Using Hypnosis to Enhance Performance and Creativity

Presenter: Dana Lebo, Ph.D.

Overview: 

Hardly a day goes by without a renowned public figure coming forward in the news and social media to reveal the impact of mental health on their performance and creativity. Stories and research abound on how mental health concerns have contributed to performance setbacks in the lives of elite athletes (U.S. Olympic Committee, 2019), performing artists ((Rusak, et al., 2021), students (Agnafors, et al., 2020) and employees in the workplace (Center for Disease Control, 2018). As society moves towards destigmatizing mental health challenges, the opportunity for clinicians who can use hypnosis (vs. psychopharmacological approaches) to help enhance performance, creativity and mental health is growing.  

Led by Dr. Dana Lebo, a seasoned psychologist specializing in performance psychology and executive coaching, this workshop draws on over two decades of her experience in guiding individuals towards their peak potential. It will provide for participants the opportunity to experience hypnotically informed strategies to enhance performance and creativity in their clients, whether in sports, on stage, in the arts or at work. Participants will experience the integration of organizational, coaching, sports and mind-body psychologies with hypnosis to help improve performance and creativity. They will learn performance enhancement processes that they can readily apply in their lives and work. 

References (for above summary) 

1. Mental health in elite athletes: International Olympic Committee consensus statement (2019) PMID: 31097450 DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2019-100715
   
2. (Rusak, et. al., 2021) Final Report - Breathing Through the Pandemic (ecu.edu.au)
   
3. 10 Public Figures Who Are Changing the Conversation About Mental Illness | Advocating for Better Mental Health (davidsusman.com)
   

Learning Goals

1. Describe at least 3 examples of how hypnotic techniques have been used to enhance performance or creativity. Examples will be drawn from sports, the arts or workplace settings.  

2. Describe at least two key components to a process-oriented approach to enhancing performance or creativity.

3. Describe at least three experiential exercises -- incorporating hypnosis -- that they can apply with individuals or groups in the process of enhancing performance or creativity. 

References: 

Bányai, É. I. (2018). Active-Alert Hypnosis: History, Research, and Applications. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 61(2), 88-107. DOI: 10.1080/00029157.2018.1496318

Howard, H. A. (2017). Promoting Safety in Hypnosis: A Clinical Instrument for the Assessment of Alertness. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 59(4), 344-362. DOI: 10.1080/00029157.2016.1203281. PMID: 28300508

Pates, J. (2013). The Effects of Hypnosis On An Elite Senior European Tour Golfer: A Single-Subject Design. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 61(2), 193-204. DOI: 10.1080/00207144.2013.753831

Unestahl, L.-E. (2018). Alert, Eyes-Open Sport Hypnosis. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 61(2), 159-172. DOI: 10.1080/00029157.2018.1491387

Milling, L. S. (2016). Enhancing Sports Performance With Hypnosis: An Ode for Tiger Woods. Psychology of Consciousness, 3(1), 45-60. DOI: 10.1037/cns0000055

Mattle, S., Birrer, D., & Elfering, A. (2020). Feasibility of Hypnosis on Performance in Air Rifle Shooting Competition. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 68(4), 521-529. DOI: 10.1080/00207144.2020.1799655

About the Presenter: 

Dana Lebo, Ph.D., is a psychologist based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. For close to 30 years, she has applied her extensive background in psychologies of performance, leadership, sports, and the mind and body to help hundreds of leaders, elite and retired professional athletes, teams, creative artists and individuals in organizations to improve and enhance their performance as well as their balance in work and life. As a grandmother, NY and Boston Marathoner and triathlete who in the past decade competed on the U.S. Triathlon Team at the Age Group World Championships in Auckland, New Zealand, Dr. Lebo has learned firsthand how to apply hypnosis to boost the performance of the older athlete!  

Dr. Lebo is President of the North Carolina Society of Clinical Hypnosis, an approved consultant and Board Member for the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis and founder of the Hypnotic Idea Exchange (HIE), a global community of clinicians using hypnosis in their work. She earned her Ph.D. in psychology from Columbia University and Master’s degrees from Columbia’s Teachers College and Georgetown University’s School of Graduate Studies. She authored the book,Ace the SAT Essay: How to Master the Writing Process, published by Zeig and Tucker, and contributed to the volume,Ericksonian Therapy Now: The Master Class With Jeffrey K. Zeig.

In addition to her private practice, Dr. Lebo works as a performance psychologist with the Brain and Body Health Team at the University of North Carolina, an executive coach with a leadership consulting firm, and trauma-informed psychologist with the UNC THRIVE program serving military veterans.

Date: January 12, 2025, 10am-1:10pm EST

Cost: $45 for Non Members; Registration fee included in Membership fees for NESCH Members in good standing.

At least 30 days notice is required for full refund.  There is a $30 cancellation fee for cancellations after December 13, 2024

Continuing Education: 

Psychologist: This event is approved by the Massachusetts Psychological Association (MPA), an organization approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to offer 3.0 Continuing Education credit for psychologists. 

Social Work: This event is approved by  the NASW-MA Chapter to offer 3.0 Continuing Education credits for social workers. NASW Authorization Number: D 92823-3 

Mental Health Counselors We have applied to  the Mass Mental Health Counselor Association to offer 3.0 Continuing Education credits for mental health counselors. Approval pending. 

ASCH: We have applied to ASCH to offer 3.0 ASCH continuing ed credits. Approval pending. 

Please note that attendance for the entire program is required to earn continuing education credit for this program. Partial credit is not available.

Questions? Email neschmsc@gmail.com