The 2024 First Edition of the Routledge International Handbook of Clinical Hypnosis is a compendium of state-of-the-art neuroscience focusing on practice-oriented aspects of clinical hypnosis in healthcare settings. It contains the work of 90 contributors from the global field. Dr. Julie H. Linden, Ph.D., was the lead editor, along with Giuseppe De Benedittis, Laurence I. Sugarman, and Katalin Varga. This is the essential textbook on clinical hypnotherapy, which has experts from many fields. Here is a complete list of contents and authors.
I was fortunate to co-author two chapters of the book concerning the dark side of hypnosis with the late law professor emeritus Alan W. Scheflin, my dear friend, colleague, and mentor. Alan wrote one of the first books on MK-Ultra and co-authored many essential volumes, including Memory, Trauma, Treatment, and the Law.
Julie is the Past President of The International Society of Hypnosis, American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, and Greater Philadelphia Society of Clinical Hypnosis. She received the Josephine Hilgard Award from the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis twice and was awarded the ISH Benjamin Franklin Gold Medal in 2018. She is a co-author with Laurence Sugarman, MD, of Changing Minds with Clinical Hypnosis: Narratives and Discourse for a New Health Care Paradigm. Julie was an early pioneer of pediatric hypnotic pain management (1975). She has worked with patients in burn units, during medical procedures, in emergency rooms, surgery preparation, chronic illness, and many other circumstances where benefit from clinical hypnotic techniques might be found.
Exploring the Power and Many Sides of Hypnosis
One of Julie’s earliest memories when she understood the true power of hypnosis on the embodied mind was during a time when she worked in a burn unit. She recalled a young boy who had been admitted after a horrific scalding accident. The boy was having a terrible time getting through the critical debridement procedures due to the pain and fear he was having. By working with him on imagery and visualization, Julie discovered that the boy could then complete the procedures with tolerable pain levels and significantly less anxiety. The result gave the boy the ability to heal optimally and a long-term return to a full range of motion.
Over time, Julie discovered that clinical hypnotic techniques were helpful in a variety of situations, including pain management, irritable bowel difficulties, childbirth, surgical techniques, and more. She described a situation where she was assisting a 7-year-old girl with stomach pain on waking up every morning. There was no medical evidence to explain the discomfort, thus it seemed a functional symptom. School was the primary source of the girl’s anxiety. Julie remembered having the girl practice a very successful technique using visualization to connect the “elevator” from her digestive system to her mind so she could talk about her worries. The results were very successful.
Storytelling, Metaphor, and Connecting to Universal Wisdom in Clinical Practice
Dr. Linden is an expert on utilizing therapeutic metaphors. We discussed how metaphors and storytelling often help people connect with their bodies and how past traumas can make people feel disassociated from bodily sensations. I mentioned one of my first teachers of hypnotherapy, Stephen Lankton, and his book Tales of Enchantment: Goal-Oriented Metaphors for Adults and Children in Therapy, designed to help clinicians with storytelling in clinical practice. Julie and I discussed other professionals specializing in cultural competencies, therapeutic metaphors, and resourcing awareness in clinical settings.
Julie believes in utilizing the healing possibilities by tapping into our deep spiritual wisdom when we learn how to access our mind-body connections. She reminded listeners that we are not helpless victims even when victimized. We both agreed that personal empowerment was essential to the healing process.
Truths and Myths Surrounding Hypnotic Trance State and Undue Influence
In this interview, we also talked about public perception surrounding hypnotic trance states. I stated that, unfortunately, a lot of people still imagine a stage hypnotist swinging a watch when they think about definitions of hypnosis and trance states. However, real hypnotic states can be potent tools to direct the mind, whether for beneficial or nefarious purposes. Therefore, people must learn the difference and be careful about who they choose for intentional clinical suggestions.
Furthermore, it is crucial to recognize hypnotic elements used in all forms of influence, such as advertising, thought control, persuasive speech, or addictions to technology. Dopamine addiction is a critical element of our electronic world, and influencers are seeking to control our minds by understanding and utilizing this fact. Influencers count on us to continue to scroll endlessly and buy whatever they’re selling, so we must learn skills and tools to recognize their tactics and control our minds.
Julie spoke about the continued increased interest she sees in medicine surrounding clinical hypnotic techniques. We discussed how important and beneficial that could be when prescribing physicians and their ability to offer patients alternatives or integrative therapies for traditional pharmaceutical-based treatment plans, such as pain management. Julie seeks to continue to travel the world, lecturing and training others on the enormous potential for hypnosis to be integrated into healthcare practices. Alongside this effort, we at the Freedom of Mind Resource Center shall continue to ensure individuals are fully empowered to understand how to safely use hypnotic techniques in medicine, with appropriate informed consent, and recognize and avoid inappropriate uses of mind control.
Resources:
Website – Dr. Julie H. Linden, Ph.D.
Routledge International Handbook of Clinical Hypnosis
The International Society of Hypnosis
American Society of Clinical Hypnosis
Greater Philadelphia Society of Clinical Hypnosis
American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis
Changing Minds with Clinical Hypnosis: Narratives and Discourse for a New Health Care Paradigm
FOM resources:
BITE Model of Authoritarian Control
Evaluating Undue Influence: Scheflin’s Model as a Framework
The Therapeutic Use of Hypnosis to Improve Health and Recover from Trauma with Laurence Sugarman, MD
Hypnosis, Guided Meditation, Deep Visualizations-Consumers Beware Steven Hassan PhD
