In this session, Dr David Patterson provides an introduction to hypnosis. He shares insightful research into hypnosis and uses client examples from his personal practice to illustrate the effectiveness of using hypnosis to relieve chronic pain.

In this session, Dr David Patterson investigates the basics of hypnosis. He discusses how to define hypnosis to patients and dispel some of the myths that are associated with hypnosis. Dr Patterson outlines the potential harmful affects of hypnosis and provides us with a step-by-step guide for a basic hypnotic induction.

In this session, Dr David Patterson investigates theories of hypnosis. He outlines the theories of Hypnosis as a trait, hypnosis as a social interaction, hypnosis as a special state and hypnosis as a brain phenomenon, describing each theory’s content and how they might be helpful for treating patients.

In this session, Dr David Patterson investigates dissociation in hypnosis. He defines what dissociation is and explains the differences between pathological dissociation and normal dissociation. Dr Patterson outlines how to use normal, benign dissociation in hypnosis to separate control over behaviour from conscious control and encourage multiple pathway of brain processing.

In this session, Dr David Patterson investigates non-linear hypnotic inductions. He discusses the differences between direct and non-direct hypnotic inductions, explaining how non-linear inductions reduce resistance and are more likely to be generative. Dr Patterson outlines how to use the disruption of linear processing to facilitate hypnosis with metaphors and generative suggestions.

In this session, Dr David Patterson investigates Erickson’s principle of utilisation. He discusses hypnosis as a co-operative approach between the hypnotist and the subject and how the notion of utilisation is an important concept that comes out of the co-operative approach. Dr Patterson explains what utilisation is and outlines two applications of utilisation in hypnosis.