Australian Society of Hypnosis

MAY 2002, VOLUME 30, NUMBER 1, Abstract 4

Hypnosis and Client Resistance

Ian Jennings, Psychiatrist

This case demonstrates the use of hypnosis to complement cognitive-behavioural therapy.  Although the principal treatment used was cognitive therapy, supplemented with insight-oriented therapy to explore the underlying causes for the problems being treated, hypnosis provided a useful and successful addition to therapy.  Hypnosis facilitated a more rapid therapeutic response after the cognitive approaches stalled due to patient resistance in initiating and maintaining changes in behaviour patterns.