The beneficial effects of a single hypnotherapy session using parts negotiation for specific phobias

Abstract

It is estimated that between 3 and 15% of people suffer from specific phobias in their lifetime. Typical treatments can be lengthy and distressing. Parts negotiation, an adaptation of the parts therapy approach in hypnotherapy, was suggested as a shorter, less distressing treatment option. However, clients’ experience of this therapy has yet to be thoroughly appraised. Accordingly, this study aimed to elucidate the experience through qualitative methods. Seven adults with a range of specific phobias received a single 60-minute session of hypnotherapy and were interviewed one week later. Thematic analysis was used to examine their accounts. Five main themes were identified: (1) Reported changes to pre-hypnotherapy phobic responses, (2) Exposure testing of the phobia, (3) Hypnotherapy as a positive experience, (4) Experience of previous therapies, (5) Core techniques and elements used in hypnotherapy. While limited in scope, the study suggests a single hypnotherapy session using parts negotiation may be of benefit.