Relational Hypnotherapy for a Phobia of Blood and Needles: A Context-Enriched Conversation Analysis

Although clinical hypnosis has been studied in a variety of ways, most researchers have focused on individual approaches; few have examined relational models influenced by Gregory Bateson's systemic concepts. This article explores how the second author, the developer of a relational approach to hypnotherapy, successfully helped a client who desired to have a baby but could not see or talk about blood, needles, or medical procedures without fainting. Using context-enriched conversation analysis (CECA), the authors examined multiple sources of data, including selected audio-recorded excerpts from the hypnotherapeutic sessions; the client's descriptions of change in her email correspondence with the second author; and the second author's case notes. Although there were a total of eight sessions, this article primarily concentrates on what transpired during the first two sessions of a single case. The authors address clinical and research implications for hypnosis, brief and family therapy, and psychotherapy in general.