W.14.99

Title: Ericksonian hypnotherapy for individuals with agoraphobia: A Hero's Journey
Presenters: Beatriz Suarez-Buratti
Venue: 
Didactic centre of the Faculty of Law and Administration (Krupnicza 33A)     
Wydział Prawa i Administracji Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego (Krupnicza 33A) 
Room 209 / Sala 209

Time: 14.06.2024 12:30-14:00
Language: EN

Abstract:

Living with agoraphobia can cause serious suffering. The standardised list of symptoms and clinical criteria given in diagnostic manuals center around the observed features of patient’s presentations but fail to reflect the internal experience of helpnessness and distress.

Feelings of being trapped or out of control of their daily lives make it difficult to hold down a job or maintain healthy relationships. Suffering becomes a frozen response. Negative expectations consume a lot of time and energy. Meaningful decisions are avoided and the avoidance strategy reinforces a cycle of fearful anticipation.

Treatment with medications and cognitive behavioral methods include techniques of breathing and relaxation designed to alleviate somatic symptoms and facilitate exposure to previously avoided places and situations. Symptomatic reduction is an important aspect for functional improvement, yet patients find that with medical and behavioral interventions the execution of actions and movements often involve inner struggle and effortful deliberations.

More than symptom reduction is called for.

A core element of the naturalistic approach to Ericksonian hypnotherapy is the expectation that the most ideal change comes from within. Assuming a metaphorical perspective, the therapeutic process may be represented in terms of the mythological concept of the Hero’s Journey.

In this workshop we explore the strengths and difficulties that agoraphobic patients take as they face the challenge to overcome their obstacles in each step of treatment. Case descriptions will be used to illustrate the application of conversational hypnosis and metaphor in effective Ericksonian interventions. An experiential exercise in small group format will be used to create a story to strengthen the self image of having the required resources available and accomplishing triumph over the obstacle that appeared in the initial step.

BEATRIZ SUAREZ-BURATTI, MSc is an independent Ericksonian Hypnotherapist and Clinical Neuropsychologist working in private practice at the Erickson Institute of Madrid and in HipnosisPsicologos. She specializes in Ericksonian naturalistic hypnosis to treat severe anxiety in children and adults. One of the founding members of the Spanish Ericksonian Hypnosis Association (AEHE), she has a particular interest in the application of conversational techniques aimed at treatement in perinatal women and elderly population with psychological distress.