Hypnotherapy Research

The Exploration Phase - Hypnosis and Biofeedback
     The path of exploration for new ideas and concepts about hypnosis has always been exciting because new information is discovered, new serendipitous experiences unfold and their combination contributes to gaining additional insight and knowledge. Recently, as part of my Doctoral Project, I postulated the idea of being able to consistently measure the depth of the hypnotic somnambulistic state using the Electrophotographic Biofeedback Aura Camera, and the rapid hypnotic induction techniques of Dave Elman. The behavioral science of practical hypnosis has been and continues to be researched, especially its relationship to alternative healing practices. Keeping the idea of alternative healing as a focus of my research, I investigated and looked for a new approach to observing, measuring and recording the depth of the hypnotic state. Using the Dave Elman rapid induction techniques of eye catalepsy, relaxation and amnesia and the resulting photographs of subjects in the altered state of consciousness as captured by the Electrophotograph Biofeedback Aura Camera, I gathered, compared and contrasted the results in order to answer the question of whether or not the photograph of the altered state of consciousness (hypnosis) illustrated any differences between that and the conscious state of being awake.
     To begin and conduct this research fifteen people were selected and placed into three different groups. I utilized interviewing techniques that gathered information about personal issues, life experiences, education and motivation for their involvement in the research. An analysis of the information gathered included the search for common trends within the resulting photographs of the three separate groups.
     Participants were selected and placed into the three groups using the model cited by Roy Udolf. Udolf’s model was chosen as a guide because it cites consideration of the following factors: age, sex, intelligence, education, occupation, nationality, race and religion. Childhood Experiences–(Reports by Query) found no relationship between family size or birth order and hypnotic susceptibility. Personality does play an important part with respect to hypnotizability. The trust and comfort levels between hypnotist and subject will affect the results of a hypnotic state.
     As part of the participant selection process, this writer also utilized Spiegel, who cites three personality types with respect to cognitive styles and their affect on hypnotic susceptibility. Spiegel describes the three personality types as the Appollonian–the thinker and analytical type, the Dionysion–the emotional, living in the present type, and the Odyssean–the more moderate of the two. This writer chose participants with the Odyssean quality with respect to their outward signs of motivation and enthusiasm. I considered these aspects the most important part of their personality for involvement in the research project. Nevertheless, keeping Udolf’s model in perspective, the interviews conducted with the participants were also influenced by their individual backgrounds from a variety of socioeconomic levels, to ranging in ages from the 20’s through 65.
     The participants selected did not take any written susceptibility test or go through psychological diagnosis but were chosen on the assumption that they were normal and would make better subjects than those who are part of the patient population with declared or diagnosed phobias or other mental disorders.
     The individuals selected were placed into three groups of five persons each. A series of three photographs were taken of each person within the groups. Photograph one, was taken at the conscious state or at the start. Photograph two was taken of the somnambulistic trance state of consciousness and photograph three, was taken at the emerged awake state of consciousness. In group one, participants were induced into a hypnotic state for the second photograph using the Dave Elman technique. Group two participants used self hypnosis as the method for entering into an altered state for the second photograph. However, group three participants, the control group, were not required to change their state of consciousness for any of the three photographs within their series.
     The results of my research are as follows; In groups 1 and 2, the second photograph of the somnambulistic state of consciousness changed in color and vibratory rate when compared to the first and third photographs within those two groups. The first and third photographs had colors and vibratory rates that varied in the blues, greens and reds. However in the second photograph within these groups, the hypnotic somnambulistic trance state, had the consistent violet color and vibratory rate (1200 Hz +). The color violet represents a state of spirituality, peace, intuition, and fantasy as described in Eastern philosophy of the Chakras or the Western idea of the electromagnetic human energy field. As a contrast, the colors noted in photographs of the third control group remained constant in the blues, greens and reds with no notable changes among any of the photographs.
The results of the research clearly indicates that the Electrophotographic Biofeedback Aura Camera can be used to detect and display changes between the hypnotic state of consciousness and the awake state. In addition, by using the color numerical vibratory Hz (cycles per second) rate values of Dr. Valarie Hunt’s research, the state of consciousness can be measured numerically as well as observed in color as captured on film by the camera.
     The results of the research are exciting because they demonstrated that the Coggins’ Electrophotographic Biofeedback Aura Camera can be used by any hypnotherapist to facilitate change within their clients. In fact, because there are observable notable changes of colors and of numerical vibratory values between individuals, the participants were able to make the connection with respect to their own individual internal awareness. The camera offers an excellent visual aid to assist clients in understanding and observing their personal state of being.
     We know through personal experience that each person lives in his or her own unique universe. What we observe in a mirror or in a photograph is a representation of ourselves and has far greater personal meaning than all of the spoken or written words. The Electrophotographic Biofeedback Aura Camera is an excellent tool for facilitating personal change, because it allows clients to see the change captured on a photograph, thereby, allowing them  to make the neuro-connections about their emotional, spiritual and physical state.
     Comments from the participants of this research were extremely favorable with respect to being able to make the connection between their personal photographs and the internal processing of their personal lives. As one participant stated, “I never knew what it meant to be free of stress and anxiety, even for just a few minutes. After seeing my pictures and the differences between them, as well as comparing my feelings to them, I was able to recreate the experience of being calm and at peace whenever I began to feel stress. I learned how to get better control of my mental and emotional state”.
     The results of this research further suggest that its findings offer a unique method of helping people learn more about themselves through the use of hypnosis. To quote Dave Elman, “People have invested hypnosis with a lot of false ideas. It is perhaps one of the most beautiful states that God has made possible to mankind and this beautiful state contains nature’s own anesthesia which God makes available to everyone of us.  When you’re taught to look at hypnosis properly, you see it as a very beautiful and wonderful thing.....”
     It has been quoted many times before and I quote it here again with respect to measuring the state of hypnosis, “One picture is worth a thousand words!”