Hypnosis with Depression, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Chronic Pain

At one time, hypnosis was considered contraindicated for the treatment of depression. As recently as 15 years ago, a well-respected text on hypnotic suggestion cautioned practitioners to be careful in using this approach with depressed individuals because “the severity of depression may be exacerbated through uncovering of emotion-laden material” (Hammond, 1990, p. 330). Thanks to more refined current investigations, however, we have learned that hypnotic intervention can address root cause variables as well as specific symptoms (Yapko, 1996, 2001, 2003).