Short-Term Psychotherapy and Hypnosis

Abstract

Phobic patients have been shown to be, on average, more hypnotizable than others. The essence of the phobic experience is not unlike that of the event of hypnosis, and the phobic experience might be a spontaneously occurring panic-filled trance-like or dissociative experience. This dissociation is viewed as a maladaptive mechanism of defense against anxiety, sadness or rage. In addition to enabling the patient to develop a psycho-dynamic understanding of the symptoms, the therapist uses hypnosis and self-hypnosis to help the patient learn more about his dissociative capacity, to become familiar with the mechanism, and to learn to control it. This offers him a way to master the shift in his functioning.

Conference

“…This historical introduction was followed by a number of papers, alternating with video-presentations, panels, small groups and plenary discussions. The topics included criteria for selection of patients for short-term dynamic psychotherapy (Gillieron 1981(Gillieron , 1983Sifneos 1972Sifneos , 1979Sifneos , 1984; the different techniques used with neurotic and borderline patients (Leibovich 1983;Ostberg); personality styles and stress response syndromes in brief psychotherapy (Horowitz 1979(Horowitz , 1983(Horowitz , 1984(Horowitz , 1984a(Horowitz , 1986; the use of hypnosis to shorten time (Frankel 1976(Frankel , 1981; principles of different techniques ( Gillieron, Leibovich, Sifneos) and research into the process and outcome of short-term dynamic psychotherapy Husby et at 1985).…”