Mindful Hypnotherapy and Emotional Regulation: A Psychological Review of Contemporary Evidence

Abstract

The concept of emotional regulation is an important construct in the field of psychology, as it is crucial for mental health and psychological well-being. The integrative mindful hypnotherapy approach is designed to promote emotional regulation by utilizing focused attention, therapeutic suggestion, self-awareness, relaxation and cognitive flexibility. This paper concentrates on its psychological mechanisms of attentional control, acceptance, cognitive restructuring, interoceptive awareness and stress regulation. Some evidence for possible benefits on emotional balance, resilience and wellbeing exists, however methodological limitations and the need for well designed long term studies exist. More inter-disciplinary work is needed to make mindful hypnotherapy a scientifically-based method for emotional regulation.