Description:

The author of this research and presentation will explore how Douglas Flemons, the developer of relational hypnosis, facilitated an enduring non-volitional shift with a client, “Grace,” who desired to have a baby but could not see or talk about blood, needles, or medical procedures without fainting. Using context-enriched conversation analysis (CECA), the author will describe how he embraced his understanding of Ericksonian and Neo-Ericksonian hypnosis methods as a guide to examine multiple sources of data, which included selected audio-recorded excerpts from Douglas and Grace’s hypnotherapeutic sessions; Grace’s descriptions of change in her email correspondence with Douglas; and Douglas’s case notes. Although there were a total of eight sessions, the author will discuss how his analysis revealed that the most influential and significant moments occurred during the first two sessions. He will demonstrate how Douglas’s initial interventions, or as he would say, intraventions, were inspired by Erickson’s (1959) notion of utilization, and how they laid the foundation for a shift in Grace’s identity, which helped her embrace a variety of resourceful skills and attributes to overcome her problem.

Educational Objectives:

1. Discuss the importance of utilizing the client’s strengths and resources in the resolution of a problem diagnosed as a phobia.
2. Describe the process of how a relational hypnotherapist communicates his therapeutic intentions in order to encourage his client to engage in, and experiment with, new behaviors.

*Sessions may be edited for content and to preserve confidentiality*