Running Head: CLINICAL HYPNOTHERAPY 1

Clinical Hypnotherapy

Name

Affiliation

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Clinical hypnosis, also known as hypnotherapy, is a powerful and effective tool to

improve the health and well-being of people. Although some individuals are apprehensive when

considering hypnotherapy as psychological treatment, usually due to the misconceptions that

they have been able to see on television or in movies. Many studies have proven their

effectiveness in addressing a multitude of problematic illnesses that are connected with

psychological disorders. Since several researchers have practiced its inception hypnosis and it

was their efforts that the modern hypnotherapy we see today exists. The changes in the hypnosis

process have also been evident over time, and many hypnotherapists have marked their presence

in the evolution of hypnotherapy (Rosen, 2006).

Franz Anton Mesmer lived around 1734 to 1815; his name in the evolution of clinical

hypnotherapy is very prominent. He initiated the concept of ‘Mesmerism’ or ‘Animal

Magnetism, ’ which was a practice that used magnets to heal his patients. Mesmer self-taught

himself and found that magnets could be used to stop the bleeding of open wounds. There was

some confusion in the magnetic therapy; therefore, he coined the name of Mesmerism to make

sure his methods were not confused with other therapies. Mesmer’s teachings were highlighted

after the King of France held a Board of Inquiry to study his practice. The results of the board

were satisfactory as they mentioned that Franz Mesmer used the ability of imagination to heal

the patients and helped them feel less pain. It was his teachings that we see today the magnetic

therapies in modern alternative medicines (Makari, 1994).

James Braid is another influential name in the evolution of hypnotherapy. He lived

around the 1820s, and authored the work of ‘Agency of Neuro-Hypnotism.’ He is considered one

of the first hypnotherapists. He was able to challenge the concepts of Mesmerism and mentioned

that hypnosis was a psychological concept of keeping the patient’s attention fixated and gaining
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control over their internal thought processes. James Braid concluded that the practice of hypnosis

was actually allowing the patient to get in a trance-like situation by the help of a bright moving

object which will allow them to focus on something particular. Braid also became the author of

the first book written on hypnosis practice called ‘Neurypnology’ in the year 1843 (Rosen,

2006).

Dave Elman lived around 1900 to 1967, making him a significant contributor in modern

hypnosis therapy. It is believed that Dave Elman trained many hypnotherapists and dentists in

the US around that time. He was the main founder of the induction practice in the clinical

hypnotherapy practice known as Rapid Induction. Elman was highly professional and was

intrigued by the idea of ‘the Esdaile state,’ which is also known as the ‘Hypnotic Coma.’ Elman

was one of the most renowned hypnotherapists and often advocated the practices of Mesmerism

(MacDonald, 2003).

All three hypnotherapists have shown great insights into professional and clinical

hypnotherapy practices. The methods of Franz Mesmer and Elman were relatively similar as they

used a magnet or rapid induction while they treated their patients. The benefits of these methods

were a higher chance of patient recovery and better results in the healing process. In this process,

James Braid used a different approach which required the fixation of the patient on certain

moving objects. The main disadvantage in this process was the breakup of the trance, which

required the process to be started again. The approach of Mesmer and Elman in this sense was

more accurate and promising. Still, the impact of these hypnotherapists is evident in the

evolution of the modern clinical hypnotherapy we see today (Rosen, 2006).

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To conclude here, we can say that all three of the hypnotherapists had given unique

insights to develop the hypnotherapy as modern alternative medicine. The Mesmerizer practice

and the rapid induction practice in hypnotherapy are still being used in the modern clinical

hypnotherapy. The practice of these therapists was differentiated by the time itself. As there were

limited resources and technology that could aid them, in further researching their practices, the

restrictions they faced are also evident. It will not be wrong to say that these hypnotherapists

were the pioneers of the modern hypnosis practice.

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References

MacDonald, R. (2003). Hypnotherapy: hype or healing?. BMJ, 326(7396), 154S-154. doi:

10.1136/bmj.326.7396.s154

Makari, G. (1994). Franz Anton Mesmer and the Case of the Blind Pianist. Psychiatric Services,

45(2), 106-110. doi: 10.1176/ps.45.2.106

Rosen, M. (2006). Meditation and hypnosis. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers.