis as an alternative or adjunct to current treatment modalities for tinnitus and further investigation in this area.</p>","PeriodicalId":46304,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis","volume":" ","pages":"123-128"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141761608","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A case study of hypnosis for tongue thrusting: confusion of tongues.","authors":"Eric J Proescher","doi":"10.1080/00029157.2024.2398432","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00029157.2024.2398432","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In this case study, the author reviews the benefits of hypnosis for a middle-aged female suffering from an unwanted habit of rubbing her tongue against her teeth, also known as tongue thrusting. At the time of the initial consultation, she had already undergone several months of physical therapy for a lifetime habit of tongue thrusting. During the consultation, she expressed complaints of pain and chronic irritation, along with feelings of distraction and hopelessness regarding treatment. Treatment included one session after initial consultation and hypnotizability testing, at which time patient scored low on Elkins Hypnotizability Scale (EHS). She reported to her psychiatrist the unwanted habit ceased following one follow-up hypnosis intervention. She retained habit change for at least 1-year following hypnosis treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":46304,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis","volume":" ","pages":"142-151"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142366886","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Juliette Gelebart, Sophie Schlatter, Maxime Billot, Ursula Debarnot
{"title":"Sleepiness may predict hypnotizability, while personality traits do not.","authors":"Juliette Gelebart, Sophie Schlatter, Maxime Billot, Ursula Debarnot","doi":"10.1080/00029157.2024.2387360","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00029157.2024.2387360","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Sleepiness and personality traits have been controversially reported as associated to individual hypnotizability level i.e. receptiveness to hypnotic suggestions and behave accordingly. In this study, we further investigate the relationship between the level of general daytime sleepiness and personality traits with the level of hypnotizability. Seventy-eight healthy young volunteers (34 women) completed the fast assessment of general daytime sleepiness and personality with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and the 10-item Big Five Inventory respectively, and underwent hypnotic evaluation through the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility Form A (HGSHS:A). Main findings revealed a correlation between sleepiness and hypnotizability levels, and no influence of personality traits. Interestingly, women exhibited higher levels of hypnotizability compared to men. Taken together, these results suggest that sleepiness assessment might be considered as a predictive tool to hypnotic suggestions, which would offer practical insight for enhancing hypnosis intervention efficacy.</p>","PeriodicalId":46304,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis","volume":" ","pages":"110-122"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142298289","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Treatment of plantar warts using medical hypnosis: a case report.","authors":"Maks Tušak, Andrej Lapoša","doi":"10.1080/00029157.2024.2423294","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00029157.2024.2423294","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In this case study, we describe the case of an adult patient who struggled with persistent warts on the plantar surface of the foot for several years. All medical therapies were exhausted, so the patient turned to medical hypnosis as a last resort. Despite years of unsuccessful conventional medical treatments, the patient experienced complete resolution of all his warts after three sessions of medical hypnosis. The suggestions used in the treatment included strengthening the immune system, increasing blood flow in the foot, visualizing immune mechanisms destroying infected cells, and the regrowth of healthy tissue. After 3 years, we are still in contact with the patient and he reports no recurrence of the disease. This case report adds to the existing body of the literature supporting the use of medical hypnosis in the treatment of warts. It demonstrates that medical hypnosis can be a valuable complementary or alternative treatment option for patients with persistent warts who have not responded to conventional therapies. It also highlights the need for further research to better understand the mechanisms by which hypnosis influences the resolution of warts and to identify the most effective types of suggestions for treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":46304,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis","volume":" ","pages":"152-163"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142733288","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Behnaz Sedaghat Baghbani, Hamidreza Aghamohammadian Sharbaf, Mehdi Fathi
{"title":"The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral hypnotherapy on dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome and affective control.","authors":"Behnaz Sedaghat Baghbani, Hamidreza Aghamohammadian Sharbaf, Mehdi Fathi","doi":"10.1080/00029157.2024.2433466","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00029157.2024.2433466","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The objective of this study was to assess the effects of cognitive-behavioral hypnotherapy on dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome, and women's emotional management. Utilizing a quasi-experimental design with control group, the research adopted a pretest-posttest method. The focus group was comprised of women of reproductive age seeking counseling and psychological services at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. Fifty participants were selected through purposive sampling and randomly divided into two groups - experimental and control - with 25 in each. They completed the Visual Analog Scale, Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST), and Affective Control Scale (ACS) before and after the intervention. The data were analyzed using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) with SPSS-21 software. The findings revealed that cognitive-behavioral hypnotherapy significantly reduced dysmenorrhea pain, symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, and improved emotional regulation. Therefore, this therapy, which includes suggestion and relaxation techniques, is recommended for enhancing the quality of life for women suffering from premenstrual and menstrual discomfort, as well as related emotional distress. It is suggested as a treatment for women with issues stemming from premenstrual and menstrual pain symptoms.</p>","PeriodicalId":46304,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis","volume":" ","pages":"175-186"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144019834","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Editorial.","authors":"Stephen R Lankton","doi":"10.1080/00029157.2025.2497193","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00029157.2025.2497193","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":46304,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis","volume":"67 2","pages":"91-96"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144181815","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Izabela Soares Zappalá, Ana Flávia César Guimarães, Brender Leonan-Silva, Dhelfeson Willya Douglas-Oliveira, Olga Dumont Flecha, Karine Tais Aguiar Tavano, Adriana Maria Botelho
{"title":"Effectiveness of hypnosis in controlling anxiety during dental treatment: exploratory trial.","authors":"Izabela Soares Zappalá, Ana Flávia César Guimarães, Brender Leonan-Silva, Dhelfeson Willya Douglas-Oliveira, Olga Dumont Flecha, Karine Tais Aguiar Tavano, Adriana Maria Botelho","doi":"10.1080/00029157.2025.2502734","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00029157.2025.2502734","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>With the evolution of therapeutic approaches to controlling anxiety, hypnosis emerged and is now also being applied in the field of dentistry. Despite this, there is still little evidence of the application of hypnosis in the field. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the use of hypnosis as an alternative for reducing dental anxiety in patients at a school clinic at a public university. The 39 patients underwent restorative dental treatments of the same complexity, where no intervention was applied at the first appointment and a previous hypnosis session took place at the second appointment. The instrument used to assess the patients' level of anxiety was the Corah Dental Anxiety Scale. The results obtained were statistically significant (<i>p</i> < .001), showing that hypnosis was effective in reducing anxiety levels. The Corah Dental Anxiety Scale showed an average of 5.58 in the session in which the patients underwent hypnosis, compared to an average of 8.28 for the session in which there was no hypnosis. Thus, from this study, hypnosis proved to be an effective strategy for reducing dental anxiety.</p>","PeriodicalId":46304,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis","volume":" ","pages":"1-9"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144175217","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}