Trance

published 21 Apr 2008, Manila Standard Today

What comes to mind upon the mention of the word hypnosis? Let me guess: A swinging pendulum, dangled by some villain in front of a hapless subject, usually a captured scientist or a beautiful woman. The villain then gives out instructions, which the subject carries out only too willingly. Close enough? This stereotype best illustrates the gross misconception of what is actually a branch of psychology that has yet to gain recognition, much less acceptance, in the Philippines.

According to the book Hypnosis and the Art of Self-therapy (which I got at a Booksale outlet for the pitiful price of P75) by British clinical psychologist Dr. Gordon Milne, “when hypnosis is used by a professionally trained, responsible operator, the inherent dangers are few or non-existent.”

The book goes on to show the applications of hypnosis on actual physical and psychological cases. Among these are bodily functions like failure to ovulate, control of pain, allergies and skin disorders, indigestion, insomnia, asthma, hypertension, as well as stress, anxiety, jealousy, addictions, obesity, anger, phobias, sexual inadequacy and even bad habits like nail biting.

Back here at home, another clinical psychologist, Dr. Arnold Lopez, who runs the Hypnotherapy Clinic and Psychological Assessment Center (536-1574 or 0919-8011688), says hypnosis, that sleep-like state of trance characterized by heightened suggestibility, and hypnotherapy, the use of hypnosis for treatment, are two misunderstood terms that could otherwise benefit people greatly, especially with the present trend for alternative or non-traditional ways of healing people's afflictions.

Not that it's anything voodoo. What’s creepy is the concept of animal magnetism popularized by Frank Mesmer.

Nevertheless, the mix-up remains. Wikipedia says “the confusion of Mesmerism and hypnotism continues to be perpetuated by popular fiction, the media and its portrayal in comedy stage hypnosis shows. Basically, where Mesmerism is a supernatural theory, hypnotism attempts to explain the same phenomena in more established scientific terms, by reference to psychology and physiology. As Braid puts it, it is a scientific and psycho-physiological (mind-body) discipline.”

The operative words are “scientific” and “discipline.” And Lopez should know—having been fascinated with hypnosis since his student days at the San Pablo Seminary. He wrote his masters thesis and doctoral dissertation on the matter. Intent to bridge the disconnect between the merits of the subject and its lack of recognition in the country, he also attended intensive hypnotherapy trainings in Indiana and California in the United States as well as, more recently, in Singapore. Lopez earned the certifications and headed back home to practice it, as well as teach the subject at the Graduate School of Psychology of the University of Santo Tomas, one of only two institutions which offer the subject in the psychology curriculum. The other school is Ateneo.

The length of the treatment varies, according to Lopez, on the severity of the case and the individual's response to treatment. The success rate is varied. Some need more sessions, and the therapy stretches out for months. On the other hand, some notice changes and are all right after the first session. The latter is what Milner, citing E.R. Hilgard's study on highly hypnotizable people, calls “hypnotic virtuosos.”

One session takes one hour and generally follows this sequence. First, there is a pre-hypnosis talk where the therapist prepares the client for the administration of hypnosis. He helps educate him on the process. Then follows hypnotic induction, where the client is induced into the sleep-like state. And then follow the suggestions, usually in a script consisting of direct and indirect suggestions. Here abound a multitude of techniques such as age regression, reliving experiences during a particular period in one's life. Imagery and visualization are also used. This is the heart of the process.

Last, is the post-hypnotic talk. The therapist and the client, who still is in the state of trance, agree on what the client must to address his problem after the session ends and he steps back into the real world. For example, a chain smoker, emboldened by the suggestion that he already feels healthier and more whole, agrees to deliberately reject any urge to grab the next cigarette stick.

Lopez says that once successful, the treatment is inclined to prevent recurrence of the problem, unlike anti-depressant pills, for instance, that address chemical imbalances in the body but for the short term only. Hypnotherapy gets to the root—deep below the person's consciousness—and addresses the affliction from there.

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But Lopez is concerned about the vulnerability of clients, since there is no local professional association or government regulation that defines the parameters of the practice. Consequently, anybody, even those with dubious training or with villainous (even lewd) designs can just present himself an expert in the field. And heaven help the client.

The Milne book in fact devotes a chapter, Sins of Commission, to documented cases of the destructive use of hypnosis, often for seduction. Milne agrees with one Professor Martin Orne who says that when hypnosis is used, there is an extra hazard: An unwarranted belief that hypnosis enables the therapist to gain a special sort of control over his patient.

In other countries, professional medical associations and health departments take an active role in the promotion and regulation of hypnotherapy. In the United States, for instance, the National Board for Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists certifies professional in this field. The profession is even included in the US Department of Labor Directory of Occupational Titles. In the United Kingdom, hypnotherapy has been approved as a stand-alone therapy by the Department for Education and Skills. The UK Confederation of Hypnotherapy Organizations has a public register of practitioners who are subject to the professional standards of the group.

Lopez hopes the practice becomes more accepted in the Philippines, convinced as he is of its merits for the wellness of mind and body.