Evaluate the Role of Behavior Therapy Theories in Clinical Hypnosis

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Evaluate the Role of Behavior Therapy Theories in Clinical Hypnosis Introduction There is a strong link between behavioral therapy and hypnobehavioral treatments as applied in clinical hypnosis. Behavioral therapy, which is also commonly known as behaviorism, is a school of thought designed around several theories that focus on the role of experience to govern behavior. On the other hand, hypnobehavioral treatments are the application of the techniques of behavioral therapy in clinical hypnosis. Even though, clinical therapy mainly focuses on the mental state of patients the contribution of behavioral therapy in the field is essential in complete treatment of patients. This essay aims at evaluating the role of these theories in the hypnobehavioral treatments of unwanted habits and anxiety conditions. Contributions of Behavioral Therapy to Clinical Hypnosis Behavioral modification through therapy in hypnosis is highly effective since hypnosis encourages learning. As a result, hypnotherapy is more effective than behavior therapy as it does not rely on repetition. Hypnotherapy increases suggestibility since it occurs in the unconscious mind, thereby bypassing some of the most critical conscious interferences. Employment of behavioral therapies is more effective in clinical hypnosis than in vivo as it enables the patient to achieve greater depths of relaxation. As a result, hypnotherapy is effective in the treatment of anxiety as it uses the process of deepening and induction to relieve anxiety. One common behavioral theory used in clinical hypnosis is conditioning. It is observed that children develop trust and mistrust from childhood depending on quality of their relationship with their mothers. In clinical hypnosis, classical conditioning is applied to eliminate unwanted behavior
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