IC19 Workshop 19 - Guided Imagery with Hypnosis for Brief Psychotherapy - Rubin Battino, MS

Description: A practical, experience-based approach to using guided imagery and hypnosis in brief psychotherapy. Participants learn a simple, flexible structure for helping clients work with anxiety, medical concerns, habits, and emotional blocks by drawing on imagery, breathing, safe inner spaces, and client-chosen healing resources. Through teaching, live demonstrations, and experiential exercises, the session shows how guided imagery can support rapid change, restore a sense of agency, and work effectively across a wide range of clinical concerns without relying on diagnosis-driven models.

Syllabus Description: Guided imagery (GI) was used initially to help people with life-challenging diseases, yet it is also highly applicable to psychotherapy. A brief history of GI will be presented. The presenter has used it successfully in brief therapy for almost all of his recent clients. Hypnosis is an essential part of GI sessions. The requirements for using GI will be described. It is necessary to tailor the session to the client's individual background and needs, and this will be discussed. The attendees will have the opportunity experience this via a group guided imagery session. And, the session will end with a GI healing meditation.

Educational Objectives:

1. Describe the three pieces of information needed for a guided imagery session.
2. Describe the necessity of individually tailoring these pieces of information to the individual client. 
3. Describe the role of hypnosis in a guided imagery session.

*Sessions may be edited for content and to preserve confidentiality*