The relational (intersubjective) approach to hypnosis

Udi Bonshtein, PhD., Clinical psychologist

Child & Family Guidance Unit, Western Galilee Hospital, Nahariya, Israel

and

The psychotherapy study program, Zefat, Israel

From: Bonshtein, U. (2009). The relational (intersubjective) approach to hypnosis. In F., Columbus (Ed.): Hypnosis: Theories, Research and Applications (p. 145-160). NY: Nova Science Publishers.

Abstract

The main aim of the present paper is to discuss how intersubjectivity can be applied to hypnosis. Intersubjectivity is the sharing of subjective states by two or more individuals. This is a major perspective in psychoanalysis. Adopting an intersubjective perspective in psychoanalysis means, above all, abandons the myth of the isolated mind.

First, the paper reviews the relationship between hypnosis and psychoanalysis. Three splits are described: a) psychoanalysis splits off from brain science; b) psychoanalysis splits off from hypnosis and c) splits occur within psychoanalysis. I discuss how these splits can be healed, so that hypnosis can be considered a two-person rather than a one person process.