Hypnosis and behavior therapy: A review

Abstract

Hypnosis is widely used as an adjunct to behavior therapy. Hypnosis can be defined both as an antecedent variable (the hypnotic context and suggestions given) and as a subject variable (the capacity to experience profound subjective changes). A factor common to hypnosis and imagination-based behavior therapies is the use of relaxation and imagination processes. Empirical studies of hypnosis and behavior therapy are reviewed. It is concluded that hypnosis as an adjunct primarily influences common therapy factors such as expectancy of success and treatment credibility. A more specific effect of hypnosis in behavior therapy still needs to be demonstrated. It is suggested that a fruitful combination of hypnosis and behavior therapy requires a therapeutic approach in which voluntary control is less prominent and suggestions for involuntary hypnotic experiences are given.