London College of Clinical Hypnosis

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a relatively new science that explores the relationship between psychological states and body function. It is the study of how both positive and negative states of mind can affect immune system responses, specifically with regard to the development of disease. many authorities now acknowledge that there is a link between negative mindsets, such as stress and depression, and the development and/or course of conditions such as cancer, arthritis, systemic lupus erythmatosis (SLE), and coronary disease, to name but a few. With this in mind it becomes obvious that a positive state of mind can have the opposite effect, playing a beneficial role in boosting the immune system whilst helping to mediate acceptance, management, and possible remission.

Hypnotic literature is littered with anecdotal evidence showing how the mind-body connection can be utilised to a patients advantage. This Masterclass is designed to explore the field of PNI and show how it relates to hypnotherapeutic intervention. It will encompass the use of imagination, dissociation and metaphor whilst highlighting the important difference between the concepts of “healing” and “cure”.

This Masterclass will appeal to both lay and medical practitioners at all levels of experience. It will give an understanding of the relationship between psychological and physical states, providing therapists with strategies that will allow their patients to develop a positive outlook with regard to their presenting condition. At the same time, these strategies will aid the stimulation of the immune system which, in combination with the positive state of mind, can lead to an achievable resolution for the patient.

The course will include:

• The mind-body connection
• Physiological effects of stress, depression, and trauma
• Understanding immunity
• Neurology of PNI
• Healing, not curing - an important difference
• “Communicating” with disease
• Stimulating the immune system
• The use of imagination
• Belief systems and esoteric approaches
• Specific disease states, including:
  • Cancer
  • SLE
  • Arthritis
  • HIV
  • Dermatological conditions
• Accept the diagnosis, not the prognosis - the effects of language
• PNI for general health
• Protocols and scripts will be given

Peter Mabbutt, FBSCH, FBAMH originally trained in Psychopharmacology, and has spent over 20 years undertaking research in the field of anxiety-based conditions and their treatment. As well as heading the team responsible for updating the LCCH courses to incorporate new techniques and research, Peter lectures on the therapeutic applications of Clinical Hypnosis to the medical profession both nationally and internationally. He is Clinical Hypnotherapist for the hospital based Health Education and Lifestyle Therapy for Hypertension (HEALTH) initiative, and is the Literary Editor of the European Journal of Clinical Hypnosis. Peter holds a particular interest in the use of Psychoneuroimmunological techniques within hypnosis, and is a founder Fellow of the British Association of Medical Hypnosis.