Fundamentals of Clinical Hypnosis – Bloom Therapy

Organization: Bloom Therapy

Website: https://bloomtherapytx.com/service/fundamentals-of-clinical-hypnosis/

Event Title: Fundamentals of Clinical Hypnosis

Dates: 09/12/25 – 09/14/25

Expected Schedule:

• Friday; 9am-5:45pm (1-hour Lunch break); 7 CE hours
• Saturday; 9am-5:45pm (1-hour Lunch break); 7.25 CE hours
• Sunday; 9am-5:45pm (1-hour Lunch break); 7.25 CE hours

Location: In person, Bloom Therapy, 1206 W. 43rd St, Austin, TX

CE: 21.50

Contact: Katy David, katy@bloomtherapytx.com

Abstract:
The purpose of this workshop is to provide licensed mental health clinicians the foundational information and experiential practice necessary to begin integrating clinical hypnosis into their established skillset and clinical work with patients, specifically in an outpatient mental health setting. The workshop is designed as a unique in-person, small-group learning opportunity. The syllabus is designed so that the CE hours may count as the Level 1 Basic training that is a required component towards ASCH certification in Clinical Hypnosis. This workshop strictly follows the most up-to-date ASCH-ERF Standards of Training for a Level 1 workshop and proposes 21.5 hours of CE hours.

The curriculum includes all didactic educational topics and experiential group practice exercises required by ASCH-ERF in a Level 1/Basic Clinical Hypnosis Workshop. We will define hypnosis, offer a brief history of hypnosis, and correct common misperceptions about the natural process of hypnosis and brain state of trance. An overview of the neuroscience of the trance state will be offered. Participants will be shown various demonstrations of the hypnotic process, utilizing both audience volunteers and video recordings of work with actual clients (with client consent). Each stage of the hypnotic process will be taught, explored, and practiced. The workshop will include four separate small group practice sessions, with at least one practice session taking place on each of the workshop days. Special attention will be given to ethics, treatment planning, and integrating clinical hypnosis into clinical practice, as these topics are especially relevant to mental health practitioners.

Agenda and Learning Objectives:

Friday, September 12th 

1. ASCH Membership & Certification Process —15 minutes
At the conclusion of this module the participant will be able to:
● Discuss ASCH’s clinical hypnosis standards of training, levels of training, and requirements for, ASCH certification; and
● Describe the opportunities available for further training, membership and certification.

2. Introduction to Clinical Hypnosis (definitions, brief history, misconceptions) —30 minutes
At the conclusion of this module the participant will be able to:
● Provide at least one commonly accepted definition of clinical hypnosis;
● Explain four hypnosis terms and how they apply to the clinical hypnosis experience; and
● Define two commonly held misperceptions concerning hypnosis and give an accurate rebuttal for each.

3. Neuroscience of Hypnosis—45 minutes
At the conclusion of this module the participant will be able to:
● Describe how hypnosis affects the autonomic nervous system and the stress response; and
● Detail three implications of neurophysiological research on the practice of clinical hypnosis.

4. A View of a Hypnotic Experience —45 minutes
At the conclusion of this module the participant will be able to:
● Describe the steps in a formal hypnotic encounter;
● Identify two characteristics of trance exhibited by the subject; and
● Define three changes the facilitator made during the reorientation phase of trance.

5. Group Hypnotic Experience —30 minutes
At the conclusion of this module the participant will be able to:
● Experience clinical hypnosis and identify three aspects of their individual experience of trance.

6. Principles and Process of Rapport, Attunement, Elicitation, Re-alerting and Reorientation —75 minutes
At the conclusion of this module the participant will be able to:
● Describe three effective ways to build and reinforce rapport;
● Describe at least four observable physiological and four psychological/behavioral signs of trance;
● Discuss the importance of removing suggestions; and
● Demonstrate at least three methods of reorienting.

7. Introduction to Small Group Practice -30 minutes
At the conclusion modules #7 & 8, the participant will be able to:
● Identify the goals and rules of the experiential small group practice modules.
8. Demonstration of Specific Trance Elicitation for Small Group Practice #1 —15 minutes

9. Small Group Practice of Hypnotic Process #1 (Rapport, Elicitation, Re-alerting, Reorientation) —105 minutes
At the conclusion of this module the participant will be able to:
● Demonstrate one method to build attunement (rapport) with the subject;
● Facilitate at least one elicitation and reorientation method with a member of the group, describe his/her responses, and what they observed in the behavior of the participant; and
● Adapt the hypnotic process/procedures to the observed behavior of the subject in trance.

10. Ethical Principles and Professional Conduct —30 minutes
At the conclusion of this module the participant will be able to:
● Describe at least two ethical-legal issues; and
● Discuss standards for professional conduct in using hypnosis clinically.

Saturday, September 13th

11. Intensification of Trance —60 minutes
At the conclusion of this module the participant will be able to:
● Describe three methods of trance intensification;
● Demonstrate the ability to intensify the hypnotic experience in ways best tailored to their patient; and
● Identify how fractionation can be used to intensify trance.

12. Fundamentals of Hypnotic Communication —45 minutes
At the conclusion of this module the participant will be able to:
● Explain at least two ways hypnotic communication creates positive expectancy;
● Discuss Erickson’s Principle of Individualization and Utilization as it pertains to language and suggestion; and
● Name at least four commonly used words/phrases to reinforce the patient’s hypnotic experience; and
● Differentiate between direct and indirect suggestion.

13. Hypnotic Phenomena —45 minutes
At the conclusion of this module the participant will be able to:
● Explain five different hypnotic phenomena;
● Discuss and describe how the concept of trance logic and other hypnotic phenomena can be used therapeutically;
● List at least three principles of eliciting phenomenon; and
● Define abreaction and describe how it can be addressed therapeutically.

14. Ego Strengthening —45 minutes
At the conclusion of this module the participant will be able to:
● Define what is meant by ego strengthening and how it might be used in clinical practice;
● Identify three different types of ego strengthening; and
● Describe at least three strategies for ego strengthening in clinical hypnosis practice.

15. Demonstration of Specific Trance Elicitation for Small Group Practice #2 —15 minutes

16. Small Group Practice #2 (Rapport, Elicitation, Intensification, Re-alerting/Re-orientation) —105 minutes
At the conclusion of modules #15 & #16 the participant will be able to:
● Demonstrate the ability to build attunement (rapport) with the subject different from previous practice module;
● Facilitate at least one elicitation method, one intensification method and reorientation method with a member of the group different from previous practice module, describe his/her responses, and what they observed in the behavior of the participant; and
● Adapt the hypnotic process/procedures to the observed behavior of the subject in trance.

17. Self-hypnosis —45 minutes
At the conclusion of this module the participant will be able to:
● Define self-hypnosis and explain the difference between self-hypnosis and hetero-hypnosis;
● Describe at least three therapeutic applications of self-hypnosis in clinical practice; and
● Explain how to teach self-hypnosis to a patient.

18. Understanding and Utilization of Resistance —45 minutes
At the conclusion of this module the participant will be able to:
● Describe three types of resistance; and
● Identify at least four strategies for bypassing or working through resistance.

19. Clinical Hypnosis with Children —30 minutes
At the conclusion of this module the participant will be able to:
● Identify three developmental characteristics that make children particularly hypnotizable;
● Describe how hypnotic approaches vary according to the developmental age of the child; and
● Describe the therapeutic benefits and applications of using hypnosis with children.

Sunday, September 14th

20. Demonstration of Specific Trance Facilitation for Small Group Practice #3 —15 minutes

21. Small Group Practice #3 (Rapport, Elicitation, Intensification, Suggestion, and Re-alerting/Reorientation) —120 minutes
At the conclusion of modules #20 & 21 the participant will be able to:
● Demonstrate the ability to build attunement (rapport) with the subject different from previous practice module;
● Facilitate at least one elicitation method, one intensification method, an ego strengthening suggestion and reorientation with a member of the group different from previous practice module, describe his/her responses, and what they observed in the behavior of the participant; and
● Adapt the hypnotic process/procedures to the observed behavior of the subject in trance.

22. Patient Assessment; Discussing Clinical Hypnosis with Patients; Memory and Hypnosis; Informed Consent —45 minutes
At the conclusion of this module the participant will be able to:
● Summarize at least three key points about hypnosis to discuss in a non-technical manner with a client or patient;
● Review important elements and recommended procedures in obtaining informed consent regarding the use of hypnosis clinically; and
● Discuss the fallibility of memory.

23. Treatment Planning Including Clinical Hypnosis —60 minutes
At the conclusion of this module the participant will be able to:
● Execute a thorough case assessment to elucidate the information necessary to develop a quality treatment plan;
● Design a treatment plan for a patient who presents with anxiety; and
● List at least 4 hypnotic techniques/application that may be best suited to achieve the specific therapeutic goal in the case presented.

24. Demonstration of Specific Trance Facilitation for Small Group Practice #4 —15 minutes

25. Small Group Practice #4 (Rapport, Elicitation, Intensification, Hypnotic Phenomenon, Suggestion, & Re- alerting/Reorientation —135 minutes
At the conclusion of modules # 24 & 25 the participant will be able to:
● Demonstrate the ability to build attunement (rapport) with the subject different from previous practice modules by identifying ego strengthening suggestions of interest to subject to use in the treatment phase of the process;
● Facilitate at least one elicitation method, one intensification method, an ego strengthening suggestion, elicit hypnotic phenomenon and reorientation with a member of the group different from previous practice module, describe his/her responses, and what they observed in the behavior of the participant;
● Adapt the hypnotic process/procedures to the observed behavior of the subject in trance; and
● Clarify readiness for incorporating hypnosis into practice.

26. Integrating Hypnosis into Clinical Practice —45 minutes
At the conclusion of this module the participant will be able to:
● Describe situations of uncertainty that might occur as clinical hypnosis is included in practice and identify strategies for managing/resolving such;
● List at least three uses of hypnosis to your discipline that you have been taught and are ready to apply and three applications of hypnosis that require more training; and
● Describe three ways that he or she will begin to incorporate hypnotic communication, hypnosis and hypnotic techniques into his/her practice.
● Clarify any lingering questions or areas of confusion.
● Feel a baseline level of confidence, encouragement and support in beginning to practice Clinical Hypnosis ethically and immediately, within their specific areas of professional practice.
● Understand the importance of practicing skills now, while the information is fresh in their minds, in order to integrate their new learnings into skills and prepare for the intermediate course material.
● Be able to resolve any self-doubts or inner narratives that may prevent them from practicing.