Clinical Hypnosis in the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders

Presented by David B. Reid, PsyD

Recorded on Friday, April 12, 2024

Access provided upon registration on “My Courses” page 

Anxiety is a universal human emotion that alerts us to potential threats and motivates us to prepare for anticipated life challenges. Anxiety can be an appropriate reaction to a stressful circumstance, yet for many, excessive anxiety becomes counterproductive, and at times debilitating. As a diffuse mood state, anxiety involves unpleasant emotional experiences marked by a significant degree of apprehension about the potential appearance of future aversive or harmful events (Barlow & Cerny, 1988).

Clinical hypnosis, whether facilitated by another or self-directed (i.e., self-hypnosis), has been shown to be an effective means of for treating anxiety disorders. Numerous controlled studies have been conducted that provide ample support of hypnosis as an evidence-based intervention for treating anxiety associated with dental procedures (Glaesmer et al., 2015; Huet et al., 2011), surgery and medical interventions (Akgul et al., 2016; Lang et al., 2008) test-taking and performance situations (Boutin & Tosi, 1983; Stanton, 1994; Wojcikiewicz & Orlick, 1987), as well as general anxiety (Allen, 1998; Stanton, 1984; Whitehouse et al., 1996). In the first meta-analysis quantifying the efficacy of hypnosis for treating anxiety Valentine et al. (2019) demonstrated that individuals treated with hypnosis improved more than about 79% control subjects.

This workshop will provide attendees with an overview of the evidenced-based data supporting the use of clinical hypnosis for treating anxiety disorders. Furthermore, this workshop will offer strategic applications through case studies of clinical hypnosis interventions for treating specific anxiety disorders including panic and phobias.

This program, when attended in its entirety, offers 1.5 CEs for Psychologists, 1.5 IL CEUS for Counselors and Social Workers, or 1.5 BBS California CEUs for LPCCs, LPSW, and LMFTs.