Hypnosis: an important option.

Hypnosis: An Important Option

I am writing in response to Dr. Robert T. London's recent article about hypnosis ("Hypnosis: A Call for Training," July 2009, p. 13). I have been using hypnosis in my private practice since I took a workshop with the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis in 1987. When I left private practice and moved to Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center's Paul L. Foster School of Medicine more than 3 years ago, 1 was asked to teach residents hypnosis techniques.

This has been well-received by some of the residents, and they have become very competent hypno-therapists. As the clerkship director for our third-year medical students, I also do an introduction to hypnosis with them. For medical students who show an interest in hypnosis--whether or not they go into psychiatry--I hold an optional training workshop once a year. This past May, I had 10 medical students attend this workshop.

Hypnosis has been such a valuable tool that I would hate to practice psychiatry without having it as an option. I hope other institutions will incorporate hypnosis training into their curriculum. Dan I. Blunk, M.D. El Paso, Tex.

Dan I. Blunk, M.D. El Paso, Tex.

Dr. London replies:

Thanks to Dr. Blunk for pointing out the importance of training in hypnosis in psychiatric residency programs. I hope that more and more psychiatrists who develop training programs share his enthusiasm for this valuable modality.