Hypnotic imagery as an adjunct to the treatment of PTSD and extreme distress

Abstract

This client study of a 23-year old woman begins by exploring post-abortion distress in context with hypnosis, and identifies particular themes across symptoms that indicate that hypnosis may be an appropriate adjunct to therapy for this problem. For treatment a three-phase framework was used as proposed by Brown (1995) for PTSD. Symptom changes were monitored throughout the course of therapy in a multiple-baseline design. The client also completed pre- and post-therapy questionnaires. The therapeutic outcome is described with reference to data collected from weekly monitoring and from written feedback regarding the client’s own feelings about the therapy. The results indicate that the therapeutic interventions improved specific symptoms as well as general mental health and it is concluded that hypnosis may be a particularly appropriate adjunct to therapy for post-abortion distress