The Principles of Hypnotherapy

Jan 26, 04:13 AM

Morgan D. (1996). The principles of hypnotherapy. Bradford UK: Eilidon Press. This 245-page book is a systems theory approach to hypnotherapy. Dylan Morgan received an M.A. degree in mathematics at Oxford followed by a Ph.D. in mathematics at Oxford with his doctorate in elementary particle theory. While doing applied mathematics research at Dundee University on noise generated by high speed jet engines and helicopter motors, he wrote that he had a career transition following his father-in-law's footsteps into hypnotherapy to help people resolve their problems. As a mathematician and scientist, he applied systems theory to help him understand hypnosis and hypnotherapy from a standpoint that had meaning and coherence for him, and The principles of hypnotherapy was an outgrowth of that process. He has also authored Hypnosis for beginners (1998), with a 2nd edition published in 2007.

The book is divided into three parts. Part A consisting of 9 chapters covers foundational material on systems theory and how that can be applied to organic systems and to hypnosis. It discusses positive feedback loops that amplify the process and negative feedback loops that subdue the process. Positive feedback amplification can be either beneficial or harmful depending on whether increasing the effect is desired, while negative feedback calming can be either beneficial or harmful depending on whether decreasing the effect is desired. Morgan focuses on the activity of a system, the activity of its component subsystems, or the activity of the supersystem of which the system is a component. His main theoretical focus is on whether the activity of the system is increasing, decreasing, or staying the same, as other components change in specified ways. Hypnosis is described in systems terms, not as a "state," but rather in terms of what system or subsystem components are changed, either increased or decreased, during trance induction, deepening, maintenance, trance work, and termination. He uses simple symbols to represent activities in quasi-mathematical style, which is helpful. Some of the letter symbols are used for different activities in different parts of the book. It would have been easier to follow if given letter symbols had been used more consistently to represent single specific activities. Some of his textual references to others' publications are found in the bibliography at the end of the book, but some are unfortunately not present in the bibliography. He goes through common hypnotic tests in Chapter 8 and inductions in Chapter 9 explaining them in systems terms. This does produce some greater conceptual clarity with respect to subsystem component activities during hypnosis.

Part B consisting of 6 chapters is the central discussion on what the systems approach can teach us about hypnotherapy. Chapter 10 discusses the matter of diagnosis in systems terms looking at precursors, problems, and resultants, and how they change with respect to one another. Chapter 11 focuses on positive and negative feedback loops in organic systems including behavioral, emotive, and cognitive. The vicious circle is a positive feedback loop with harmful consequences. Thinking in systems terms may make needed changes clearer to the therapist. Chapter 12 looks at the consequences of symptom reduction. The remaining three chapters in this part examine making changes by choosing the appropriate positive feedback loops to amplify desired effects and the appropriate negative feedback loops to quiet undesired effects, planning the changes, and reinforcing the changes by selecting natural reinforces.

Part C further develops aspects of the systems approach to hypnosis and is comprised of 10 chapters. Topics here include dynamic rebound in paired systems, dissociation, and a systems analysis of indirect questions. Experimentation based on systems theory is discussed, and family therapy and schools of psychotherapy are cataloged from a systems analysis viewpoint. The abstract dynamic patterns of analogies and metaphors are also analyzed from a systems viewpoint, while consciousness is approached from a supersystem vantage point. Finally, the mathematics of linear equations is applied as a reasonable approximation of activity in positive and negative feedback loops, so long as the numbers are reasonably small.

For another mathematical modeling approach to understanding the mind and hypnosis, see Ernest Rossi's (1996) application of chaos theory in Part 1 of his "The Symptom Path to Enlightenment." In this chaos model, linear equation models are considered inadequate approximations to reality; instead, computer calculated approximations of mathematical models based on calculus derivatives, partial derivatives, and integrals are used to model critical phase transitions in the swirling storm of brain activity.

The Principles of Hypnotherapy does not present itself as a manual on how to do hypnotherapy. Instead, it presents a systems theory framework for understanding hypnosis and hypnotherapy viewed in a singularly different way that may help to clarify thinking about how to diagnose problems and structure treatment approaches. Its strong points are in bringing mathematical concepts of systems analysis through changes in activity induced in positive and negative feedback loops to the non-mathematician in a reasonably clear way. It is unencumbered by mathematical jargon and provides a new vantage point for viewing the hypnotherapy process. Its weak points include the incomplete references in the bibliography, the lack of an index, and the lack of consistently assigned letters to represent specific activities.

This book is recommended to those who may be seeking a new approach or insight into how to think about and structure the clinical applications of hypnosis. The systems approach also has the advantage of being compatible with scientific investigation. Using linear equations as a rough model for positive and negative feedback loops simplifies the process so that the non-mathematician has a better chance of comprehending the systems theory approach. It has the disadvantage of being a poor approximation for complex organic systems. The author appears aware of this trade-off and is to be commended for his trail-blazing efforts to connect systems theory and hypnosis. For those who are uncertain whether to purchase this hard copy form of the book, further perusal is available online at the author's website www.hypnol.co.uk free of charge.

Reference

Rossi E. L. (1996). The symptom path to enlightenment: The new dynamics of self-organization in hypnotherapy and advanced manual for beginners. Pacific Palisades, CA: Palisades Gateway Publishing.

Morgan, D. (2003/1998). Hypnosis for beginners. Cosmo Publications.

Reviewed by Philip D. Shenefelt, M.D., University of South Florida, Tampa, FL.

Copyright American Society of Clinical Hypnosis Jan 2008

(c) 2008 American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved. The Principles of Hypnotherapy
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