Hypnoanalysis
- Type:
Reviews
- Author:
Lewis R. Wolberg, M.D. London:
William Heinemann Ltd. 1946. Pp. 342. 21s.
The term Hypno-analysis, like its congener narcoanalysis, is either a legitimate if somewhat misleading term, or it is a contradiction in terms. It is a contradiction in terms if it implies that a true psycho-analysis can be conducted in combination with a variety of hypnotic techniques. If, however, it merely indicates that an ad hoc ” mental analysis ” can be directed under such conditions, it is appropriate enough; although it may give rise to a misleading impression, namely that the analysis in question is psycho-analysis. Whatever ” analytical ” labels may be employed?convulsoanalysis, pedagogic-analysis, exhortatory-analysis, occupational-analysis, selection-analysis, groupanalysis, ” active” analysis?the same distinction applies. In principle, there are only two forms of psycho-therapy?suggestion and psycho-analysis. Every so-called combination of psycho-analysis with nonanalytical methods is a form of suggestion, even if employed by psycho-analysts.
Had the author of this book been content to use the term ” analysis ” in its popular sense, or, better still, had he frankly entitled the book, ” The Technique of Hypnotic Suggestion “, he would have done himself more justice. For he shows great skill and ingenuity in manipulating hypnotic rapport in the interests of rapid psycho-therapy. It is true that the devices themselves?trance induction, dream induction, automatic writing and drawing, and ” conflict ” induction? are not original, but the author’s system of regulation, spacing and dosage, constitute a considerable advance in hypnotic treatment. I imagine this is as good a book on the manipulative aspects of hypnotic therapy as we are likely to see in a generation. For this reason, Dr Wolberg’s work is to be heartily recommended to those who have hitherto been content with hit or miss methods of hypnosis.
But Dr Wolberg steers a more ambitious course. Obviously guided by his interest in psycho-analytical theory and, no doubt, encouraged by the work of several psycho-analytical colleagues, in particular Dr. Kardiner (who contributes a Foreword and a lengthier chapter of dynamic interpretation), he sets out to demonstrate in practice that psycho-analytical techniques are compatible with hypnotic procedures, and in theory that this compatibility is little short of an identity. Even Dr Kardiner, who is at pains to distinguish between the methods, cuts the ground from this distinction by maintaining that an element of speed and directness is added to ” unconscious ” therapy without altering its dynamics.
Dr Wolberg is well aware of the criticisms that may be directed at the theoretical part of his work. One cannot but recall that Freud himself, who foresaw the time when a mass demand for rapid psychotherapy would lead to various combinations of analysis and hypnosis, was under no illusion as to the nature of such combined methods, and that his last word on the subject was to the effect that the best way of shortening a psycho-analysis was to carry it out properly. The demand for short-term therapy has become more insistent since the war, and experience of short-term methods has shown clearly that history-analysis, symptom-analysis and life-problem-analysis, can be much more effectively employed if the therapeutist is thoroughly conversant with psycho-analytical technique, can assess the locus and nature of resistance, and has a flair for symbol-interpretation.
But the success of all this lies in the avoidance of transference analysis. Should a transference neurosis develop, it is left for all practical purposes untouched. Short-term analysis differs from other forms of suggestion in that the suggestions are based on analytic interpretation. In all other respects, it is a rapport-therapy. Judged by the standards of a true psycho-analysis, it belongs to the category of ” wild analysis “.
Herein lies the main danger of the methods described and of the title applied to them by the author. ” Wild ” analysis we are quite familiar with; it will soon be necessary to coin the term ” wild hypnosis “. For if the techniques applied by Dr Wolberg were used by therapeutists unfamiliar with analytical values, they would be just as haphazard in direction and as uncertain in effect, as any other form of wild psychotherapy. Edward Glover.
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