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What Is Clinical Hypnosis?

The American Psychological Association Division of Psychological Hypnosis provides the following definition:

Hypnosis is a procedure during which a health professional or researcher suggests that a client, patient or subject experiences changes in sensations, perceptions, thoughts, or behavior.

People respond to hypnosis in different ways. Some describe their experience as an altered state of consciousness. Others describe hypnosis as a normal state of focused attentions, in which they feel very calm and relaxed. Regardless of how and to what degree they respond, most people describe the experience as very pleasant.
Clinical versus Amateur Hypnosis

Clinical hypnosis differs clinically and ethically from amateur stage hypnosis. Stage hypnosis depends on a certain amount of peer pressure and a given individual's conscious or unconscious wishes to perform. Frequently, it is not done with consideration for the subject's needs or vulnerabilities.

Hypnosis is a specific psychological procedure that should be practiced only by licensed mental health practitioners.

Indications for Clinical and Medical Hypnosis

pain Pain

Clinical hypnosis has shown to be effective in

  • managing cancer pain and the effects of chemotherapy,
  • the treatment of headaches,
  • managing burn pain, and
  • painful medical procedures (i.e., endoscopy, radiation, obstetrics, chronic renal dialysis).

Hypnoanesthesia and Preparation for Surgery Hypnoanesthesia and Preparation for Surgery

Habit Disorders Habit Disorders

  • nail biting
  • hair pulling
  • smoking cessation
  • bruxism

Obesity Obesity

Clinical hypnosis is of clear value with some obesity patients. It can be used for unconscious exploration and for internal conflict resolution in connection with or prior to supportive hypnotherapy.

Nausea and Other Conditions in Pregnancy Nausea and Other Conditions in Pregnancy

Anxiety States Anxiety States

Clinical hypnosis can directly decrease anxiety and panic by inducing a state of relaxation and training the patient to focus more clearly on issues that might be causing the anxiety.

Trauma Trauma

Trauma management is one of my specialties. I have had extensive training and experience working with traumatized individuals:

  • families of murdered victims
  • sexually abused individuals
  • victims of bank robberies
  • 911 survivors

Self-Hypnosis Self-Hypnosis

I will often teach patients how to use self-hypnosis so that they can gain more control over the process. They can use it between sessions as a booster. I teach them a long induction for when they have time and a shorter induction for quick use in crisis situations.

Individuals who have difficulty during the self-hypnosis may benefit from hypnosis tapes. I make up custom tapes for certain patients.

Collaboration With Referring Physicians

I welcome referrals from physicians and work closely with them to insure that their patients receive excellent professional service.

For more information about Clinical Hypnosis or to make an appointment, please call Dr. Mullen at (941) 364-9919 or email him at:

David@drdavidemullen.com

>>See also: Frequently Asked Questions About Clinical Hypnosis

David E. Mullen, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. He is a member of the American Psychological Association (Division 30) and the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. Dr. Mullen is board certified in clinical hypnosis.