Accepted Posters

Updated: July 14, 2025                   

Poster Session

A preliminary list of approved posters for the SCEH 2025 Annual Conference appears below. Posters are listed in alpha order by primary author name.

The Subjective Background of Highly Hypnotizable Dissociative and Non-Dissociative Individuals' Hypnotic Responses

Vivien Belegrai, ELTE, Institute of Psychology, Budapest,Hungary

The aim of the present study was to explore the differences between the hypnotic responses of the two subgroups of highly hypnotizable individuals and also to explore the subjective background of their hypnotic responses. Firstly, we measured hypnotizability of each participant with Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale Form C. After the hypnosis experience, participants were asked multiple questions regarding their subjective experience during specific suggestions of SHSS:C. Lastly, participants were asked to complete the following scales: first, the Dissociative Experiences Scale-II and then the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire-2. The focus of the research is on suggestions which are proposed to elicit different responses from different subtypes of highly hypnotizable people. The data analysis is still ongoing, once itt is finished, the results will be presented.

Case Study: Hypnotherapy as a Facilitator to Stress Management in a Patient with IBS

Santia Berberena, PsyD and Nehchal Kaur, MA, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA

Psychological symptoms are an integral part of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and frequently co-occur with the Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Stress can trigger or exacerbate GI symptoms; therefore, managing stress is crucial to patients. While there is established research on the use of protocol-based hypnosis to attenuate physical IBS symptoms, there is a lack of research in exploring hypnotherapy to target the associated stress that often accompanies significant GI conditions. This case study speaks to the utility of hypnosis as a stress-management technique for a Latina female in her late 30s with recurring symptoms of IBS and associated stress. Hypnosis was delivered using the North Carolina Protocol for IBS, which entailed the administration of seven hypnotherapy sessions delivered on a biweekly schedule and involved the independent practice of a daily at-home hypnosis recording. At the conclusion of treatment, the patient reported a significant improvement in her IBS symptoms and her ability to manage the associated stress. The outcome for this case study suggests that engaging in hypnosis using the North Carolina Protocol may not only attenuate GI symptoms but can also serve as method to teaching sustainable stress-management techniques to individuals with IBS. Future studies should investigate how engagement in the independent practice of self-hypnosis in GI patients can promote better stress management and reduction of GI symptoms long-term.

Increasing Access to Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy Through Group Classes

Meredith Craven, PhD, MPH, Stanford School of Medicine, Brookhaven, GA, USA

Brain-gut behavior therapies (BGBTs), including gut-directed hypnotherapy (GDH) are effective in improving gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and quality of life across the spectrum of GI conditions. The integration of BGBTs as part of a multidisciplinary approach is increasingly recommended. While effective, BGBTs can be difficult to access due to high demand and limited number of psychologists with training in psychogastroenterology or GDH. This project aimed to identify ways to improve access to BGBTs in a multidisciplinary practice with one GI Psychologist. We introduced five different telehealth BGBT skills-based group classes in September 2023, including GDH. Between September 2023 to September 2024, a total of 1869 patients were seen. During this time, the GI psychologist ran 17 group classes; 1127 patients participated. A total of 580 visits were conducted between September 2022 to June 2023 as compared to 943 (378 individual visits and 565 class visits) during the same time in 2024. The number of new patient individual visits increased from 13 per month to 29 per month after 6 months of introduction of group classes. Adherence to the classes was comparable to the individual visits with an average of 3 visits per individual. After the introduction of the groups, the wait time to the first visit for new patient visits declined from an average of 106.9 days in first quarter of 2023 to 44.3 days in the first quarter of 2024. Patients are receptive to groups, decreasing the amount of time patients wait for services, while delivering effective BGBTs, including GDH.

Combining Hypnosis, Schema Therapy, and Existential Concepts in Treating Complex Trauma from Cult Exposure: A Case Study

Ali Ebrahimi, Kashmar Azad University, Mashhad, Iran

This case study examines the efficacy of an eclectic approach integrating hypnosis, schema therapy, and existential concepts in treating a 46-year-old woman with complex trauma. The client presented with severe symptoms, including panic attacks (4-5 times weekly), anxiety, somatic complaints, and sleep disturbances, stemming from 15 years of psychological pressure in a religious cult. In the initial six 60-minute sessions, light hypnosis facilitated catharsis and expression of grievances related to cult experiences. Hypnotic regression revealed that apparent symptoms (anxiety, somatic issues, sleep problems) masked deeper issues tied to profound identification with the client's mother, uncovered through a key memory from age three. This root cause was only identified through hypnosis, as previous therapists attributed symptoms solely to cult exposure. Hypnosis served three roles: 1) identifying past issues via regression; 2) analyzing maladaptive schemas (defectiveness/shame, emotional deprivation); 3) reframing traumatic memories. Schema therapy complemented root-cause analysis, while existential concepts, aligned with the client's religious beliefs, were used in regression to reframe memories into meaningful constructs. Over the next six sessions, this approach improved self-esteem, reduced panic attacks (to 0-1 weekly), alleviated anxiety and somatic symptoms, and enhanced sleep. The client gained deep insight and shifted focus from cult-related anxiety. This study highlights the potential of a multidisciplinary approach for complex trauma. Limitations include the single-case design. Future research should explore this method in larger samples. The study aligns with SCEH's multidisciplinary care goals.

Pilot Study Exploring the Effects of Virtual Reality Hypnosis as a Pain and Anxiety Relief Strategy in Oncology Patients during a Port-catheter Placement Procedure

Yanis Mouheb, MSc, Liege University, Liege, Belgium

The port-catheter (PAC) requires an invasive placement procedure that can induce perioperative pain and anxiety. Virtual Reality Hypnosis (VRH) is an innovative technique, underexplored in clinical applications. This study evaluates the effects of VRH on pain, anxiety, satisfaction, absorption and dissociation in oncology patients undergoing PAC placement. Methods: Twenty oncology patients (68.5 ± 8.5yo; 15 women) received VRH (Aqua, HypnoVR, following a whale in an underwater world) in addition to usual care (i.e., local anesthesia) during the PAC placement. Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) on pain intensity, pain unpleasantness, anxiety and comfort were assessed before and after the intervention; as well as satisfaction, absorption and dissociation, solely after. Non-parametric paired samples t-tests (Wilcoxon) and Pearson's correlations were used.  Results: VRH significantly reduced anxiety (p< 0.001), while pain showed a decreasing trend. Absorption correlated negatively with post-anxiety (p< 0.001), and dissociation was positively associated with absorption (p=0.005). Discussion: These findings showed study feasibility in the context of an invasive procedure such as PAC for patients with cancer and suggest VRH as a promising approach to manage perioperative anxiety . A randomised controlled trial is currently being conducted to further validate these results.

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76th Annual Workshops and Scientific Program

The Future of Healing: Hypnosis in Multidisciplinary Care

October 8-12, 2025 – Live online (Wednesday-Sunday)

Introductory, Intermediate and Advanced Workshops plus Scientific Program
Please note that all posted times are in Pacific Time (PT). Click here for help converting time zones.
Details: https://www.sceh.us/2025-annual-conference-info