BCH Special Populations & Contraindications Flashcards

Which population requires special caution and often physician clearance before hypnosis?

Answer: Clients with cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular clients may experience significant physiological changes during hypnosis, making physician clearance an important safety precaution.

Hypnosis with children generally requires:

Answer: Parental consent and age-appropriate language and imagery

Children are often highly responsive to hypnosis but require guardian consent and scripts that use imaginative, developmentally appropriate language.

For clients with a history of trauma, the hypnotist should:

Answer: Proceed carefully, prioritizing safety and avoiding regression work without proper training

Trauma survivors can be re-traumatized by poorly managed hypnotic regression, so trauma-informed care and specialized training are essential prerequisites.

A client diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder (DID) presents for hypnosis. The BCH should:

Answer: Refer the client to a licensed mental health professional with specialized training

DID requires specialized clinical expertise beyond the typical BCH scope of practice; referral to a licensed therapist protects the client from potential harm.

When working with elderly clients, hypnotists should be aware that:

Answer: Cognitive changes may require simpler language and shorter session lengths

Age-related cognitive changes can affect concentration and processing speed, so sessions should use clear, simple language and manageable duration.

Which of the following is a clear contraindication for hypnosis?

Answer: Active psychosis with command hallucinations

Active psychosis with command hallucinations is a contraindication because hypnosis could reinforce delusional thinking or amplify dangerous internal commands.