half day workshop

COGNITIVE HYPNOTHERAPY
E. Thomas Dowd, Kent State University, USA

Princess Hotel Room: Mediterraneo

Cognitive hypnotherapy is an attempt to use the methods and models of hypnosis and hypnotherapy to modify the cognitive content, cognitive processes, and cognitive structures that create psychological problems. Cognitive content refers to the actual self-statements or automatic assumptions used by clients. Cognitive processes refer to the cognitive processing distortions identified by Beck and others (e.g. dichotomous thinking, personalization). Cognitive structures refer to the maladaptive core schemas that are part of clients’ tacit cognitions; for example, the Early Maladaptive Schemas developed by Jeffrey Young.  Hypnosis can be a valuable adjunctive psychotherapeutic technique and may bypass conscious resistance to clients' examination of their maladaptive cognitions and cognitive structures. For example, a recent meta-analysis (Kirsch et al., 1995) comparing cognitive-behavioral therapy with and without hypnosis found a 70% greater improvement by clients in the former condition compared to the latter.  In this workshop, I will describe and illustrate the differences in hynotic routines for modifying cognitive content, cognitive processes, and cognitive structures. I will describe and illustrate how routines can be developed for the solution of specific client problems. I will assist participants in creating their own routines and practicing hypnotherapy with each other by demonstration and role play.

E. Thomas Dowd is Professor of Psychology at Kent State University in Ohio, USA. He was President of the American Board of Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology and is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association in International Psychology and Counseling Psychology. He holds board certification (diplomates) in Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology and in Counseling Psychology. He is the author of Cognitive Hypnotherapy (2000) and several other book chapters and articles on the uses of hypnotherapy in clinical practice. He has presented at numerous conferences in the USA, Europe, the Middle East, and South America.

Key References:
Dowd, E.T. (2000), Cognitive hypnotherapy. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.
Dowd, E.T. (1997). The use of hypnosis in cognitive-developmental therapy. In R.Leahy (Ed.), Practicing Cognitive Therapy: A guide to interventions. New York: Jason Aronson.
Dowd, E.T. (1996). Hypnotherapy in the treatment of adolescent enuresis. In S.J. Lynn, I. Kirsch, & J.W. Rhue (Eds.), Casebook of clinical hypnosis, American Psychological Association.
Dowd, E.T. (1993). Cognitive developmental hypnotherapy. In J. W. Rhue, S. J. Lynn  & I. Kirsch (Eds.). Handbook of clinical hypnosis, American Psychological Association.