2006 Archive
North Carolina Society of Clinical Hypnosis
36th Annual Conference
September 15-16, 2006
The Brave New World of Mirror Neurons in Therapeutic Hypnosis, Psychotherapy, and Rehabilitation
Ernest Rossi, Ph.D. and Kathryn Rossi, Ph.D.
The Brave New World of Mirror Neurons in Empathy and Neuroscience now purports to update and reframe our conceptual and professional identity as psychotherapists. In this introductory program Ernest and Kathryn Rossi outline the recently emerging neuroscience foundations for the clinical practice of therapeutic hypnosis, psychotherapy, and rehabilitation in a manner that is consistent with Ericksonian approaches. We will trace the pathways between observing consciousness, mirror neurons, the genomic/protein synthesis cycle, brain plasticity, and stem cell healing in response to novelty, enrichment, and exercise in our daily life as well as during important life transitions. We will explore the theory that Art, Beauty, and Truth may turn on gene expression and brain plasticity in human relationships during our live group processes, individual demonstrations, and therapeutic practicum in small groups.
Workshop Objectives:
1. Summarize research on the role of mirror neurons in empathy and rapport during therapeutic hypnosis, psychotherapy, and rehabilitation.
2. List three psychosocial experiences that facilitate the gene expression/protein synthesis cycle, brain plasticity, and mind-body healing.
3. Practice new skill sets in utilizing the mirror neurons concept to teach and facilitate the induction and practice of therapeutic hypnosis, psychotherapy, and rehabilitation.
Ernest Lawrence Rossi, Ph.D. received the Lifetime Achievement Award For Outstanding Contributions to the Field of Psychotherapy by the Erickson Foundation in 1980 and the American Association of Psychotherapy in 2003. He authored 25 books and 150 scientific papers on therapeutic hypnosis, psychotherapy, rehabilitation, dreams and the creative process. His most recent books include The Breakout Heuristic: The New Neuroscience of Mirror Neurons, Consciousness and Creativity in Human Relationships (Zeig-Tucker-Theisen, 2007), The Psychobiology of Gene Expression: Neuroscience and Neurogenesis in Hypnosis and the Healing Arts (W. W. Norton, 2002) and A Dialogue with Our Genes: The Psychosocial Genomics of Therapeutic Hypnosis and Psychotherapy (2004). He recently updated the New Neuroscience Edition of the Collected Papers of Milton H. Erickson and half a dozen other books co-authored with him on CDs.
Kathryn Lane Rossi, Ph.D. is a graduate of The Cambridge Graduate School for Psychology, Los Angeles, and is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in California. She received her Post Doctoral Training at the UCLA School of Medicine in Couples Therapy where she was Certified for Advanced Training in Sex Therapy in 1992. She is currently Professor of Psychology at The New Neuroscience Institute for Therapeutic Hypnosis, Psychotherapy, and Rehabilitation of Rome and Napoli, Italy. She teaches workshops training psychotherapists nationally and internationally. She recently edited The New Neuroscience Edition of the Collected Papers of Milton H. Erickson and half a dozen other Erickson/Rossi books on CDs. Her most recent publications include “The Neuroscience of Observing Consciousness & Mirror Neurons in Therapeutic Hypnosis” in the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, April 2006.
