Valencia Model of Waking Hypnosis: Background, Research, and Clinical Applications

Abstract

The goal of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of the historical background, methods, and clinical applications of the Valencia Model of Waking Hypnosis (VMWH). The active-alert-waking methods have been developed and used since the 19th century as an alternative when the suggestions for relaxation and drowsiness were not helpful for specific cases, or when the person needed to use hypnotic suggestions in situations that required them to be alert and with their eyes open (i.e. in vivo exposure, sports performance, academic work, etc.). In most of these methods, the hypnotized person keeps their eyes open, and the suggestions given are for alertness, focused attention, mind expansion, and excitement. Physical relaxation is mostly not suggested, but tension or certain physical movements are used to elicit the activation of the hypnotized person. The VMWH consists of a number of methods combined to change attitudes and maximize the effects of the hypnotic suggestions. The procedures have empirical validation, and are straightforward and pleasant for patients as well as easy to learn and apply. It is structured, although its sequence is flexible and can be adapted to the needs of the intervention. Finally, research has revealed that this model has numerous advantages, and is potentially useful in clinical practice. Therefore, its incorporation into therapy may have great benefits for the patients.

Acknowledgments

The first author thanks Mr. Roman Svoboda for his help with the translation of the texts written in Czech.