Behaviour Therapy Theories in Clinical Hypnosis - Essay Example

?Behaviour Therapy Theories in Clinical Hypnosis Introduction Hypnotherapy or clinical hypnosis can be simply referred to the application of ‘an altered state of consciousness’ (Mayo clinic 2005) for letting patients to recollect memories that are of significant value for them and to forget memories that are disturbing them. Clinical hypnosis is mainly used for weight loss, smoking cessation, or self improvement. To define, “clinical hypnosis is described as working in a similar way to the natural process of memory, by either kick-starting a memory association or re-creating an emotional link” (James 2010, p.40). It must be noted that patients are not treated with hypnosis but they are treated during the course of hypnosis. This paper will evaluate the role that behaviour therapy theories have to play in clinical hypnosis. In addition, the paper will give specific focus to how these theories apply to the hypnobehavioural treatment of unwanted habits and anxiety conditions. Behaviour therapy theories Behaviour therapy can be defined as a well developed approach to psychotherapy and it works on the strength of a set of techniques for helping patients recollect needed facts and eliminate unnecessary behaviours (Gregory 2004, pp. 92-93). These methods pay attention to behaviours but not thoughts or feelings that cause them. Clinical psychologists use a formula, Event + Response = Outcome, to address various hypnobehavioural conditions (Onyango 2010). According to various behaviourism studies, every response produced as a result of the particular event is automatic and without the awareness of the mind. The study of behaviourism does not consider awareness as a central element in behaviour development. The foundation of the behaviourism is that almost all the behaviours are developed from the surrounding environment. In terms of nature, behavioural therapies can be empirical, contextual, functional, probabilistic, monistic, and relational (Sundberg et al 2001, pp. 320-321). Classical conditioning and operant conditioning are two different learning methods and are central to behaviourism. The theory of classical conditioning was developed by Ivan Petrovich Pavlov through his experiments with dogs. This theory states that the process of learning is characterised with ‘associations between unconditioned reflex behaviours’ (Cartwright 2002, p.61). More precisely, it is a type of learning where a conditioned stimulus signals the occurrence of a second stimulus called unconditioned stimulus (ibid). The unconditioned stimulus may be often biologically important stimulus like pain or food and they are capable of producing a response (unconditioned response) initially (ibid). In contrast, the conditioned stimulus is not able to elicit a response at first. However, it can also elicit a response (conditioned response) once it is conditioned (Coon & Mitterer 2008, pp.220-221). Operant conditioning is another form of psychological learning and the term was coined by B.F Skinner (Skinner, n.d.). Under this learning method, an individual modifies his/her own behaviour with respect to the consequences of that particular behaviour or response. Simply, operant conditioning specifically focuses on the modification of individuals’ voluntary behaviour (Andrasik 2005, p.38). Role of behaviour therapy theories in clinical hypnosis As stated above, today behavioural therapy theories are widely used in the field of clinical hypnosis. These theories are mainly used to eliminate unwanted behaviours and to treat anxiety conditions. Systematic desensitisation is a behavioural therapy used in the field of clinical hypnosis to treat people’s phobias and other anxiety disorders (Duvenage 2008). This behavioural therapy works on the basis of the classical conditioning theory. Some therapists claim that use of operant conditioning theory is also required to treat some various phobias and anxiety conditions (Gibbons 1986). Under the systematic desensitisation therapy, the therapists suggests the client some relaxation exercises and trains the client how to relax. The therapist may either arrange for relaxation training during therapy sessions or provide the client with relaxation instructions that can be practiced at home. Once the client becomes relaxed, both the therapist and the client work together to ‘identify a hierarchy of fear-eliciting stimuli situations’ (Duvenage 2008). The intensity of such situations may range from highly to minimally fearful. During the time of trance, a ‘cue word’ is installed and paired with the anxieties of the patient (ibid). Through hypnosis, it is easy to rapidly elicit the relaxation response, which in turn will become associated with the anxieties of the patient (ibid). Since hypnosis is capable of eliciting the relaxation response quickly, the pace of the whole therapeutic process will be increased (ibid). ‘Flooding’ is another classical conditioning technique used in hypnosis to treat phobia. Here the therapist allow patient to confront with the fear factor without any scope of usual reinforcement (McEntarffer 2008, pp. 212). In other words, the dreadful situation is created in intense without any associated relaxation so that the patient becomes familiar with the condition and learns he is safe (ibid). As compared to real life situations, flooding practiced in vitro is found more safe and effective, because the therapist can easily and effectively create an apt environment for the client through hypnotism. Yet another classical conditioning technique widely used in hypnosis is ‘massed practice’ which is also found effective in dealing with certain types of unwanted habits. Here the therapist let the patient repeatedly confront a stimulus that prompts the habit, and thus creates tiredness or boredom in the subconscious mind of the patient (Eason 2012). As mentioned above, massed practice is advisable only for mild emotional problems and never done when there is chance for physical injury. ‘Aversion’ is a kind of hypnobehavioural treatment founded on the classical conditioning theory (Fox & Joughin 2002, p. 53). This is mainly used for helping the patient dislike a stimulus, which in fact he/she is very fond of (ibid). The technique used here is that the patient is reminded about the unwanted behaviour pared with a highly painful or unpleasant stimulus; and this is based on the assumption that the aversive stimulus would inhibit the unwanted behavior (Homer, n.d.). The theory is applied both in vivo and in vitro. For instance, a patient with smoking habit can be allowed to smoke cigarettes one after another until he turns sick. This will cause the patient to remember the consequences of the habit linked with the stimulus, and that would inhibit the unwanted habit- smoking (ibid). In vitro, the image of the aversive stimulus is brought into the sub-conscious mind of the patient easily and synthesized with the unwanted behaviour. As compared to the natural setting (in vivo), artificial setting (in vitro) is found more effective, for creating the image of an aversive stimulus in the mind of the patient during hypnosis is easy (Walters & Oakley 2003). Anger management and relaxation techniques are effective in hypnotherapy, for it evades anxieties and stress, which are possibly the causes of passive or aggressive behaviours (Bryant & Mabbutt 2010, p. 293). In this approach, situations that cause the patient’s passive or aggressive behaviour are deliberately created and practiced in vitro and later transferred to situations in vivo. The theory applied mostly in this context is Skinner’s Operant conditioning. The theory maintains that by applying these tactics, a passive or aggressive behaviuor can be changed into more assertive behavior (Bruke 2008, p. 63). To illustrate, the treatment here wholly intends bringing changes to the way of behavior in terms of the patient’s body language and communication patterns and make the person more assertive (ibid). ‘Reinforcement’ is another operant conditioning technique applied in hypnobehavioural therapy. According to this theory, the behaviour heavily depends on the consequences of the response (Lidwell, et al 2010, p.174). The consequences work either as positive reinforcement or negative reinforcement. Positive reinforcement refers to award or an added positive stimulus whereas negative reinforcement indicates punishment or the removal of an aversive stimulus (ibid, p. 175). With regard to hypnobehavioural approach, reinforcement becomes relevant (Chapman 2005, p.263). For instance, the client being hypnotised tends to confuse if he/she is heading the right way. In that context, therapist preferably uses words or phrases like ‘right, that’s great’ etc to reinforce the person. This has great effects on the response of the patient and thereby on the overall result. Evidently, hypnobehavioural approach is found very effective for its various advantages and practicality. Firstly, as compared to simple behavioural approaches, hypnobehavioural approach produces quicker effects and maximum responses even in shorter sessions. This happens as the therapist utilizes the feasibility of communicating directly with the patients’ sub-conscious mind so as to inculcate the intended behavioural changes. Sub-conscious mind is the database where all desired and undesired behaviours are stored, and hence, the changes made (only) in this area produce real cure (Dch & Fox 2005, p. 29). As Duvenage (2008) purports, all behavioural techniques actually rely entirely on the learning process. This “learning process starts as a conscious process and thereafter becomes unconscious” (ibid). According to the writer, the entire learning process can be speeded up through hypnosis as the conscious mind is inhibited and the unconscious learning occurs instantly during the therapy; and since hypnosis enhances this learning process, it has a significant role in behavioural therapy. Conclusion In total, behavioural theories are widely applied in clinical hypnosis. Behavioural therapy is based on a set of well defined learning theories (particularly classical conditioning and operant conditioning) and it emphasises the role of experience to address unwanted behaviours. Classical conditioning theory is applied in hypnosis through different techniques, namely systematic desensitisation, flooding, aversion. In this theory a neutral stimuli is coupled with a response and later the neutral stimuli is joined with the natural stimuli so as to make the patient able to respond to the neutral stimuli even in the absence of natural stimuli. In operant conditioning, the patient is taught to link the particular behaviour with the consequences so that the unwanted behaviour is evaded. Here it is important to asses where, when, and how the patient learned linking punishment or award with behaviour. Assertiveness training and reinforcement are the notable operant techniques used in hypnotherapy. 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