Integrating Holistic Model in Hypnotherapy Practice - Literature review Example

The Humanistic Model The Humanistic model emerged during the early 20th Century .This is a model that provides individuals with the chance or opportunity to explore creativity, personal growth as well as self development. This is aimed to give them deeper understanding of who they are, how and what they feel as well as the opportunities that they can exploit for self growth. This approach focuses on the uniqueness of an individual and his or her potentials to grow. The lead theorist of the humanistic model was Carl Rogers. Carl Rogers was a prominent psychologist and in his model, he emphasized on the role of the individual in shaping and molding his or her internal as well as external world. According to Rogers (1946), an individual is an active and creative being who lives and responds instinctively to various experiences and encounters. Rogers came up with the term actualization tendencies which he defined as an individual’s basic instincts to succeed at his or her possible capacity. He also formed his theory of personality development that highlighted free will. The personality development approach proposed my Carl Rogers is based on a person centered psychology and a subjective experience theory. This approach indicates that every individual exists in a world with ever changing experiences and the individual is at the center of such a world (Rogers 1946). The individual therefore reacts to the changes that occur in the world in what is termed as a holistic way whereby all the behaviors that result from the reactions are motivated by actualization tendencies. The tendency for actualization drives a person to strive to achieve the best in life (Rogers 1946). Abraham Maslow expanded the humanistic model to include explanations on how human being needs change through an individual’s lifespan (Martine 2013). Maslow further developed a hierarchy of needs from the most basic physical needs to the highest which is self actualization. In his model, Maslow noted that individuals must acquire and master each need before moving to the next. The humanistic model focuses on each individual’s potential and also stresses the importance of growth and self actualization. Therefore, the fundamental belief of the humanistic model is that individuals are innately good and that mental as well as social problems are normally as a result of deviation from the natural tendencies (Martine 2013). Integrating Holistic Model in Hypnotherapy Practice Several elements of the humanistic model can be integrated in hypnotherapy. The first one is the theory that an individual knows what issues troubles him or her and the best solution to the problems can be used in the initial stages of hypnotherapy. For a hypnotherapist to deliver a successful intervention, he or she needs to be able to identify the factual issues that affect an individual. These issues can sometimes be deep rooted. To effectively identify these issues, the hypnotherapist must be unbiased and listen to the individual in order to get to know the actual issues that need to be tacked in the intervention (Rogers 1946). Listening and use of an unprejudiced approach can enable the hypnotherapist to effectively spot the core issues that should be tackled to ensure that the best solution to the problems and issues are developed. In most cases however, this approach that entails listening to the individual to identify his or her needs may be in conflict with the individual’s preconception that hypnotherapy is direct and takes a shorter time span than the time that the humanistic model might take Therefore, to build the desired environment, it is important that the hypnotherapists discusses this with the individual at the initial stages of the process (Rogers 1946). The Humanistic model theoretical assumption of self actualization and self concept could also be in hypnotherapy. Assumptions of self concept as well as the self actualization tendencies can be adopted in hypnosis. However, the model can be modified to include some issues that may be causing self conflict in an individual. Understanding self actualization tendencies can help analyze and provide solutions to an individual’s problems. The humanistic model provides an understanding of the reason an individual develops certain habits or patterns of behavior or thinking. (Martine 2013) .In addition is provides understanding of how these habits or patterns relate actual principles of that particular individual. This understanding is important in the practice of hypnotherapy. This is because it will make the hypnotherapist be in a position to give an outcome that is helpful by talking and listening to the individual. Moreover, this understanding will help in ensuring that the actual issues affecting the individual are tackled and the interventions used are in line with the true values of the individual. The outcome will be a highly effective hypnotherapy process. The Humanistic approach developed by Carl Rogers requires creation of client –therapist relationship .According to Rogers (1946), the major barriers to interpersonal communication are the natural tendencies to evaluate, judge ,approve or disapprove statements made by individuals. The humanistic model advocates for the removal of these tendencies for real communication to occur so that a therapist-individual relationship can be developed. This element of creating the therapist-individual relationship can be applied in hypnotherapy. Developing this relationship can help that the intervention is delivered faster and effectively while at the same time taking advantage of benefits of the concept of the individual’s self and the concept of actualization. ` During hypnotherapy some issues that are presented by individuals are usually lifetime denunciations. Changes in such aspects of the individual’s life are normally associated with profound impact on the life of the individual. The Humanistic model provides an avenue through which the needs and views of the individual can be understood through a person centered approach and creation of a working relationship between the individual and the therapist (Martine 2013). In some other cases the individuals are faced with the difficulty of getting into contact with their inner self. The hypnotherapist can use the humanistic model to create understanding and working relationship with the individual to help lower the barriers that prevent the individual from getting into contact with the inner self. This will therefore help in improving the effectiveness of a hypnotherapy session and help in achieving the desired outcome. The element of the humanistic model letting an individual to take part in his or her healing can also be incorporated into hypnotherapy. The humanistic model calls for allowing the individuals to take responsibility for themselves by their own will power and strengthening of their ego (Martine 2013). Even though this approach is not modeled for the individual’s unconsciousness, it can be used to make the individual being treated to be creative and helpful. This approach can also be used in hypnotherapist to reinforce and change the thinking patterns of the individual. The humanistic model can also be integrated in hypnotherapy practice to effect personality change. According to Rogers (1946) six conditions are required for personality change in an individual. The first condition is the psychological contact between the individual and the therapist. A relationship should exist between the individual and the therapy provider and the perception of each part about the other is very significant. The second condition is individual’s incongruence. According to Martine (2013), there should be incongruence between the individual’s awareness and his or her experience. The third condition is genuineness of the therapist. The therapist should be genuine and able to use his or her own experiences to create a relationship with the individual (Rogers 1946). The fourth condition is the therapist’s unconditional positive regard. This requires the therapist to unconditionally accept the individual without judging, approving or disapproving them. This helps in enabling the individuals appreciate their self worth. The other condition necessary for personality change is the empathic understanding of the individual’s internal frame of reference by the therapist (Rogers 1946). This makes the individual build unconditional love for the therapist which further strengthens their relationship. The final condition is the individual’s perception. For personality change to occur there must be at least minimal perception by the individual of the unconditional regard and empathic understanding of the therapist (Rogers 1946). These conditions can be created in hypnotherapy practice to facilitate personality change. However, the conditions can be modified depending on the issue being handed or the individual being treated. The Rogers concept of individual’s self is another element that can be used in hypnotherapy practices. According to Rogers (1946) the self concept includes three components. The first component is self worth which is what individuals think about themselves. This is normally formed in early childhood and through interaction with parents. The second component is self image which is how individuals see themselves. Self image may include the influence of body image on inner personality. It has an effect on how one thinks and behaves in the world. The third component is the ideal self which is the person an individual would like to be (Rogers 1946). It consists of life goals as well as ambitions. The ideal self of an individual may change from time to time as one grows up. Understanding and application of this self concept in hypnotherapy practice can give an individual the free will to grow and to self rationalize. This in turn improves the effectiveness of a hypnotherapy process. The practitioners of hypnosis normally break the mind of an individual down into two parts namely the conscious and the unconscious .They then analyze what moves the mind form the conscious state to the unconscious state in order to solve the problems of an individual who requires hypnotherapy. The holistic model is about a process of understanding the client takes and enabling them to express and resolve their issues in their own ways (Sammons 2010). This can be integrated in the hypnotherapy sessions to help understand and solve the problems of an individual through hypnotherapy by allowing them be part of the solution. The holistic model can be used to help the individuals discover their wholesomeness resulting in integration of all parts and removal of inner conflicts. Once this has been done and the individual can be able to attain their full potential. The Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is another important element or aspect of the humanistic approach that can be integrated into the practice of hypnotherapy. According to Martine (2013) there are six needs that an individual may have and failure to meet these needs at the various stages of the hierarchy may lead to illnesses which in most cases are psychiatrical. Understanding these needs of the individuals who require hypnotherapy is significant as it will help in solving their problems and guiding them back to their original state of well being. Therefore, a hypnotherapist require to talk to the individual and understand their various needs ant the various levels of the hierarchy so as to come up with an effective intervention that will have the desired outcome. In understanding the needs of the individual it is important to ensure that they play an active role in helping unravel their needs and also in helping come up with the best intervention for their needs and problems. The final aspect of the humanistic approach that can be integrated in hypnotherapy is the reality approach that focuses on the present issues rather than the past. The theory behind this approach is that individuals who are in mental distress do not suffer from mental illness but rather they suffer from social human condition that result from inability to meet basic psychological needs (Boundless 2013). This can be used in hypnotherapy to identify the current psychological needs that may be making an individual experience certain problem or issues that require hypnotherapy. This understanding is also vital in developing an effective intervention for that particular individual. Conclusion The humanistic approach has acquired substantial following among practitioners and can be widely integrated and used in the practice of hypnotherapy. However, the aspects and elements that are integrated in the hypnotherapy practice at times require to be modified depending on the individual and the issues being handled. References Boundless. 2013. Roger’s Theory. [Online]. Available at: https://www.boundless.com/psychology/personality/the-humanistic-perspective/rogers-theory/. [Accessed 8th July 2014]. Martine, A. 2013. Humanistic Approach to Counseling. [Online]. Available from http://www.thecounsellorsguide.co.uk/humanistic-approach-counselling.html. [Accessed 8th July 2014]. Rogers, C. 1946. Significant Aspects of Client-Centered Therapy. American Psychologist. [Online]. (1)20. p. 415-422. Available from http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/Rogers/therapy.htm. [Accessed 2nd July, 2014]. Sammons, A. 2010. Approaches to Psychology: The humanistic approach. [Online]. Available from psychlotron.org.uk. [Accessed 2nd July, 2014]. Read More