The clinical use of direct hypnotic suggestion: A traditional technique in the light of current approaches

Abstract

A psychotherapeutic procedure is described which utilized hypnosis and aspects from the behavior therapies. Direct manipulation of behavior in an efficient, effective, and replicable procedure was the goal. Posthypnotic suggestions for the manifestation of desired behaviors were combined with attempts to induce the patient to reinforce his own behavioral changes. The 2 cases presented are of male prison inmates diagnosed as having character disorders. Positive and substantiated changes in physiological, behavioral, and attitudinal areas occurred. These continued without decrease over 6 months (with some indication of healthy adjustment at 1 year) for 1 patient, and for 15 months with some continuous improvements for the second patient. The ease of and need for replication of the procedure is noted.