Hypnosis, what is it? Developments in hypnosis from its origins to the present day

Hypnosis training: the basics

Exploring the mysteries of the human mind through hypnosis: this article, written by systemicist Erzana Szwertak, immerses us in the foundations and various applications of this fascinating practice. Discover how hypnosis, used since the dawn of humanity, has evolved over time to become an influential therapeutic and personal development tool. With references to history, psychology and medicine, the article highlights the various facets of hypnosis, from pain management to relational self-hypnosis. It also discusses the implications of this practice in our understanding of consciousness, reality, and self-efficacy. Enriched with theoretical and clinical perspectives, this article offers an in-depth exploration of hypnosis, shattering myths and revealing its transformative potential in the lives of individuals.  

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Hypnosis training and systemic therapy with Giorgio Nardone

Systemic therapy and hypnosis represent a remarkable development in the world of psychotherapy. These approaches have redefined the way we understand and treat psychological disorders. Instead of the traditional linear perspective that sees human events and behaviors as isolated and self-contained, systems therapy views them as part of an interconnected whole. This holistic vision is the result of significant contributions from iconic figures like Gregory Bateson and Milton H. Erickson. Their work has not only broadened our understanding of therapeutic hypnosis but also brought a deeper and personalized dimension to the treatment.

In systemic therapy, communication plays a central role. Every interaction is considered crucial in the healing process. This approach emphasizes the importance of the relationship between therapist and patient, as well as the dynamics of exchange that occur within this framework. The contribution of Giorgio Nardone in this area has been particularly notable. By integrating scientific principles with experimental clinical approaches, he has made brief therapy more effective, focusing on lasting and meaningful outcomes for patients.

These therapeutic methods offer an enriching new perspective for mental health and personal well-being. By understanding and applying the principles of systemic therapy and hypnosis, it is possible to approach psychological disorders more holistically, paving the way for more effective and personalized treatments.

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Conversational hypnosis

Conversational and narrative hypnosis, accompanied by dissociation, disassociation and reassociation techniques, represents a significant development in the field of mental health and well-being. Historically, the search for altered states of consciousness has always been part of the human experience, finding its roots in ancestral practices like dance, music and various rituals. Today, hypnosis is recognized for its effectiveness in various clinical contexts, including surgical procedures.

In therapeutic settings, hypnosis is used to create an altered state of consciousness, a therapeutic technique and a unique relationship with the environment. This approach allows us to imagine a different existence and transform painful realities through dissociation, confusion, and double binds, strengthening security and relational autonomy.

Dissociation, seen as a resource by Milton Erickson, is a relational experience where the individual feels safe and anchored. Re-association occurs to finalize unfinished actions in an emotional sharing, thus transforming dysfunctional solution attempts into functional relationships.

Self-hypnosis, a crucial aspect of this practice, allows individuals to develop their abilities to induce trance and manage their sensations. It is taught through techniques such as focusing and abdominal breathing, allowing you to create personal anchors.

Furthermore, narrative therapy invites individuals to become the protagonists of their own story, externalizing their problems to construct alternative narratives and activate their personal resources.

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Ericksonian hypnosis training: A hypnosis lesson with Milton Erickson 

In the field of hypnosis, Milton Erickson's approach has strongly influenced contemporary practice, marking a turning point in the understanding and application of this discipline. This approach, anchored in a realistic philosophy, emphasizes the creation of an environment conducive to change, thus promoting personal evolution rather than seeking to directly modify the individual.

Milton Erickson firmly believed in the importance of communicating in the client's language, drawing on their personal experiences and realities. This method aims to facilitate a more authentic and personalized therapeutic process. It also highlighted the observation of human behavior and the recognition of suffering and pain as key elements of learning and transformation.

The individual's ability to initiate and sustain change was central to his practice. He valued the self-discovery, spontaneity and uniqueness of each individual in their journey of change. Eight fundamental principles were established, based on realism, the creation of favorable conditions for change, the importance of the client's language, learning through pain, acceptance of the unchangeable, observation of behavior, role of the therapist as guide, and open-mindedness.

These principles and Milton Erickson's approach have had a fundamental impact on the field of psychotherapy and hypnosis and a lasting and profound influence on the methods and philosophy of this practice.

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Ericksonian hypnosis training: the foundations of Ericksonian hypnosis, Interview with Michele Ritterman and Ph.D. and Michael Hoyt, Ph.D.

The approach to conversational hypnosis and Ericksonian hypnosis is highlighted through a series of interviews and experiences shared by Michele Ritterman and Michael Hoyt. These exchanges reveal the profound impact and significant contributions of Ericksonian hypnosis to psychotherapy. The influence of Milton Erickson is particularly highlighted, highlighting his unique approach which celebrates the novelty of each case and encourages focusing on the uniqueness of each situation, rather than conforming to a generic diagnosis.

These stories offer a fascinating insight into how hypnosis can be integrated into family therapy, transforming symptoms into opportunities to unlearn self-limiting behaviors and adopt more creative approaches. Hypnosis training, particularly that offered by LACT, allows practitioners to acquire skills in the use of Ericksonian hypnosis. She teaches how to establish a direct and secure therapeutic relationship, guide individuals to access their own resources, use language rich in sensations, and place people at the heart of their lived experiences.

This learning is based on an interactional and systemic approach, allowing practitioners to develop meaningful therapeutic goals for their patients in a narrative context. These teachings and experiences highlight the importance of conversational hypnosis and Ericksonian hypnosis as powerful tools in the field of modern psychotherapy.

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Therapeutic hypnosis training: Hypnosis to treat fears and anxiety disorders

Overcome fear and anxiety through hypnosis and self-hypnosis. Michele Ritterman.

Michele Ritterman is a trainer at LACT. She studied under the tutelage of Milton Erickson, Salvador Minuchin and Jay Haley, and is a clinical psychologist specializing in hypnosis and family therapies. She has worked on trance as a symptom and has written works on hypnosis and family therapies. Ritterman emphasizes that each symptom is influenced by the environment and society. She believes that anxiety is unique to each individual, and her therapeutic techniques seek to understand and address patients' deep personal emotions, using Ericksonian hypnosis to harness imagination and inner resources. Ritterman also offers self-hypnosis techniques for managing anxiety, particularly useful during crises, focusing on family interactions and the content of exchanges to contextualize and contain fears.

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Therapeutic hypnosis training: Understanding and treating fears with conversational hypnosis and the systemic and strategic approach (1)

Conversational hypnosis and the systemic and strategic approach are effective methods for understanding and treating fears and anxiety disorders. These techniques are based on the philosophy of Aristotle, who emphasizes the importance of becoming accustomed to danger to develop courage. The key to these approaches lies in modifying the individual's perception-reaction system, teaching them to rethink the way they perceive themselves and react to stressful situations.

Anxiety disorders, which manifest themselves through physical or psychological symptoms in the absence of any organic brain disease, are the result of prolonged physiological changes in the face of stress or danger. These disorders can become chronic and pervasive, affecting the quality of life of individuals. Historically, figures such as Freud have contributed to the understanding of these disorders, and advances in various fields, such as neuroscience and cognitive psychology, have made them better understood and treated.

Giorgio Nardone, an expert in the field, proposes an intervention model focused on stopping dysfunctional solution attempts in the face of fear. He said anxiety disorders are often exacerbated by attempts to avoid or seek help, which only make the situation worse. Its approach therefore aims to interrupt these dysfunctional cycles to encourage healthier and more effective strategies.

The neurobiology of anxiety disorders is also explored, highlighting the neural circuits involved in fear and anxiety. This biological and psychological perspective provides a comprehensive understanding of these disorders, as well as effective ways to manage and treat them.

Training in hypnosis and systemic therapy is highlighted as a crucial tool for healthcare professionals, allowing them to develop essential skills to effectively treat these disorders. These training courses cover various aspects, from specific phobias such as amaxophobia to the overall management of anxiety disorders.

Therapeutic hypnosis training: Understanding and treating fears with relational hypnosis and the systemic and strategic approach: a case study (2)

The unique approach combining relational hypnosis and systemic and strategic therapy has been shown to be particularly effective in treating fears, as illustrated in the case of DP, a 28-year-old man suffering from amaxophobia, an intense fear of driving. . This holistic approach allowed us to move beyond simply focusing on the visible symptom to explore and resolve deeper underlying issues.

The specificity of this method lies in its systemic approach, which takes into account not only the individual but also their environment and their interactions. It integrates elements such as strategic dialogue, which allows the patient's perception of their fear to be restructured and this fear to be transformed into courage. Therapy highlighted the need for DP to confront his fear to overcome it, instead of avoiding it.

Relational hypnosis played a key role in treatment, helping DP establish a deeper connection with his past experiences and transform painful memories into positive experiences. This technique facilitated a faster healing process by allowing DP to dissociate from his fears and observe them objectively, making them easier to manage.

Additionally, this approach addressed DP's concerns regarding his role as a future father and his difficult family background, allowing him to strengthen his relational autonomy and build a secure relationship with his wife. It allowed DP to develop a better understanding of himself and his emotional reactions, contributing to a notable improvement in his condition.

The combined approach of relational hypnosis and systemic and strategic therapy stands out for its ability to approach the problem from several angles, offering a comprehensive and personalized solution. It demonstrates the importance of tailored and flexible therapy, capable of meeting the unique needs of each individual.

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Hypnotherapist training: Hypnosis to treat violent situations and nastiness

Hypnotherapist training: treating human wickedness

This four-part poetic essay by Michele Ritterman, Ph.D., addresses the relationship between hypnosis and the fight against human wickedness. Ritterman explores how hypnosis can be a powerful tool for understanding and countering destructive behaviors rooted in malice and injustice.

At the heart of the essay, Ritterman focuses on the importance of Ericksonian and narrative hypnosis in therapeutic training. She highlights how these approaches can help establish direct and safe therapeutic relationships, allowing individuals to access their own internal resources. Ritterman emphasizes the use of language rich in sensations, which places people at the heart of their experiences in the moment, and on the development of meaningful objectives for the patient in a narrative context.

The essay also depicts hypnosis as a way to break cycles of pain and cruelty, encouraging the exploration of inner darkness to discover light and healing. Ritterman shares personal stories and historical examples to illustrate how hypnosis can be used to heal and empower, as well as the dangers of its misuse.

In summary, Ritterman's essay is a plea for hypnosis as a healing tool, emphasizing its ability to transform negative experiences and combat human wickedness through understanding, connection, and empowerment.

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Hypnotherapist training: dealing with violent situations and loyal deviants 

The systemic approach offers enriching perspectives in the analysis of personal and historical conflicts that shape individuals. Using historical figures such as Martin Luther and Malcolm

The systems approach reveals how resolving personal crises can release considerable energy and engender a new faith capable of bringing about significant change, both personally and historically. It highlights the importance of adolescence, both in individual development and in that of nations, as a period of great confusion when the individual or nation hesitates between accepting and rejecting the responsibilities of adulthood.

In the case of Malcolm X, his entry into the Nation of Islam marks a watershed in his life, an era of personal and historical rebirth. His early years, marked by failures common to many 20th-century black men, intensified his struggle for identity, culminating in a period of radical transformation in prison. Likewise, Martin Luther experienced critical delays in his development, seeking personal faith and individual autonomy.

School-based strategic systems approach and hypnosis training, such as Ericksonian hypnosis, offer complementary methods to help teachers and parents deal with educational and behavioral challenges in a school setting. These training courses encourage a better understanding of relational dynamics and conflicts, allowing more effective intervention in difficult situations.

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From February 2024, teachers and other education professionals will be able to follow the DU Strategic Systemic Approach to Education (ASSED) offered by the University of Paris 8 and LACT. This training aims to provide tools for the systemic and strategic approach in the field of education, effective in solving psychological and relational problems. It is aimed at a variety of professionals in the field of education and aims to address issues such as school bullying, school dropouts, and other disorders affecting both children and caregivers.

Read also: 

• Hypnosis training and systemic therapy with Giorgio Nardone
• Hypnosis training: the basics
• online ericksonian hypnosis training
• Overcome fear and anxiety through hypnosis and self-hypnosis. Michele Ritterman.
• Hypnosis training: A hypnosis lesson with Milton Erickson
• Hypnosis training: the foundations of Ericksonian hypnosis, Interview with Michele Ritterman and Ph.D.By Michael Hoyt, Ph.D.
• Ritterman: human wickedness

Also read about anxiety disorders: 

• A clinical view of anxiety disorders
  
• Brief and effective treatment for anxiety disorders and phobias
  
• Anxiety disorders: In the beginning, how to identify anxiety disorders?
  
• Anxiety disorders: Can we see both avoidance and control strategies in a patient?
  
• Anxiety disorders: Obsession, how to analyze it in relational terms in the notion of control?
  
• Anxiety disorders: Is paranoia part of the category of psychosis?
  
• Anxiety disorders: Does the anxiety disorder make it easier to stay in the exhaustion of the stress mechanism?
  
• Anxiety disorders: Faced with pathological doubt, how can you help a person?
  
• Anxiety disorders: the interval of therapeutic sessions from the first session
  
• GENERAL - Stress, anxiety and anxiety disorders - By Claude de SCORRAILLE