The Clinical Hypnosis Society of New Jersey is pleased to offer the next in the series of conversations based on the book, Introduction to Clinical Hypnosis: the basics and beyond, edited by Dr. Gary Elkins.
Join us on Saturday, September 26, 2026 as we welcome Ciara Christensen, Ph.D. and Aaron Finley, Psy.D. presenting "Integrating Hypnosis into Clinical Practice.”
This program will be held virtually on Zoom from 11AM to 1PM EDT.
The Clinical Conversations are free to members of ASCH, its component sections, SCEH, ESH, and ISH. There is a $15 fee for nonmembers. All proceeds go to fund the Stephen R. Lankton Scholarship Award.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
This two-hour workshop offers a practical and engaging overview of the research supporting clinical hypnosis as an evidence-based intervention across a range of clinical concerns. We will discuss clinical hypnosis, highlight representative research demonstrating its efficacy, and explore how hypnotic techniques can be thoughtfully integrated with established therapeutic approaches. Drawing on research, clinical examples, and interactive discussion, participants will consider how hypnosis can expand the therapeutic toolkit and support meaningful clinical change. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of both the evidence for clinical hypnosis and its potential applications across diverse practice settings.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:
1. Describe at least three findings from the research literature demonstrating how the integration of hypnotic interventions can improve treatment outcomes across clinical conditions.
2. Describe at least three therapeutic approaches with which hypnotic interventions can be integrated to enhance clinical treatment.
ABOUT THE PRESENTERS
Ciara Christensen, PhD, is a licensed psychologist who earned her doctorate from Washington State University in 2012. She is PSYPACT authorized and has worked across hospital-based and private practice settings. Dr. Christensen has held several leadership roles in the field of clinical hypnosis, serving as President of the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis (SCEH) and as President of the American Psychological Association’s Division 30, Society of Psychological Hypnosis. Her work in hypnosis spans research, education, and clinical practice, with publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations and workshops delivered nationally and internationally.
Aaron Finley, Psy.D., is a Postdoctoral Fellow at Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Los Angeles, where he maintains a clinical practice. He earned his doctoral degree from Baylor University, completing his research training within the Mind-Body Medicine Research Lab under the mentorship of Dr. Gary Elkins. Dr. Finley’s research interests explore the intersection of psychological flow states and their application to clinical and quality-of-life contexts. His scholarly work has focused on the efficacy of hypnosis in managing vasomotor symptoms in post-treatment cancer survivors and menopausal women, enhancing sleep quality among caregivers of individuals with mild cognitive impairment, and investigating pathways to post-traumatic growth.
Training health and mental health professionals since 1986