Suggestive Communication with Critically Ill
Presented by Katalin Varga, PhD, DSc
Friday, May 9, 2025
9am-10:30am PT / 11am-12:30pm CT / 12pm-1:30pm ET
Event held online via Zoom, link to access provided upon registration.
This presentation will present research results proving that appropriate communication strategies – which our team calls Psychological Support Based on Positive Suggestions – can improve medical care in various settings: intensive care, eye surgery, orthopedic surgery, obstetrics, and others. The effect of these techniques is reflected in various parameters (shorter hospital stays, better cooperation, less medication, reduced side effects, etc.) (Johnson et al., 2020; Karnatov et al., 2021; Kekecs et al., 2012, 214, 2015; Schlanger et al., 2013; Szeverényi et al., 2016, 2018; Szilágyi et al., 2014; Varga et al., 2013).
The approach is based on the observation that the patients in medical settings are in a state very close to the hypnotic state, so any comment by healthcare personnel may function as powerful hypnotic suggestions. In addition to a review of research results, this presentation will present the suggestive communication exercises that our team uses in training medical professionals. These exercises focus on the importance of rapport, communicating in situations of emotional involvement, using suggestive techniques in critical situations, applying simple metaphors, etc. The presenter will also discuss the relevance of these experiences in training professionals (nurses, psychologists, doctors, physiotherapists, etc.).
Zoom link will be available on course page in “My Courses” upon event registration.
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.
This presentation will present research results proving that appropriate communication strategies – which our team calls Psychological Support Based on Positive Suggestions – can improve medical care in various settings: intensive care, eye surgery, orthopedic surgery, obstetrics, and others. The effect of these techniques is reflected in various parameters (shorter hospital stays, better cooperation, less medication, reduced side effects, etc.) (Johnson et al., 2020; Karnatov et al., 2021; Kekecs et al., 2012, 214, 2015; Schlanger et al., 2013; Szeverényi et al., 2016, 2018; Szilágyi et al., 2014; Varga et al., 2013).
The approach is based on the observation that the patients in medical settings are in a state very close to the hypnotic state, so any comment by healthcare personnel may function as powerful hypnotic suggestions. In addition to a review of research results, this presentation will present the suggestive communication exercises that our team uses in training medical professionals. These exercises focus on the importance of rapport, communicating in situations of emotional involvement, using suggestive techniques in critical situations, applying simple metaphors, etc. The presenter will also discuss the relevance of these experiences in training professionals (nurses, psychologists, doctors, physiotherapists, etc.).
After attending this intermediate-level program, participants will be able to:
- Explain the concept of “critically ill”
- Discuss the main principles of suggestive communication
This program meets APA’s continuing education STANDARD 1.1: Program content focuses on application of psychological assessment and/or intervention methods that have overall consistent and credible empirical support in the contemporary peer reviewed scientific literature beyond those publications and other types of communications devoted primarily to the promotion of the approach.
This program meets APA’s continuing education GOAL 1: Program is relevant to psychological practice, education, and/or science.
General Admission: $65.00
SCEH Members: $55.00*
Students: $15.00*
(*Please email [email protected] for coupon code)
Refund Policy: 100% of tuition is refundable up to 48 hours before the program. Within 48 hours of the program, and at any point in Homestudy format, tuition is nonrefundable.
Katalin Varga, PhD, DSc, Professor, Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), the head of the Department of Affective Psychology
Dr. Katalin Varga is a professor at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), the head of the Department of Affective Psychology, past president of the Hungarian Association of Hypnosis, and board member of the International Society of Hypnosis.
As a member of the “Budapest hypnosis research laboratory,” she is investigating hypnosis in an interactional framework, and in this multilevel approach she is focusing on the phenomenological data.
For the past 30 years she has been working with patients in a hospital setting – mostly critically ill patients – applying suggestive and hypnosis techniques. She is the founder and professor of the postgraduate training of suggestive communication in somatic medicine, co-organized by the Hungarian Association of Hypnosis and Semmelweis University School of Medicine, Budapest. She has published numerous articles and books which present her research findings on hypnosis, and clinical experiences on the application of suggestive techniques with the critically ill.
ohnson, K ; Philbrick, K ; Varga, K ; Mujic, M ; & Karnatovskaia, L. (2020). Patient and family feedback to introducing ICU doulas to provide psychological support for the critically ill. Intensive Care Medicine Experimental, 8(2), 000421. https://icm-experimental.springeropen.com/articles/supplements/volume-8-supplement-2
Linden, J. H., Sugarman, L. I., De Benedittis, G., & Varga, K. ((Eds.). (2024). The Routledge international handbook of clinical hypnosis. Routledge. https://www.perlego.com/book/4331039/the-routledge-international-handbook-of-clinical-hypnosis-pdf
Szeverényi Cs., C. Z., Balogh A., Simon T., & Varga K. (2016). Effects of positive suggestions on the need for red blood cell transfusion in orthopedic surgery. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 64(4), 404-418.
Szeverenyi Cs., K. Z., Johnson A., Elkins G., Csernatony Z., Varga K. (2018). The use of adjunct psychosocial interventions can decrease postoperative pain and improve the quality of clinical care in orthopedic surgery. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. The Journal of Pain, 19(11), 1231-1252.
Varga, K. (2019). Suggestive techniques for the management of postoperative pain. In M. Jensen (Ed.), Hypnosis for acute and procedural pain management: Favorite methods of master clinicians. (Voices of Experience series) (pp. 26-47). Denny Creek Press.
Varga, K. (2015). Communication strategies in medical settings. Peter Lang, Frankfurt am Main.
Target Audience: Healthcare professionals, mental health professionals, hypnosis practitioners, researchers, teachers, students.
Psychologists. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 1.5 continuing education credits. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology maintains responsibility for this program and its content. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is committed to accessibility and non-discrimination in its continuing education activities. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is also committed to conducting all activities in conformity with the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles for Psychologists. Participants are asked to be aware of the need for privacy and confidentiality throughout the program. If program content becomes stressful, participants are encouraged to process these feelings during discussion periods.
Counselors/Clinical Counselors. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available 1.5 hours of continuing education. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide continuing education programming for counselors and clinical counselors. License Number: 197.000159
Social Workers. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 1.5 hours of continuing education. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide continuing education programming for social workers. License Number: 159.001036
MFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs. Course meets the qualifications for 1.5 hour of continuing education credit for MFTs, LPCCs, and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. If you are licensed outside of California please check with your local licensing agency to to determine if they will accept these CEUs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to offer continuing education programming for MFTs, LPCCs, LEPs, and/or LCSWs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is an accredited or approved postsecondary institution that meets the requirements set forth in Sections 4980.54(f)(1), 4989.34, 4996.22(d)(1), or 4999.76(d) of the Code.
Non-Psychologists. Most licensing boards accept Continuing Education Credits sponsored by the American Psychological Association but non-psychologists are recommended to consult with their specific state-licensing board to ensure that APA-sponsored CE is acceptable.
*Participants must attend 100% of the program in order to obtain a Certificate of Attendance.
If participants have special needs, we will attempt to accommodate them. Please address questions, concerns and any complaints to [email protected]. There is no commercial support for this program nor are there any relationships between the CE Sponsor, presenting organization, presenter, program content, research, grants, or other funding that could reasonably be construed as conflicts of interest.