There is a strong argument for the educated and professional use of hypnosis in the field of trauma, particularly in facilitating the resolution of the trauma and processing of traumatic memories.

This book draws attention to the importance of hypnosis in treating trauma cases, with particular reference to survivors of child abuse. It covers theories of traumatic stress, theories of hypnosis, and theories related to the long-term effects of child abuse. Recent research in these areas is reviewed in full. The book can also be used as a clinician’s guide to therapy, and offers safe and effective hypnotic interventions for clinicians treating survivors of child abuse. The treatment approach is predominately cognitive-behavioural in orientation and uses hypnosis as a powerful addition to this. Key practical features include:

• guidelines on how not to create false memories with hypnosis
• detailed descriptions of safe remembering techniques
• full guidelines on therapeutic procedures
• helpful case illustrations.

Hypnosis, Dissociation and Survivors of Child Abuseprovides an updated perspective on hypnosis and its value in trauma. It will be of interest to psychologists, psychiatrists and other mental health practitioners who wish to expand their repertoire of effective therapeutic interventions. It is emphasised that professional training in applied hypnosis is a prerequisite for any practitioner intending to include it in their therapy.

Hypnosis has not been fully appreciated in the treatment of trauma, largely due to it being implicated in the creation of false memories, which have previously led to false allegations of child abuse. This has led to a lot of misunderstandings about hypnosis. There is now a strong argument that the educated and professional use of hypnosis may be beneficial to the field of trauma, particularly in facilitating the resolution of trauma and processing of traumatic memories.

This book re-introduces the importance of hypnosis in the field of trauma, with particular reference to survivors of child abuse. It covers theories of traumatic stress, theories of hypnosis and theories related to the long term effects of child abuse. As well as providing recent research in these areas, it offers practical therapy guidelines and case illustrations to assist qualified practitioners in treating their clients. The treatment described is predominately cognitive-behavioural, and uses hypnosis as an effective and powerful adjunct to this approach.

Marcia, Degun-Matheris a Consultant Clinical Psychologist in private practice, and a lecturer and supervisor on the Diploma Course in Applied and Clinical Hypnosis for qualified health practitioners at University College London. She is and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, and Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine (Hypnosis and Psychosomatic Medicine Section). She has worked as a clinical psychologist in the mental health service of the NHS for 40 years. During this time she was made Head of the Psychology Department of Warley Psychiatric teaching Hospital in Brentwood, Essex, where she worked and pioneered, with the help of a few colleagues, the first professional Hypnosis Training Workshops for health professionals which included a mix of psychologists, doctors and psychiatrists. She was also a founder member of the British Society of Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis.

About the Authors.

Acknowledgements.

Introduction.

1. Hypnosis and Memory.

2. The Nature of Trauma Memory with Particular Reference to Experiences Following Childhood Abuse.

3. The Nature of Dissociation and the Long-Term Consequences of Childhood Abuse.

4. Hypnotic Interventions to Resolve Trauma Memories in the Treatment of Survivors of Childhood Abuse.

5. The Treatment of Survivors of Childhood Abuse.

6. Illustrations of Therapeutic Work with Hypnosis in Survivors of Childhood Abuse.

References.

Index.