JOHN GRUZELIER
Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London, UK

ANTONELLI, LUCHETTI, MIRROR NEURONS AND EMPATHY: PROPOSAL OF A NOVEL PARADIGM FOR HYPNOSIS

EDITORIAL COMMENTARY (extract)

... In a theoretical report Antonelli and Luchetti (2010) continue the fascination of the implications of mirror neurons for psychotherapy, see also Balugani and Ducci (2010) in this Journal. Mirror neurons are pre-motor neurons that both monitor the execution of actions and monitor the actions of others. Here Antonelli and Luchetti consider relations between mirror neurons, hypnosis, and empathy (Gallese, 2007), with implications for the behaviour of the therapist in the therapeutic alliance. The focus on the interactive synchrony between patient and therapist is an issue which has received much attention in Contemporary Hypnosis through the pioneering experimental work of Eva Banyai, S. Varga, and colleagues in Budapest (Banyai,1998; Varga et al., 2006, 2008; Varga & Varga, 2009), providing an evidence base for theoretical speculation. Antonelli and Luchetti embed their application within Ericksonian hypnosis (Erickson, 1989) with particular concern for the therapist's respect and acceptance of the patient's nature.

Copyright © 2010
British Society of Clinical and Academic Hypnosis
27:1- 4 (2010) Published by Crown House Publishing Ltd

"Accepting the nature of the patient, who is not required to change or assimilate a new neurobiological programming. Thus, the therapy is tailored to the patient's measure. In this regard, empathy is already a form of therapy, similar to hypnosis. True empathy, in the therapeutic sense, requires strict authenticity in its interven¬tions (genuineness, honesty, sincerity), and, when used with awareness, is a practice which allows one to fully grasp the presence of another's state of mind and to establish contact. The observation of observation allows practitioners to identify and differentiate themselves to maintain their own identity. It requires the overcoming of narcissism. In contrast, the mirror neuron system could explain why behaviors on the part of practitioners such as commiseration, consoling, encouragement or stimulation, reassuring or an unfeeling positive redefinition of the complaint are unhelpful for the purpose of therapy, if not frankly harmful, when they are artificial." ...

L'articolo citato è protetto da Copyright ©, i colleghi interessati possono farne richiesta agli autori:

- Email: Antonelli Carlo (antonelli@ipnosiedolore.it)

- Correspondence to Dr Marco Luchetti, S.C. Anestesia e Rianimazione 1, A.O. Ospedale A.
Manzoni, Via dell’Eremo, 9/11, 23900 Lecco, Italy
Email: Marco Luchetti (m.luchetti@fastwebnet.it or m.luchetti@ospedale.lecco.it)
Phone: +39 0341 489984
Fax: +39 0341 489983