Bruce Eimer Ph.D., ABPP

Patients on an unending search for satisfactory relief from chronic pain often become depressed,
angry and alienated. This makes them a challenge to treat and decreases the likelihood of their
receiving effective help. While hypnosis is an empirically validated treatment tool for pain, its
efficacy is dependent on multiple factors. This workshop will examine what these factors are and
how they interact. Then the session will provide concrete guidelines for utilizing these factors
when using hypnosis to treat patients with chronic pain syndromes. A phase-oriented hypnotherapy
treatment model developed by the presenter will be described, and the objectives of each phase
along with hypnotherapeutic techniques used in each phase of the treatment, will be described and
demonstrated.

BENEFITS. Attendees who work with or expect to work with chronic pain patients will be able
to assess new patients with an understanding of the factors that can promote or interfere with
effective pain treatment. This will enable attendees to avoid further alienating the already
disillusioned pain patient, and more effectively use the clinical relationship in the service of the
therapy. The presenter will provide examples of how any licensed health care professional who
works with pain patients can address the objectives of each phase of the pain treatment model to
facilitate improved treatment adherence and enhanced patient satisfaction.