Mulvihill Hypnosis

M ichael Mulvihill Author | Psychologist | Martial Artist | Hypnotherapist I am a multi-disciplinary creator with a unique blend of psychological expertise , creative storytelling , and a passion for martial arts . With a BA in Psychology , an MA in Addiction Studies , a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychotherapy , and certifications in Hypnotherapy , I’ve dedicated my career to exploring the human mind and understanding the complexities of human behavior. As an author , I write horror and dystopian fiction, including my novels Siberian Hellhole and Diabolis of Dublin . I’m currently working on a dystopian novel and a vampire fiction project ( Ethagoria ), blending psychological insights with chilling narratives. Outside of my writing, I hold a black belt in Kenpo and practice martial arts in a way that suits my body’s changing needs due to osteoarthritis. I believe in the power of discipline, adaptability, and consistency —values that shape both my personal and professional life. ...

The case of Miss Lucy R. was one of Freud’s early attempts to understand hysteria through his developing psychoanalytic method. She was a 30-year-old English governess who suffered from olfactory hallucinations—she persistently smelled burnt pudding and cigars, even when no such odors were present. Along with this, she experienced chronic sadness and emotional distress. Freud’s Analysis Freud rejected the common neurological explanations of the time and instead linked Miss Lucy R.'s symptoms to repressed emotions and psychological trauma. Through free association and hypnosis, he uncovered that she was secretly in love with her employer, the father of the children she cared for. However, she repressed these feelings because she saw them as socially and morally unacceptable. Additionally, she had experienced humiliating incidents in which her employer had dismissed her emotional needs and subtly reminded her of her low social status. The smell of burnt pudding, Freud sug...

 Some psychoanalysts who retained hypnosis did indeed use suggestion as part of their therapeutic approach. While Freud and others distanced themselves from hypnosis, figures like Sándor Ferenczi and Otto Rank continued to use it, particularly when working with trauma and difficult cases.  1. Sándor Ferenczi (1873–1933) – Hypnosis and “Active Therapy” Ferenczi was one of Freud’s closest collaborators, but he developed his own therapeutic techniques, including the continued use of hypnosis and suggestion: Use of Hypnosis: Ferenczi believed hypnosis was valuable, especially for patients with early childhood trauma or those resistant to free association. He used it to access deeply repressed memories that were difficult to reach through traditional psychoanalytic methods. Use of Suggestion: He practiced “active therapy,” which included direct suggestion to help patients confront difficult emotional truths. For example, he might suggest that a patient revisit traumatic experiences...

A refined list focusing on psychoanalysts and their views on hypnosis: 1. Sigmund Freud (1856–1939) – Started With Hypnosis, Then Rejected It Freud initially used hypnosis, influenced by Charcot and Breuer, to uncover repressed memories. However, he found that: Not all patients could be hypnotized. Hypnotic effects were temporary. Free association worked better in exploring the unconscious. Freud abandoned hypnosis in favor of psychoanalysis, believing that patients needed to consciously work through their conflicts. 2. Carl Jung (1875–1961) – Skeptical, Preferred Active Engagement Jung experimented with hypnosis early in his career but later moved away from it. His main concerns were: Hypnosis made patients too passive. He preferred active imagination to engage with the unconscious. He valued long-term transformation over suggestibility. While he didn’t completely dismiss hypnosis, he thought deeper self-awareness was best achieved through personal engagem...

Carl Jung's Attitude to Hypnosis: A Critical Examination Carl Jung, one of the most influential figures in the field of psychology, is best known for his pioneering work on the collective unconscious, archetypes, and the process of individuation. Throughout his career, Jung explored various methods and techniques for engaging with the unconscious mind, but his stance on hypnosis, a common practice in early psychoanalytic circles, reveals a nuanced perspective. While he did not categorically reject hypnosis, Jung expressed caution and criticism about its use in clinical settings, preferring approaches that promoted personal autonomy and self-exploration. This essay will examine Jung's attitude to hypnosis, considering his views on its limitations, potential, and the methods he favored for accessing the unconscious. Early Exposure and Interest in Hypnosis Jung's exposure to hypnosis was not limited to the development of his own theories but was part of his earl...

The Liverpool Dream Patient: Jung’s Exploration of Transformation and the Unconscious Carl Jung’s case of The Liverpool Dream Patient is a compelling example of how he linked dream symbolism to modern psychology. This case significantly contributed to his understanding of individuation , the process of psychological growth and self-realization. By analyzing the dreams of this patient, Jung reinforced his belief in the collective unconscious and the importance of symbolic transformation in personal development. The Case Jung encountered a patient who reported experiencing a profound and transformative dream set in the city of Liverpool . In the dream, the patient found themselves in a dark city with only a single source of light—a tree illuminated at its center. This vision profoundly resonated with Jung, who saw it as a symbolic representation of psychological renewal and enlightenment emerging from the depths of the unconscious. Jung interpreted this dream as an ex...