Tranceformation: Hypnosis, Dissociation and Trauma

Abstract
Hypnosis was the first Western form of psychotherapy, yet it remains underutilized in part because of insufficient understanding of its neural basis. Hypnosis involves highly focused attention, coupled with dissociation of aspects of awareness, an increase in cognitive flexibility, and an enhanced ability to modulate perception. Considerable evidence has emerged regarding this regarding underlying brain mechanisms, including studies employing event-related potentials, PET and fMRI. Our recent resting state fMRI data demonstrate functional connectivity between the executive control and salience networks among high but not low hypnotizable individuals. The hypnotic state involves reduced activity in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (key region in the salience network), heightened functional connectivity between the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (executive control network) and the insula, and inverse functional connectivity between the left DLPFC and the posterior cingulate cortex, part of the default mode network. Neuroimaging of those with PTSD has demonstrated similarities between the hypnotic state and responses to trauma, in particular dissociative reactions to trauma and its aftermath. The introduction of the Dissociative Subtype of PTSD into the DSM-5 and DSM-5-TR, involving depersonalization and/or derealization in addition to the exposure, intrusion, avoidance, demoralization and hyperarousal symptoms, has underscored the importance of dissociation as a treatable response to trauma, accessible through the controlled dissociation of the hypnotic state.

Despite this progress in understanding the neural basis of hypnosis and its salience to trauma and PTSD, it remains underutilized. Hypnotic techniques for addressing and treating PTSD and other trauma-related disorders will be presented. Research on modifications of exposure-based psychotherapies to assist with dissociative responses, in particular teaching the use of dissociation to separate physiological from psychological responses to trauma exposure and the use of hypnosis to help with restructuring of trauma-related memories will be presented.

Target Audience

Those seeking to participate in this webinar must be licensed mental health professionals (psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, mental health counselors, accredited psychotherapists, etc.). ISSTD staff will audit license information prior to the start of the course and may request additional documentation for your license.

We do accept students enrolled in a program of study leading to a degree or certification in the mental health field and who have an interest in trauma and dissociation. Students must submit proof of student status such as a transcript or registration record. For those who have completed their degree and are currently in the pre-licensure stage practicing under the license of another clinician, you must provide the name and license information for the person you are working with. Documentation should be sent to ISSTD staff at [email protected] before registering. 

This webinar content is at the beginning/introductory level.

Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this session participants will be able to:

  • Discuss the the nature of hypnosis
  • Describe the brain basis of hypnosis
  • Explain the brain basis of dissociation
  • Describe how hypnosis can be utilized to treat traumatic dissociation
  • Analyze evidence regarding the efficacy of hypnosis in treating traumatic dissociation

Course summary

Available credit: 
  • 1.50 APA
    The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
  • 1.50 ASWB ACE
    The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), #1744, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/20/2024 – 08/20/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 1.50 continuing education credits.
  • 1.50 ISSTD Certificate Program
    This program is eligible for 1.50 credits in the ISSTD Certificate Program. No certificate of completion is generated for this type of credit.
Course opens: 
01/21/2025
Course expires: 
12/31/2050
ISSTD Member cost:
$35.00
Your Price:
$55.00
Part of: 
From Invisible to Visible - Day Three
Rating: 
0

Dr. David Spiegel

Dr. David Spiegel is Willson Professor and Associate Chair of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Director of the Center on Stress and Health, and Medical Director of the Center for Integrative Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine, where he has been a member of the academic faculty since 1975, and was Chair of the Faulty Senate from 2010-2011. Dr. Spiegel has 50 years of clinical and research experience studying psycho-oncology, stress and health, pain control, psychoneuroendocrinology, sleep, hypnosis, dissociation and trauma trreatment. He has conducted randomized clinical trials involving the use of hypnosis, breathwork, and psychotherapy. He has published thirteen books, 445 scientific journal articles, and 175 book chapters on hypnosis, psychosocial oncology, stress physiology, trauma, and psychotherapy. I has worked throughout his career to integrate psychiatric principles into the understanding and treatment of oncological illness, to build our neurobiological understanding of hypnosis, and to apply it to the treatment of pain, stress, dissociative disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, insomnia and smoking habituation. His research involes fMRI, psycho-oncology, and TMS has been supported by the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute on Aging, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Fetzer Institute, the Dana Foundation for Brain Sciences, and the Nathan S. Cummings Foundation. He was a member of the work groups on stressor, trauma-related and dissociative disorders for the DSM-IV and DSM-5. He was asked to deliver an address on hypnosis at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2018. He is Past President of the American College of Psychiatrists and the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, and is a member of the National Academy of Medicine.

Available Credit

  • 1.50 APA
    The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
  • 1.50 ASWB ACE
    The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), #1744, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/20/2024 – 08/20/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 1.50 continuing education credits.
  • 1.50 ISSTD Certificate Program
    This program is eligible for 1.50 credits in the ISSTD Certificate Program. No certificate of completion is generated for this type of credit.

Price

ISSTD Member cost:
$35.00
Your Price:
$55.00
Please login or register to take this course.

"Your Price" above reflects your final price based on your membership status and career level. 

  • ISSTD defines a student as those enrolled in a program of study leading to a degree or certification in the mental health field and who have an interest in trauma and dissociation. 
  • ISSTD defines an emerging professional as mental health professionals who have completed an advanced degree and are in the first three years of their career (or first three years after graduation for researchers).
  • If you do not fall into one of the above categories please register as Professional/Retired. 

These prices are for Tier I countries. For a list of countries by Tier click here. If you are located in a country that falls into Tier II-VI please contact ISSTD at [email protected] to receive the appropriate discount code.

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