The SCEH Webinar Series allows busy health care professionals to obtain high quality clinical hypnosis training that is convenient, reasonably priced, and includes continuing education (CE) credit for licensure or certification.  Led by hypnosis experts, topics are varied and designed to impart actionable insights that can be employed immediately with patients.  SCEH Webinars are co-sponsored by SCEH and the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. All webinars will offer 1.5 APA CE credits for Psychologists and 1.5 BBS CEUs for Counselors and Social Workers.  In order to receive CE/CEU credits or a participation certificate for training, participants are required to be in attendance for the entire program.

New! Two ways to participate:

1.)  Attend live, online -- Attend our monthly series of live, online webinars, offered on a variety of clinical hypnosis topics.  See our list of Upcoming Topics below and click on the Details and Registration link for that topic to sign up.

2)   Attend later -- Access our library of past webinars, available on demand, 24/7 through our SCEH Homestudy Courses.  Some courses are already available, and others will be added. Note that for Homestudy Courses, the CE process if different from that of our live webinars.  Visit our SCEH Homestudy page for more information.

Upcoming Live Webinars

All webinars occur on Fridays (unless otherwise noted) from 12:00–1:30 PM Eastern Time USA*.        *For time conversion note see below.

February 11, 2022

The Magic Glove in its Many Forms

Leora Kuttner, PhD (Reg. Clinical Psychologist), Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia & B.C Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, Canada

Glove anesthesia has a long tradition as a hypnoanalgesic technique to reduce pain and anxiety in anticipation of and during medical procedures. Adapted to Pediatrics over 30 years ago, it became “The Magic Glove.” This child-friendly procedure invites imaginative absorption with repeated stroking the back of the hand combined with specific hypnotic suggestions for sensory changes and increased comfort.

This presentation will show videos and explore the wide range of applications for the Magic Glove: as an Induction, for Flu/Covid Vaccinations, for analgesia at the dentist, drawing blood, accessing IVs, in-dwelling ports, or lines, and for empowering patients and their parents.

About the Presenter:  Leora Kuttner, PhD (Reg. Clinical Psychologist) is a  Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia & B.C Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, Canada  She is the author of over 50 professional articles, and is a documentary filmmaker, creating five films including the award-winning film “No Fears No Tears -- 13 Years Later" on the long-term benefits of hypnosis for children with cancer. She holds many awards including Woman of Distinction’ for Health in Vancouver; The American Pain Society’s Jeffrey Lawson Award and ASCH’s William Wester Award for Excellence in Child Hypnosis.

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March 11, 2022

Suggestion vs. Medication in the Treatment of Depression

Irving Kirsch, PhD, Associate Director of the Program in Placebo Studies, Lecturer in medicine at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA

Antidepressants are supposed to work by fixing a chemical imbalance. However, analyses of the published and the unpublished data that were hidden by the drug companies reveal that most (if not all) of the benefits are due to the placebo effect, and the difference in improvement between drug and placebo is not clinically meaningful. This conclusion has been replicated in a new patient-level analysis, co-authored by officials at the FDA, of all the antidepressant data sent to them by the pharmaceutical companies between 1979 and 2016 (73,388 patients in 232 clinical trials).

Other treatments (e.g., psychotherapy and physical exercise) produce the same short-term benefits as antidepressants, show better long-term effectiveness, and do so without the side effects and health risks of the drugs, and hypnosis increase the effectiveness of psychotherapy. Instead of curing depression, popular antidepressants may produce a placebo effect at the cost of inducing a biological vulnerability making people more likely to relapse.

About the Presenter:  Irving Kirsch, PhD is Associate Director of the Program in Placebo Studies at the Harvard Medical School and Emeritus Professor of Psychology at the University of Hull (UK) and the University of Connecticut (USA). He has published 10 books, more than 250 scientific journal articles and 40 book chapters on placebo effects, antidepressant medication, hypnosis, and suggestion. He originated the concept of response expectancy. Kirsch’s meta-analyses on the efficacy of antidepressants influenced official guidelines for the treatment of depression in the UK. His 2008 meta-analysis was listed by the British Psychological Society as one of the “10 most controversial psychology studies ever published.” His book, The Emperor’s New Drugs: Exploding the Antidepressant Myth, has been published in English, French, Italian, Japanese, Turkish, and Polish, and was shortlisted for the prestigious Mind Book of the Year award. It was the topic of a 60 Minutes segment on CBS and a 5-page cover story in Newsweek. In 2015, the University of Basel (Switzerland) awarded Irving Kirsch an Honorary Doctorate in Psychology.

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April 8, 2022

Process-Oriented Hypnosis

Michael D. Yapko, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, educator and author, Southern California

Just as there are many different models of psychotherapy, each with different foundational philosophies and methods, there are many different models of hypnosis, each with a different theoretical emphasis and therefore utilizing widely diverse methods. The highly innovative work of Milton Erickson in particular is widely acknowledged by therapists who may or may not use hypnosis but are definitely influenced by his strategic methods. 

Milton Erickson was often credited with being a “mind-reader,” but he simply said he was more observant than most. Realistically, there are many common denominators of human experience that can make one seem a mind reader to a client when touching on them in the course of therapy. Hypnosis can be especially well used to address generalities that have very specific effects. In this short webinar presentation, we’ll explore this gentle style of process-oriented hypnotic intervention. 

About the Presenter: Michael D. Yapko, PhD, is a clinical psychologist residing in Southern California. He is internationally recognized for his work in advancing clinical hypnosis and outcome-focused psychotherapy, routinely teaching to professional audiences all over the world. To date, he has been invited to present his ideas and methods to colleagues in more than 30 countries across six continents, and all over the United States.

Dr. Yapko has had a special interest for more than four decades in the intricacies of brief therapy, and the clinical applications of hypnosis and directive methods, especially in the treatment of depression. He is the author of 16 books and editor of three others, as well as numerous book chapters and articles on the subjects of hypnosis and the use of strategic psychotherapies. These include his most recent book, Process-Oriented Hypnosis: Focusing on the Forest, Not the Trees (W.W. Norton; 2021), and the widely used hypnosis text, Trancework: An Introduction to the Practice of Clinical Hypnosis (5th edition, Routledge; 2019). He is a four-time recipient from SCEH of “The Arthur Shapiro Award for the Best Book on Hypnosis,” and his works have been translated into ten languages. More information about Dr. Yapko’s teaching schedule and publications can be found on his website: www.yapko.com.

He is the recipient of numerous major awards for his innovative contributions in advancing the fields of hypnosis and brief therapy, including lifetime achievement awards from The American Psychological Association’s Division 30 (Society of Psychological Hypnosis), the International Society of Hypnosis (the Pierre Janet Award), and The Milton H. Erickson Foundation.

How to Register for Live Webinars

Click on the link for each webinar to be directed to details and registration information.

• SCEH Members $55
• Non-members $65
• Students $15

• [email protected]
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Questions about Webinar CE or Your Event Registration?

Contact our webinar partner, the TCSPP Institute for Professional & Continuing Studies:

• by email - [email protected]
• by phone - 312.467.2364
  
  

 What Attendees Are Saying About Our Webinars

Cultural Sensitivity, Personal Boundaries, and Changing Interpersonal Expectations in Professional Conference Settings (July 2019)

This was very well organized. I enjoyed it immensely.
 

Integrating Hypnosis and Mindfulness-Based Strategies into a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program for Smoking Cessation (September 2019 )

An excellent presentation, as well as a splendid format. Many thanks.

Added to and refined my knowledge of hypnosis for smoking cessation and the elements of an effective program.

I appreciate the resources shared.  Great research!·The slides, graphics, videos and audio were all very helpful and strengthened the presentation.

Mindful Hypnotherapy: Integrating Mindfulness into Hypnotherapy Practice (November 2019)

Nicely presented. Video of interview was great

Video demos added a lot of value, as does the handout. Thank you.

Great program! I loved the seminar and I look forward to more seminars and workshops in the future! Thank you.

Get Notified About Future Webinars

SCEH members will be notified about webinar details as they are confirmed. Not a member? Join our mailing list to get the latest Society announcements delivered to your mail box.

Free Special Public Service  Webinar - now available on demand

Supporting Optimal Coping with the Anxiety and Stress of the Covid-19 Pandemic

This webinar was presented live on April 1 and April 8 as a public service -- there is no cost to attend.  Thank you to our fantastic Presenters and all who participated.  SCEH is offering this webinar, in cooperation with the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, as a public service for our members and students, faculty, staff and instructors at TCSPP, Saybrook University, University of Washington, and Baylor University.  This program offers 1.5 APA CE for Psychologists and 1.5 BBS CEU for Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Social Workers. 

Missed the live event?  Register here to view the webinar recording.

Target Audience

Continuing Education

This program offers 1.5 APA CE for Psychologists and 1.5 BBS CEU for Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Social Workers.  See webinar recording registration link above for full details.

Back to Upcoming Webinars

Past Webinars

Visit SCEH Homestudy Courses to sign up for one of our Past Webinars.  Some courses are already available, and others are being added. Note that for Homestudy Courses, the CE process if different from that of our live webinars. Dates shown below are the when the live webinar took place.

January 14, 2022

A Personally and Scientifically Informed Approach to Clinical Hypnosis

Rapid Hypnosis for Medical and Dental Encounters

Presenter:  Elvira V. Lang, MD, FSIR, FSCEH, Founder & President, Comfort Talk®

Based on extensive clinical trials and clinic practice, this presentation builds on 25 years of experience with nonpharmacologic means of managing patient anxiety and pain in busy healthcare environments. It documents the effects of unaddressed anxiety on pain, the interconnected experience of the patient and dental practitioner’s stress, and the economic ramifications. It addresses how the natural upward trend of pain and anxiety during these encounters can be avoided, and the patient experience improved by slight, but reflective, changes in provider behavior and use of language. The audience will learn how to build rapport with their patients instantly, elicit positive behaviors and cooperation from them and, if needed, from accompanying individuals.

Attendees will be introduced to the powers of word choice, how they can avoid the adverse effects of negative suggestions, reframe distressing thoughts, fears, and worries, and moderate the effect of painful stimuli. Rapid hypnotic techniques will be described and demonstrated with a sample script. The specifics of language providing anxiety release and relaxation in the office, as well as those needed for additional pain relief, will be discussed and supplemented with findings from a recent clinical trial at Tufts Dental School.

About the Presenter: Elvira Lang, MD, PhD, is an award-winning interventional radiologist known for researching the effectiveness and cost savings of rapid hypnotic techniques in medicine and dentistry. She held faculty positions at the University of Heidelberg, Stanford University, the University of Iowa, and Harvard Medical School. In her prospective randomized studies with over 700 patients, guidance in self-hypnotic relaxation on the procedure table reduced pain, anxiety, drug use, and complications. She crystallized these techniques and founded Comfort Talk®. In further NIH-supported multicenter trials with >125,000 patient visits, training of MRI teams in Comfort Talk® significantly improved patients’ satisfaction and ability to complete examinations. Dr. Lang co-authored “Patient Sedation Without Medication,” “Managing Your Medical Experience” and >150 research papers. She received the Erika Fromm Award by the SCEH and Ernest R. Hilgard Award for Scientific Excellence for a Lifetime of Published Experimental Work. She has been featured extensively in the press and on television. 

 
September 24, 2021

Inductions, Deepening Techniques and Teaching Stories

Presenter:  Eleanor D. Laser, PhD

Overview: To successfully induce the hypnotic state/deliver suggestions, it's key to understand belief, imagination, concentration, expectation and desire. This knowledge helps you craft the induction necessary for hypnosis to reach the optimal desired state. There are hundreds of inductions therapists can apply including direct/indirect suggestions. The key is finding the right induction for the client.

This webinar will help you identify/craft such an induction and understand how the client's unconscious mind provides clues as to what is most effective.  We'll also explore repetition; speaking to the client's exhalation, pace, lead; and how inductions maximize hypnosis for health.

About the Presenter:  Dr. Eleanor Laser is an internationally recognized, Adlerian trained clinical psychotherapist with extensive expertise in medical hypnosis/hypnoanesthesia/non-pharmacological analgesia. She is a sought-after international speaker/author/consultant. Active in numerous professional associations and former president of the Chicago Society of Clinical Hypnosis, she is the recipient of two major SCEH awards, the 2021 Erika Fromm Award for Excellence in Teaching and the 2010 Arthur Shapiro Award for Best Book on Hypnosis for Patient Sedation Without Medication, co-authored with Dr. Elvira Lang.

Certified as an Approved Consultant by ASCH, Dr. Laser is an in-demand consultant/educator/researcher for leading medical facilities/universities including Harvard Medical School and the University of Michigan. Her work has received media coverage from CBS, the Discovery Channel, and more. In her private practice she treats a range of mind/body conditions including childbirth, eating disorders, insomnia, PTSD issues, ideopathic multiple chemical sensitivity and sugar/smoking addictions.

August 6, 2021

Autoimmune Disorders, Psychoneuroimmunology and Hypnosis

Presenter: Moshe S. Torem, MD, Professor of Psychiatry, at Northeast Ohio Medical University

For many years western medicine has considered the immune system to be separate and independent from the central nervous system.  However, significant scientific research discoveries during the past 50 years have presented new data leading to the evolution of psychoneuroimmunology as a new field showing that the immune system does interact with the central nervous system in a bidirectional way.  This webinar provides a review of the research literature establishing data on the connection between the brain and the immune system with relevance to our understanding and treatment of autoimmune disorders. In addition, this webinar will provide a foundation and structure for using hypnosis in the treatment of patients with autoimmune disorders. Clinical case examples will provide practical relevant illustration on effective utilization of hypnosis in treating patients with autoimmune disorders.

About the Presenter: Moshe S. Torem MD is a psychiatrist certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN). He is a distinguished life fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, Life Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis and Life Fellow of the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis. Dr. Torem served as president of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISST&D), and the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH). Currently, Dr. Torem serves as Professor of Psychiatry at Northeast Ohio Medical University. In addition, Dr. Torem has published numerous articles and book chapters in the field of psychiatry, hypnosis and integrative mind-body medicine and health. He has provided lectures and workshops to professionals in the U.S. and other countries. Dr. Torem has also been in clinical practice providing guidance and treatment for people with a variety of conditions such as; anxiety, depression, eating disorders, insomnia, habit disorders, smoking control, weight control, autoimmune disorders, & preparing people for medical procedures and surgery. Moreover, Dr. Torem has also provided guidance and help to students & workers in passing examinations, tests and preparing for important interviews. Dr. Torem is known for his practical approaches utilizing age progression procedures with and without formal hypnosis as an important and unique contribution to the field of hypnosis and therapeutic imagery.  

July 9, 2021

Gut Feelings:  Clinical Hypnosis for Disorders in Brain-Gut Interaction

Presenter: Louis F. Damis, PhD, ABPP

Overview: Clinical hypnosis has reliably been found to produce both short- and long-term treatment benefits for functional gastrointestinal disorders (i.e., functional dyspepsia, functional abdominal pain, and irritable bowel syndrome).  Moreover, as various physiological and autonomic nervous system variables have been found to contribute to these functional gastrointestinal disorders, they have more appropriately been relabeled Disorders Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI).  However, the exact mechanisms of action that result in such hypnotic intervention benefits have remained elusive.

This webinar will review the empirical evidence supporting the effectiveness of various gut-directed clinical hypnosis strategies, address possible mechanisms of action, and outline these techniques for participant use.  Moreover, recent research will be reviewed on a polyvagal-based hypnotic intervention effective with gut-brain interaction disorders. Furthermore, the polyvagal model's relevance and this technique will be reviewed concerning the treatment of fibromyalgia, other pain disorders, and trauma.

About the Presenter:  Louis F. Damis, Ph.D., ABPP, is a diplomate with the American Board of Professional Psychology, a Fellow of the Academy of Clinical Health Psychology, an ASCH Consultant in Clinical Hypnosis, and a Senior Fellow of the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance.  He is a past president of the Florida and Washington, DC Societies of Clinical Hypnosis and is a Prime Reviewer and Executive Board Member of the ASCH.  In addition to being a recent Guest Editor for a special issue on Trauma and Hypnosis for the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, he contributed several articles, including one on DGBI.  Dr. Damis has over twenty-five years of experience teaching hypnosis for the ASCH and FSCH.  Dr. Damis founded Integrative Health Psychology, PA and maintains a consulting, teaching, and therapy practice in Oviedo, Florida.

Updated Date!  June 11, 2021

From Principle to Practice: Deconstructing Problem Patterns toward Strategically Guided Solutions

Presenter:  David S. Alter, PhD, LP, ABPP, ABPH, FACHP

The program/presentation approaches clinical conditions presented by clients from an evolutionary, neurobiological framework. Rather than focusing on the content of presenting concerns (e.g., migraine, digestive distress, depression, or panic), the program participant is invited to explore clinical phenomena as manifestations of evolutionarily based patterns of adjusting and adapting to ever-changing physical and social landscapes. Presenting problem patterns are framed as attempts at solution seeking, goal-oriented (though not necessarily consciously mediated) adaptiveness.

Dr. Alter has identified 13-core principles that aid in cultivation of this adaptive view of clinical concerns. The principles are rooted in what we have learned about the physiological, neurological, psychological, and social legacies we have inherited from our evolutionary ancestors. Applying these principles to clinical phenomena supports the clinician in escaping the diagnostic and formulaic treatment reductionism that too often constrains our ability to interact with clients in ways that are tailored to their unique presenting problem patterns, while simultaneously cultivating an approach that imbues clients’ efforts with meaning, mission, and purpose.

About the Presenter: David S. Alter, PhD, is the Founder and Clinical Director of Partners in Healing of Minneapolis, a private, integrative health center. Trained in clinical neuropsychology, clinical health psychology, and psychological hypnosis, Dr. Alter brings a cross-disciplinary and integrative perspective to his clinical, teaching, and writing activities. He is the past-president of the Minnesota Society of Clinical Hypnosis (MSCH). He has held numerous roles with the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH), including currently serving as the Chair of the Ethics Committee and as a member of ASCH’s Executive Committee. He is a much sought-after speaker and presenter, having offered more than 100 national and international workshops for health professionals and presentations to the public. Dr. Alter is the author of multiple articles in peer-reviewed journals and the author of Staying Sharp: 9 Keys to a Youthful Brain through Modern Science and Ageless Wisdom, published by Simon & Schuster in 2015. The winner for multiple awards for teaching and writing excellence, Dr. Alter is an engaging and dynamic presenter committed to providing participants with practical, innovative, and scientifically sound methods and strategies for enriching their professional and personal lives.

May 14, 2021

Applying the Science of Positive Psychology to Ignite Hypnotic Relaxation Therapy for Well-Being

 Presenter:  Elizabeth Slonena, PsyD

This  experiential  webinar  will  invite  clinicians to  approach  hypnotic  interventions  from  a  positive  psychology  perspective.  Unlike  other psychological approaches which focus on reducing problems and weaknesses, positive psychology strives to identify character strengths and behaviors that encourage individuals to enhance their life with meaning and purpose. This approach is especially relevant during the ongoing pandemic. This training welcomes beginner, intermediate, and even advanced level clinicians that wish to deepen theirrepertoire of hypnotic suggestions for strengthening well-being.

Attendees  will  learn  to  approach  the  10  principles  of  Hypnotic  Relaxation  Therapy  from  a  positive  psychology  perspective.  Thefundamental theory, research, and applications of positive psychology interventions and Hypnotic Relaxation Therapy for Well-Being will be presented. Brief clinical vignettes and clinical anecdotes will be incorporated to ignite imagination and discussion. Mostimportantly, the 10 simple steps for self-hypnosis for well-being will be demonstrated to enrich experiential learning.

About the Presenter:  Elizabeth Slonena, PsyD recently earned her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Baylor University under the mentorship of Dr. Gary Elkins. She also completed a research fellowship at the National Institute of Health (NIH) investigating novel treatments including ketamine for treatment-resistant depression. She is a co-author of 13 peer-review articles and is the co-creator of Brief Mindful Hypnosis, a  novel  treatment  for  stress  reduction  and  inner  resilience.  Dr.  Liz  strives  to  cultivate  community  and  celebrate  diversity  in  the  next generation  of  clinical  hypnotherapists  and  holds  leadership  roles  in  the  Society  for  Clinical  and  Experimental  Hypnosis  Marketing Committee and Mentorship Program. She is also a Content Advisor for Thrive360, a virtual reality wellness app and maintains athriving therapy practice in Asheville, North Carolina.

Friday, April 2, 2021

Adjunctive Therapies for Use with Clinical Hypnosis and Psychotherapy

Presenter: Donald Moss, PhD, Dean, College of Integrative Medicine and Health Sciences, at Saybrook University, Oakland, CA

Adjunctive therapies are interventions that combine well with clinical hypnosis and psychotherapy. These adjunctive techniques augment the therapeutic effect of the hypnosis and psychotherapy. The combined therapeutic effect of hypnosis and adjunctive skills together is often greater than the effect of either intervention alone. Regular home practice of adjunctive relaxation skills improves basal autonomic nervous system regulation and reduces the onset of problematic symptoms.

This Webinar introduces seven adjunctive therapies, including progressive muscle relaxation, autogenic training, paced diaphragmatic breathing, guided imagery, meditation, mindfulness, and expressive writing. Three to four of them will be demonstrated, as time allows, and brief clinical vignettes will illustrate the use of the adjunctive techniques with clients. Each of these skill sets can be administered on its own, with therapeutic effect, or provided in combination with clinical hypnosis as a treatment package. Clinical anecdotes will be utilized to illustrate the use of adjunctive therapies.

About the Presenter: Donald Moss, PhD, is Dean, College of Integrative Medicine and Health Sciences, at Saybrook University, Oakland, CA.  Dr. Moss is the Education Chair of the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis (SCEH) and a board member of Division 30 (hypnosis) of the American Psychological Association. He is also the ethics chair and international certification chair for the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance.  He has served as president of Division 30, SCEH, and the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB).  Moss’ most recent books are a co-authored book on chronic illness, Integrative Pathways (Springer, 2019), and three co-edited books, Mindfulness, Acceptance, and Compassion in Biofeedback Practice (AAPB, 2020), Physiological Technology and Applicants in Biofeedback and Neurofeedback (AAPB, 2019), and Foundations of Heart Rate Variability (AAPB, 2016).

Friday, March 12, 2021

Presenter: David R. Patterson PhD, ABPP

This webinar will focus on training clinicians in advanced concepts of hypnosis. Although the training will be advanced, the content level will be appropriate for intermediate, or even beginning levels, based on the manner in which the material is taught. A major premise of this workshop is that hypnosis is most effective when presented in a non-linear rather than a cognitively based logical intervention.

The webinar will present scientifically based principles to distill complex hypnosis into clinician friendly-heuristics for clinicians. The science is based on what is known about the neurophysiology of brain functioning during hypnosis, social psychology (including Milton Erickson’s work), and dissociation (particularly dissociated control theories). Guided by science, this workshop will present simple, understandable steps to present hypnosis in a non-linear fashion.

About the Presenter: David R. Patterson is a Professor of Psychology in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine. He holds diplomates in Psychological Hypnosis and Rehabilitation Psychology. He has published over 170 peer reviewed articles and book chapters on pain control, adjustment to trauma and hypnosis. He has given workshops in over a dozen countries on the topic of hypnosis and pain control. He was funded for his work by the National Institutes of Health for over 30 years and was the director of both the psychology internship and postdoctoral fellowship programs in his department. He published Clinical Hypnosis for Pain Control in 2010 with American Psychological Association.

Friday, February 12, 2021

Hypnosis, Anxiety, and Children: Opportunities Beyond Relaxation

Presenter:  Lynn Lyons, LICSW

Using hypnosis with children teaches skills and helps children experientially discover their own resources and “super-powers.” With anxious children, hypnotic interventions can immediately demonstrate the mind-body connection, help with somatic regulation, and offer relief. But many clinicians focus on relaxation and calmness as the primary (and only) goal with anxious children and teens. Paradoxically, an overemphasis on the goal of relaxation often impede progress. This webinar will focus on additional therapeutic targets that move away from an “elimination” approach and provide skills needed to step into uncertainty, recognize the patterns of anxiety, and interrupt the family cycles that help worry thrive. The goal of this program is to answer: How do we incorporate hypnosis into our treatment of anxious kids and parents without inadvertently supporting anxiety’s demands? There will be a Q&A session at the end of the webinar where attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions. A PowerPoint document will be shared. A facilitator will moderate specific questions to reach outcome goals.

About the Presenter:  Lynn Lyons, LICSW, is an internationally recognized psychotherapist, author, and speaker with a special interest in interrupting the generational patterns of anxiety in families. Her skill-based approach to anxiety focuses on the need to teach families about HOW anxiety works and what families can do to pull members out of the powerful “anxiety cult” that demands obedience to its need for certainty and comfort. Lynn’s approach uses humor, hypnosis, and a constant focus on DOING, an umbrella strategy she has taught to thousands of professionals and families.Lynn is the author of Using Hypnosis with Children: Creating and Delivering Effective Interventions and the co-author with Reid Wilson of Anxious Kids, Anxious Parents and the companion book for kids, Playing with Anxiety: Casey’s Guide for Teens and Kids. She and has several webinar programs for parents and children.

January 22, 2021

How to Create Reliably Effective Hypnosis Interventions for Chronic Physical Symptoms

Presenter:  Olafur S. Palsson, PsyD, Professor of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chronic physical symptoms that have already proven unresponsive to the usual medical treatment methods can present formidablechallenges in healthcare. Clinical hypnosis offers unique techniques for addressing medically unresponsive symptoms, but for the best effects the clinician often has to apply treatment differently for those problems than in other therapeutic applications of hypnosis.

In this webinar, Dr. Palsson will provide participants with a detailed overview of a specific structureand set of essential elements in hypnosis treatment that together produce high probability of improvement in chronic and stubborn physical symptoms.The success of this approach has been empirically demonstrated in published research on GI disorders, including IBS, functional abdominal pain, inflammatory bowel disease, and esophageal disorders, but the same framework is equally useful for creating successful hypnosis treatment for other chronic health problems, such as migraine and fibromyalgia. This includes the approach to the chronic medical patient, formulating the hypnosis sessions to contain key principles that maximize therapeutic impact, and crafting suggestions and metaphors that effectively target psychological and physiological processes that influence body symptoms.

About the Presenter: Dr. Olafur S. Palsson is a clinical psychologist and  Professor of Medicine  at the  University of North Carolina at Chapel  Hill.  He  was previously Director of Behavioral Medicine and Assistant professor of Psychiatry and Family Medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk,Virginia. Much of Dr. Palsson's work has focused on biopsychosocial and epidemiological aspects of functional gastrointestinal disorders, psychological factors that modulate physical symptoms, and treatment of chronic GI problems with hypnosis. He developed the fully scripted North Carolina hypnosis protocol for IBS, which has been tested and found efficacious in seven published studies. It is used in clinical practice by hundreds of hypnosis-trained health professional in the U.S. and world-wide, and has served as a model for the development of standardized hypnosis treatment approaches for several other health problems. Dr. Palsson has authored more than 130 published papers in psychology and medicine, as well as numerous book chapters in edited books.

December 11, 2020       (Rescheduled from original date: October 30, 2020)

A GPS Guide for Clinical Hypnosis Treatment Planning

Presenter: David Reid, PsyD, Augusta Psychological Associates, Virginia and Saybrook University

What does your hypnosis treatment plan look like? Do you have one? Some clinicians tend to “wing it” or rely on scripts from clinical hypnosis textbooks for treating specific medical and psychological conditions. If you struggle with generating an individualized treatment plan that addresses clients’ concerns, this webinar may offer you the guidance and information you seek through case examples as well as practice opportunities for generating a treatment plan using hypnosis.

This webinar will provide pragmatic guidance for generating and implementing a therapeutic treatment plan using hypnosis. Suggestions for addressing unwanted and unexpected challenges during hypnosis sessions will also be reviewed. Based on his GPS model (Reid, 2012) for minimizing unwanted challenges during hypnosis sessions, Dr. Reid will review a number of strategic interventions through case presentations. Prior experience using hypnosis and completion of at least a Basic Hypnosis workshop is expected as this webinar will focus on generating treatment plans from case scenarios.

About the Presenter: David B. Reid, PsyD, is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Fellow and Approved Consultant of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH) and President Elect of APA Division 30 (Society of Psychological Hypnosis). Dr. Reid is an award-winning author of Hypnosis for Behavioral Health: Professional’s Guide to Expanding Your Practice (Springer Publishing Company), and co-author of Permanent Habit Control: Practitioners’ Guide to Using Hypnosis and Other Alternative Health Strategies (Springer Publishing Company). Dr. Reid also serves as a Science Editor for the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, and Chair of the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis (SCEH) Certification Committee. Dr. Reid has received numerous awards from ASCH and SCEH for his contributions to both societies, as well as his peer-reviewed published papers on clinical hypnosis. He maintains a private practice at Augusta Psychological Associates in Virginia and is an Adjunct Instructor in the College of Integrative Medicine and Health Sciences at Saybrook University.

November 13, 2020

Use of Hypnosis for Complex Health Conditions and in Integrative Medicine Settings

Presenter: Lindsey C. McKernan, PhD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN

This presentation will discuss the applications of clinical hypnosis in integrative medicine settings, which serve individuals experiencing chronic, and often overlapping complex health conditions. Examples include migraine, irritable bowel syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome, and fibromyalgia. We will review integrative care models and the use of hypnosis with this population by applying individual and group approaches guided by the biopsychosocial model of care. Specific strategies to use hypnosis in integrative care settings will be discussed, including hypnosis for relaxation, to gain mastery over feared material with imaginal exposure, and self-hypnosis training for chronic conditions. Lastly, we will discuss methods of integrating inductions into specific care pathways to facilitate treatment, such as in physical therapy or for acupuncture treatments.

Empirical data on group and individual case studies will be shared when possible. We will also reserve time for a Q & A to discuss specific induction and suggestion techniques.

About the Presenter:  Lindsey C. McKernan, PhD MPH is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) and Director of Psychotherapy Training at the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at Vanderbilt. Dr. McKernan is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in treating and researching the intersection of co-occurring chronic health conditions and mental health. She established a hypnosis service line at VUMC and an associated multidisciplinary hypnosis training program, which currently supports providers at the medical center and in the community in the transition from learning to sustained clinical practice over time. She has a highly collaborative and active research lab funded by the National Institute of Health, with regular updates available at https://mckernanlab.com/ or on twitter through @LCMPhD.

September 11, 2020

Creativity and Hypnosis: Evoking Generative States for Positive Growth & Change

Presenter:  Scott Hoye, PsyD, Chicago Psychology Services, LLC, Chicago, IL

Most clinical work involves working with clients on remedial, clinical issues.  How can we use hypnosis to provide more positive states with clinical populations, or to help individuals tap into more generative mental capacities to perform more efficiently, and have more fun in life?  This online presentation will answer these questions, and provide hypnotic tools for creativity, and give an overview of the scientific literature of hypnosis and creativity.

This 90-minute presentation provides an overview of the history and theory of hypnosis and creativity research, as well as clinical aspects discussed in the scientific literature of creativity.  It will also give suggestions for techniques and an overview of treatment planning with case studies from the presenter’s practice, as well as ideas for integration creativity work into therapy and hypnotic settings will also be discussed.  

About the Presenter: Scott Hoye, PsyD, Chicago Psychology Services, LLC, is a licensed clinical psychologist working in private practice in Chicago Illinois.  He has given workshops and presentations with the Society of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, APA’s Division 30, the Oregon Society of Clincial Hypnosis, and the Chicago Society of Clinical Hypnosis.  He serves as Vice President of the Chicago Society of Clinical Hypnosis and has held the position of Member-at-Large of Division 30’s Executive Committee. 

 August 14, 2020

Why Study Hypnosis:  Enhancing your Clinical Practice

Presenter:  Eric Willmarth, PhD, Saybrook University

Hypnosis and hypnotic-like procedures have now been used for hundreds of years and yet myths and misunderstandings still seem to make therapists hesitate to add this useful modality to their skill set.

This presentation will briefly review the history and myths of hypnosis and then focus on the many practical reasons to add hypnosis as an adjunctive technique in clinical practice. The data in the presentation is drawn from years of interviews with the leading figures in hypnosis who were all asked “Why study hypnosis?”  There will be a Q&A session at the end of the webinar where attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions. A PowerPoint document will be shared. A facilitator will moderate specific questions to reach outcome goals.

About the Presenter: Eric Willmarth, PhD, is the Co-Chair of the Department of Applied Psychophysiology and the Coordinator for the Integrative Mental Health Specialization in the College of Integrative Medicine and Health, Saybrook University, in Pasadena. He is a licensed clinical psychologist and has worked for over three decades in the area of chronic pain management. He is certified in biofeedback, clinical hypnosis, and pain management. He is currently the President-Elect of the Society for Psychological Hypnosis (APA Div. 30) and President of the Michigan Society for Clinical Hypnosis. He has served in the past as the President of the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, The American Society for Clinical Hypnosis, and the Michigan Society for Behavioral Medicine and Biofeedback. Beginning college as a music major, he played bassoon in the orchestra, trombone in the jazz band, and guitar in a rock band. He continues to be interested in the psychology and health benefits of music and continues to sing in his church choir. He has been married to his high school sweetheart for over 40 years and has two sons and three grandsons.

July 15, 2020 -- Note different day of the week for this webinar only -- Wednesday.

Managing Anxiety: Cognitive, Mindfulness and Hypnotherapeutic Approaches

Presenter:  Carolyn Daitch, PhD, Center for Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety destroys the normal enjoyment of life through the fear, worry, obsessive thinking and avoidant behavior that anxious people experience.Simple activities like going to the grocery store, taking a child to her first day of school, or meeting a friend for lunch trigger a barrage of frantic “what ifs”.  This workshop will explore the subtleties of working with this pervasive category of disorders that affects an estimated 20% of the population. The workshop will also focus on the effect that uncontrolled anxiety has on intimate relationships.The presenter will introduce a powerful, integrative therapy model that combines CBT, Hypnosis and Mindfulness.

Using this integrative therapy model, workshop participants will learn practical interventions that are applicable to the treatment of panic, generalized anxiety disorder, phobias, social anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. A unique feature of this presentation is the four-part intervention developed by Dr. Daitch that integrates mindfulness, cognitive and hypnotic approaches. These tools work together to help clients feel more empowered when flooded with anxiety.

About the Presenter: Carolyn Daitch, an internationally renowned psychologist, trainer, author and presenter, teaches individuals and groups to recognize and manage stress and anxiety. Dr. Daitch, who has 35 years of thriving experience, is the director of the Center for the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Her proven approach has helped countless clients learn how to successfully navigate the inevitable challenges of their lives. She is frequently invited to speak about anxiety and affect regulation at international conferences and as a keynote speaker at these conferences. Dr. Daitch is a certified and approved consultant and an elected fellow with the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis as well as the Michigan Psychological Association. Carolyn is president of the Michigan Society of Clinical Hypnosis, and vice-president of the Executive Council of ASCH.

She is the author of four books, including the award-winning Affect Regulation Toolbox, Anxiety Disorders: The Go-To Guide, and co-author with Lissah Lorberbaum of Anxious in Love: How to Manage Your Anxiety, Reduce Conflict and Reconnect with Your Partner. Her newest publication is The Road to Calm Workbook. Dr. Daitch is also frequently invited by her colleagues to be a contributing author to a variety of books and journals.

June 12, 2020

Chronic Pain and the Opioid Crisis: Mind-Body Innovations in Clinical Hypnosis

Presenter: Mark Weisberg, PhD, ABPP

The 2011 Institute of Medicine report Relieving Pain in America: A Blueprint for Transforming Prevention, Care, Education, and Research estimated that 100 million Americans have chronic pain. Over the last 15 years, the primary reliance on and excessive use of opiate medications has created a serious medical crisis. The United States, which makes up less than 5% of the world population, uses 80% of the world’s opiates. Numerous studies demonstrate that dependence on opiate medications leads to overwhelming suffering and disability.

Treatment of these conditions should engage patients in daily self-care, gradual conditioning, reducing the guarding reflex around painful areas, and activating self-healing resources. Opiates—especially at high doses— disconnect the brain from the body in a dissociative process, making self-care and activating self-healing resources more challenging. In this webinar, you will learn the role that hypnosis can play in facilitating an ideal healing state to assist in healing two common types of chronic pain: low back pain and headache.

About the Presenter: Dr. Weisberg is a Board-Certified Clinical Health Psychologist in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is Adjunct Community Faculty, Academic Health Center, University of Minnesota. Dr. Weisberg is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and the American Academy of Clinical Health Psychology. He has been involved in clinical practice, writing, and consultation in integrative mind-body medicine for over 25 years, and teaches on related topics nationally and internationally.

He has been a consultant at the Minnesota Head and Neck Pain Clinic for over 30 years, involved in the treatment of a wide variety of adults and adolescents with back pain, headache, temporomandibular disorders, autoimmune syndromes, and other widespread pain conditions. Dr. Weisberg is a Fellow and Approved Consultant of ASCH, and has served on the Executive Committee as Secretary, Member at Large, and Vice President. He is Past President of the Minnesota Society of Clinical Hypnosis. Dr. Weisberg is the co-author of Trust Your Gut: Get Lasting Healing from IBS and Other Chronic Digestive Problems Without Drugs (Conari Press), a consumer book on integrative treatment of digestive disorders.

May 8, 2020

Pediatric Hypnosis

Presenter: Linda Thomson, PhD, APRN, ABMH, ABHN, Nurse Practitioner

This webinar will introduce hypnotic approaches for many common physical, emotional and behavioral problems of childhood. Hypnosis not only gives the child a tool to better cope with or solve the problem himself, but also increases self-esteem, bolsters a sense of accomplishment and gives the child a valuable skill that he can adapt to many new situations throughout life.

This webinar will also review the developmental characteristics that make children particularly hypnotizable. Dr. Thomson will define developmental tasks unique to each stage of development. When people experience adverse childhood events, developmental tasks may not be fully mastered. This can have a detrimental impact not only in childhood but in adulthood as well. The presenter will introduce hypnotic skills and techniques useful in developing effective treatment plans for engaging children to be part of the solution for medical or psychological challenges.

About the Presenter:  Linda Thomson has been a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner for 45 years incorporating hypnosis into her clinical work with children. She is the author of two widely acclaimed books for children and clinicians: Harry the Hypnopotamus: Metaphorical Tales for Children, Volumes 1 & 2 and the creator of Harry Hypnopotamus Imagination Cards. Dr. Thomson has presented workshops across the country and around the world. She is a past president of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis and is the current Moderator of the ASCH Board of Governors.

March 6, 2020

Hypnosis for Chronic Pain: Maximizing Comfort

Presenter: Mark P. Jensen, PhD, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Overview:  This 1.5-hour webinar will provide an overview of hypnotic strategies and suggestions for helping individuals better self-manage chronic pain conditions. It will begin with a discussion of the neurophysiology of nociception and pain, focusing on nine specific processes and physiological structures involved in pain perception, that can be influenced by hypnotic suggestions. Evidence regarding pain’s impact on other functioning domains (e.g., activity level, sleep, mood) will be discussed, and ideas for hypnotic suggestions and approaches for addressing all of these domains and processes will be generated.

Next, the facilitator will describe what is currently known about the etiology and factors that contribute to pain associated with a number of common chronic pain conditions (specifically, headache, chronic widespread pain, low back pain, neuropathic pain, and complex regional pain syndrome), and how hypnosis can be tailored to treat each one. The webinar will end with a demonstration showing how clinicians can target hypnotic suggestions tailored to the needs of a specific patient.

About the Presenter:  Mark P. Jensen, PhD, is a Professor and Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine who has been studying chronic pain and helping individuals better manage chronic pain for 40 years. He has been funded by the National Institutes of Health and other funding agencies to study the efficacy and mechanisms of various treatments for chronic pain, including hypnotic analgesia. He has published extensively (over 500 articles and book chapters) on the topics of pain assessment and treatment. His guidebook on the use of hypnosis for chronic pain management and an accompanying patient manual in the Oxford University Press “Treatments that Work” series (Hypnosis for Chronic Pain Management: Therapist Guide) co-won (along with David Patterson’s book, Clinical Hypnosis for Pain Control) the 2011 Society of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis Arthur Shapiro Award for Best Book on Hypnosis.

February Two Part Ethics Webinar

In February, SCEH will present a two part webinar on Ethical Principles and Practice Standards, scheduled for February 7 and 14, 2020.   Part I will focus on the theoretical foundations of ethics, and Part 2 will emphasize models for decision making for ethical practice.  Attendees may attend one or both dates.  A separate registration must be completed for each session.  Attending both February 7 and 14 sessions will provide the 3 hours of APA CE credit required for many professional licensure renewals.   

About the Presenter: Dr. Joel Marcus is a Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. He has served as Chairperson for ASCH’s Standards of Training for over a decade. He has taught Ethics Workshops at the ASCH Annual Meeting regularly for multiple years. He has presented hypnosis workshops at all levels at national and international venues. Dr Marcus is a Fellow of the American Psycho Oncology Society (APOS) where he regularly encounters ethical issues surrounding truth telling, clinical trials, end-of-life issues and provision of services to specialized populations. He has presented papers, workshops and posters on a multitude of issues unique to this health challenged population. He has presented on the overlap of the use of hypnosis in the treatment of cancer and its treatment sequalae.   He is the primary author of APOS’s Ethical Standards.


Friday, February 7, 2020

Ethical Principles and Practice Standards in Hypnosis, Part I. Theoretical Underpinnings

Presenter:  Joel D. Marcus, PsyD, FAPOS, FASCH, Banner Health M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Phoenix, AZ

Overview:  This webinar will present to the learner an overview of ethical principles and practices for the use of clinical hypnosis. Multiple theoretical and historical underpinnings of the applications of ethics will be described. A review of ethical dilemmas that a clinician may encounter will be presented.  The ethical use of hypnosis with specific populations and clinical entities will be offered.

A review of the ethical standards of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, the American Psychological Association and other providers will occur. The similarities and differences of the different disciplines will be highlighted. There will be a Q&A session at the end of the webinar where attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions.  A PowerPoint document will be shared.  A facilitator will moderate specific questions to reach outcome goals.


Friday, February 14, 2020

Ethical Principles and Practice Standards in Hypnosis, Part II. Models for Decision Making

Presenter:  Joel D. Marcus, PsyD, FAPOS, FASCH, Banner Health M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Phoenix, AZ

Overview:  This webinar will present to the learner an overview of ethical principles and practices for the use of clinical hypnosis. Multiple theoretical and historical underpinnings of the applications of ethics will be described. A review of ethical dilemmas that a clinician may encounter will be presented.  The ethical use of hypnosis with specific populations and clinical entities will be offered. A review of the ethical standards of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, the American Psychological Association and other providers will occur. The similarities and differences of the different disciplines will be highlighted.

There will be a Q&A session at the end of the webinar where attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions.  A PowerPoint document will be shared.  A facilitator will moderate specific questions to reach outcome goals.

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Time Note: All webinars occur from 12:00-1:30 ET, or Eastern Time.
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