The treatment of anxiety neurosis through rational stage directed hypnotherapy: A cognitive experiential perspective

Describes the treatment of a 21-yr-old female with anxiety neurosis using rational stage directed hypnotherapy, a cognitive-experiential therapy developed by the 1st author (1974) that directs the client through various developmental growth stages. In this modality, the client connects various ideas with emotions, physiological responses, and behavior. The client is guided by the therapist through the stages of awareness, exploration, commitment, implementation, internalization, and change in the expansion of self-awareness, self-acceptance, and self-direction for therapeutic change. In this case study, the S received 10 wks of therapy, and a 3-mo follow-up was conducted. Measures included objective test results (MMPI, Tennessee Self-Concept Scale), self-report measurements (anxiety, physiological responses), and behavioral data (work output). Particular attention was given to high levels of cognitive control over emotional, physiological, and behavioral states and to the use of hypnosis to enhance the experimental quality of therapy. Results of this case are consistent with previous clinical and experimental studies showing substantive positive changes in thoughts, feelings, bodily responses, and behavior. (24 ref)