Hypnosystemic Therapy
What is hypnosystemic therapy—and how does it help?
Hypnosystemic therapy combines systemic therapy with concepts from modern hypnotherapy. Developed by Gunther Schmidt in the 1980s (Heidelberg School), this approach expands the therapeutic perspective: beyond looking at what happens between people, it focuses on what occurs within an individual’s psyche. Gunther Schmidt critiques a purely deficit-oriented view of problems and symptoms. In his view, symptoms point to important individual needs and competencies. Rather than simply trying to “solve away” problems, he advocates for honoring them and dealing with them constructively.
From Problem Trance to Solution Trance
A central focal point in hypnosystemic therapy is where an individual or system directs their attention. In this context, Gunther Schmidt coined the term solution trance. This serves as the counterpart to a problem trance—an unconscious narrowing of one’s own scope of action. His goal is to guide people away from a deficit-oriented focus and toward a potential solution trance. A solution trance can be understood similarly to a flow state: attention is consciously focused on an experience linked to positive associations.
Using the Body as a Resource Storehouse
In contrast to pure systemic therapy, the hypnosystemic approach explicitly incorporates the body into the process. The body stores a wide variety of feelings and memories of different ego states. These varied experiential states can be harnessed during therapy. By focusing on past success experiences, clients can feel their individual resources become tangible once again. These resources can then be applied to current challenges. The ultimate goal of this therapeutic approach is to expand your perceived room for maneuver and sense of personal freedom.
Good to know: “Hypno” here does not refer to classical hypnosis intended to induce a deep trance. Instead, it means integrating imaginative and body-oriented elements into talk therapy. Rather than relying solely on cognitive methods, this approach prioritizes accessing intuitive experience processes and recalling a “resource-ego.”
Case Study: Overcoming Anxiety and Self-Doubt
Initial Situation: Ms. K. (38, department manager) has suffered from severe anxiety during key presentations for months. She reports a racing heart, shallow breathing, and a feeling of being “paralyzed.” At the same time, an opportunity for a promotion has come up that she doesn’t want to miss—yet fear is holding her back. She feels caught in a loop, plagued by loud self-doubt.
The Therapeutic Process
Honoring Ambivalence: Part A wants to advance her career and take on more responsibility. Part B fears failure. Both parts are honored from a hypnosystemic perspective: the fearful part is not viewed as an enemy, but as a protective mechanism intended to guard Ms. K. against potential overwhelm.
Activating the Resource-Ego & Establishing a Somatic Anchor: Ms. K. recalls a difficult performance review that she handled successfully. She tunes into the physical sensations from that moment—an upright posture, calm breathing—and anchors this sense of competence with a subtle hand gesture.
Integrating Inner Parts: In a later session, both parts are positioned in the room. Ms. K. realizes that both sides have positive intentions. From this, she develops a new inner mindset: “I am allowed to challenge myself—and I am allowed to ask for support.”
Outcome: After eight weeks, Ms. K. applies for the promotion. Her anxiety has not vanished completely, but it now serves as a valuable signal to switch into her resource state via her somatic anchor when needed.