Contextual Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy is one of the commonly used approaches in mind-body medicine. The Contextual Model was adopted to examine the process and efficacy of hypnotherapy. In the definition of context, Baars (1989) stated three distinguishing properties as follows: (a) Contexts constitute a set of information-processing systems, (b) contexts shape conscious experience of an individual, and (c) contexts function at the unconscious level. Contexts mediate human learning, perception, emotion, memory, and judgment and information comprehension. Without a context, words and actions are meaningless. First, contexts facilitate comprehension of information. In hypnosis, the application of metaphors, examples, and analogies offer useful contexts, which will facilitate the client to increase understanding and respond to hypnotic suggestions appropriately. Second, contexts alter perceived meaning of events. Contexts presumably provide the ground against which the figure stands. Therefore, alternation of context can shift perceived meaning of an event. Third, context can prime cognitive responses. Fourth, competing contexts can create confusion. During hypnosis, when confusion occurs, it creates ambiguity and the client would pay more attention to figure out the logic hence develop a deeper focus. Lastly, contextual predominance of consciousness results in a state of absorbed mental states. In this absorption state, the individual’s attention and awareness are narrowly and exclusively focused on the engaging tasks. Contextual hypnotherapy integrates hypnosis techniques with Acceptance commitment Therapy, MindfulnessBased Cognitive Therapy, Positive Psychology Solution Focused-Brief Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and other mindfulness-based approaches