CCHN(C) key terms

A state of focused attention and reduced peripheral awareness in which a person becomes more responsive to suggestion, typically entered through an agreed procedure led by a clinician or by the person alone.

The clinical use of hypnosis as an adjunct within a planned psychological or medical treatment, combining induction, therapeutic suggestion, and evidence-based intervention rather than hypnosis as a standalone cure.

A communication that invites a person to experience a change in perception, thought, feeling, or behavior without coercion or argument, often phrased to allow the person to accept or modify what is offered.

A person's tendency to respond to suggestions, influenced by context, expectancy, rapport, and absorption; it is not a fixed trait and does not measure gullibility or weakness of character.

The degree to which a person shows the classic phenomena of hypnosis, such as analgesia, amnesia, or involuntary movement, when given standardized suggestions; it varies widely and is only moderately stable across time.

The capacity to become deeply engaged in an experience while ignoring surrounding distractions; it is a measurable trait linked to, but not identical with, hypnotic responsiveness.

Observable responses classically associated with hypnosis, including analgesia, amnesia, age regression, catalepsy, ideomotor movement, and perceptual alteration; their presence supports but does not define hypnosis.

An involuntary-looking movement produced by suggestion, such as a hand lifting when told it is becoming light; it is a common marker of responsiveness and is used in induction and assessment.

The tendency for a held pendulum or similar device to swing in the direction a person expects or imagines, illustrating how expectancy and ideomotor action shape experience without deliberate movement.

Reduction of pain through hypnotic suggestion without loss of consciousness; it is used as an adjunct for procedural and chronic pain and is distinct from pharmacological anesthesia.

A descriptive label for the subjective state often reported during hypnosis, such as relaxed focus or time distortion; the term is used loosely because no single physiological signature defines it.

A person's anticipation about what will happen during hypnosis, which strongly shapes responsiveness; clinicians address it during preparation because unrealistic fears or hopes both affect outcomes.

Common misconceptions, such as that hypnosis is sleep, mind control, or a truth serum, or that a person can be forced to act against their will; correcting them during informed consent improves safety and rapport.

The process of explaining the nature, purpose, risks, alternatives, and limits of hypnosis, confirming understanding, and obtaining voluntary agreement before proceeding, documented in the record.

A condition or circumstance in which hypnosis should be avoided, modified, or deferred, such as untreated psychosis, certain dissociative disorders, or use for recovering disputed memories.

A structured pre-hypnosis review of medical, psychiatric, and psychosocial history to identify risks, set goals, and decide whether hypnosis is appropriate, adapted, or should be postponed.

The initial clinical conversation gathering presenting concerns, history, expectations, and goals; it establishes rapport and informs whether and how hypnosis will be integrated into care.

The process of guiding a person into hypnosis using focused attention, relaxation, imagery, or eye fixation; it is a means to an end, not the therapeutic work itself.

Techniques used after induction to intensify involvement, such as counting down stairs, imagery of descent, or fractionation; deepening is tailored to the person's response and comfort.

A deepening method in which the person is briefly brought out of hypnosis and re-induced, often repeatedly, to increase depth; it is used only when the person tolerates the transitions well.

A carefully worded message aimed at a clinical goal, such as comfort, confidence, or reduced nausea; effective suggestions are specific, positively phrased, and congruent with the person's values.

A set of suggestions designed to build self-confidence, resilience, and coping capacity, often used in brief therapy; it emphasizes the person's existing strengths rather than symptom removal alone.

The use of suggested mental scenes, such as a safe place or healing light, to influence emotion and physiology; it is often paired with hypnosis and chosen collaboratively with the person.

Structured practice in reducing physiological arousal through breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or imagery; it is a common induction component and a standalone behavioral skill.

A learned skill in which a person induces and uses hypnosis independently, often with a practiced cue and script; it supports generalization of gains between sessions.

Between-session practice, such as self-hypnosis or imagery rehearsal, agreed with the person to consolidate skills; tasks should be brief, realistic, and reviewed at the next contact.

The transfer of skills and gains from the therapy session to everyday settings; it is promoted through practice, varied contexts, and self-directed application.

The planned return from hypnosis to ordinary alertness, often with counting and orientation cues; it is conducted calmly and checked so the person leaves oriented and comfortable.

The structured ending of hypnotherapy, including review of gains, planning for maintenance, and closing the professional relationship; it is distinguished from emergence, which ends a single trance.

An unwanted response to hypnosis, such as anxiety, dizziness, intrusive memories, or failure to emerge as expected; it is managed by reassurance, grounding, and follow-up, and documented.

A sudden release of intense emotion or imagery during hypnosis, sometimes linked to distressing memories; it requires containment, grounding, and clinical judgment rather than continued probing.

The clinical record of consent, screening, induction approach, suggestions used, responses, and any adverse events; it supports continuity, supervision, and accountability.

The boundaries of what a clinician is trained, licensed, and permitted to do; hypnosis does not extend those limits, and clinicians refer when a concern falls outside their competence.

A written outline of goals, target problems, planned interventions, session frequency, and measures of progress; hypnosis is included only where it serves those agreed goals.

A trusting working alliance built through attentive listening, clear communication, and respect for the person's autonomy; it underpins safe induction and honest informed consent.

A communication approach that first matches the person's current experience and language, then gently guides toward a desired response; it supports rapport and acceptance of suggestions.

A suggested experience of returning to an earlier time; it is used cautiously for resource building or review, never to recover presumed historical facts, because memory is reconstructive.

Suggested or spontaneous difficulty recalling events of the trance; it is a classic responsiveness marker and is not used to suppress material the person needs to process.