'Intellectual 40m Series' looks into hypnosis for crisis negotiation

Senior Superintendent (SSP) Gilbert Wong Kwong-hing from Service Quality Wing attended Police College's session #16 of "Intellectual 40m Series" on July 29 and shared with the audience the myths and misconceptions of hypnosis, and a comparison between hypnosis and hypnotherapy. He also introduced the application of hypnosis in crisis negotiation.  

Quoting a report issued by the British Medical Association, SSP Wong said that hypnosis is a valuable medical tool and that a report published by the American Psychiatric Association recognizes hypnosis as a viable modality to treat some psychological problems.  

SSP Wong went on to say that many myths of hypnosis arose from the historical connection of hypnosis with supernaturalism and mysticism.  In fact, hypnosis is an altered state of awareness with focused concentration and creates a subconscious change in a patient in the forms of new thoughts, attitudes, behaviour or feelings.

Another guest speaker, Sergeant Lau Kwok-man from Detective Training Centre, described how he was clinically hypnotized and got a substantial relief for a chronic pain resulting from a traffic accident.  

The sharing session attracted over 50 officers, who showed a great interest in the two guest speakers'presentations.