The value of using hypnosis in helping an adult survivor of childhood sexual abuse

This report describes the successful treatment of a 33-year-old Chinese woman who had affect dysregulation and chronic trauma symptoms resulting from an intra-familial childhood sexual abuse. A strategically phased multimodal treatment tailored to the needs of the client was used. The treatment framework consisted of three phases: training on affect management, strengthening the ego and re-processing the trauma. Hypnosis was utilized as a means for grounding and stabilizing the overwhelming emotions; for addressing the negative self-schema; and also for re-processing the traumatic memories in a safe and controlled way. Data from self-reports, observation and objective measures indicates a significant reduction in the trauma symptoms. Copyright © 2007 British Society of Experimental & Clinical Hypnosis. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.