Description:

This primarily experiential workshop will guide participants through two related hand focusing hypnotic induction techniques that utilize both Western and Eastern concepts of energy balance. This will include Western concepts of nerve conduction, hemispheric functional differences, cybernetics, resonance, coherence and entrainment, with Eastern concepts of polarities and the unblocking, flow and balance of energy (Chi, Prana). From an hypnotic perspective, manifestations of sympathetic nervous system arousal (e.g. psychomotor agitation) or energy imbalance are utilized as a source of initial focus, thereby transforming (“trance forming”) symptoms into a therapeutic resource for healing. The hand focusing techniques will further be used as a bridge to therapeutic resource retrieval (“you have a wealth of life experience at your fingertips”), including experiences of mastery (“handling things easily”), flow (“moving effortlessly without thinking”), coping (“getting a handle on things”), positive emotions (“in touch with what you appreciate”) and positive future pacing (“getting your life back in your own hands”). A bihemispheric autonomic model (BHAM) will be introduced as an hypothesized explanatory model connecting the balancing of sympathetic and parasympathetic functioning with Eastern concepts of polarities and energy balance.

Educational Objectives:

1. Demonstrate two hand focusing hypnotic induction techniques with patients and for self-hypnosis.
2. Explain the parallel between parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system functioning and Eastern concepts of polarities and energy balance.
3. Demonstrate the use hand focused language for resource retrieval in four areas.

*Sessions may be edited for content and to preserve confidentiality*