Integration of Mindfulness and Clinical Hypnosis

The Clinical Hypnosis Society of New Jersey is pleased to offer the next in the series of conversations based on the book, Introduction to Clinical Hypnosis: the basics and beyond, edited by Dr. Gary Elkins. 

Join us on Sunday,  April 19, 2026 as we welcome Nicholas Olendzki, PsyD and Liz Slonena, PsyD presenting the "Integration of Mindfulness and Clinical Hypnosis."  

This program will be held virtually on Zoom from 11AM to 1PM EDT.

The Clinical Conversations are free to members of ASCH, its component sections, SCEH, ESH, and ISH.  There is a $15 fee for nonmembers.  All proceeds go to fund the Stephen R. Lankton Scholarship Award.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Mindful Hypnosis is an evidence-based modality for integrating mindfulness and hypnosis into clinical and personal practice. Attendees of this experiential workshop will learn the core principles of mindfulness, the similarities and differences between meditation and hypnosis, understand the existing research supporting the effects of Mindful Hypnotherapy, and have an opportunity to experience a group Mindful Hypnosis meditation. Brief clinical vignettes and clinical anecdotes will be incorporated to ignite imagination and discussion. Practical strategies for integrating mindfulness-based inductions and suggestions into hypnosis and establishing a mindful self-hypnosis practice will be presented.

TIMED AGENDA

11:00-11:15 am: Welcome, Introductions, and the Foundations of Mindfulness - 15 minutes

11:15-11:55 am: Mindful Hypnosis: From Theory to Research to Practice - 40 minutes

●      Mindfulness and Hypnosis: Similarities and Differences

●      Theoretical Rationale

●      Overview of Research Findings to Date

●      Session-by-Session Mindful Hypnotherapy

11:55-12:10 pm: Group Demonstration - 15 minutes

12:10-12:30 pm: Small Group Practice (dyads/triads breakout groups) - 20 minutes

12:30-12:45 pm: Clinical Integration and Implementation - 15 minutes

●      Mindful Post-Hypnotic Inquiry

●      Goodness of Fit

●      Becoming a Mindful Hypnotherapist

●      Further Reading and Development

12:45-1pm: Discussion, Q&A, Integration - 15 minutes

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

 1) Describe two foundational principles for integrating mindfulness into hypnotherapy.  Olendzki, N., Elkins, G. R., Slonena, E., Hung, J., & Rhodes, J. R. (2020)

 2) Identify three ways that mindfulness and hypnotherapy traditionally diverge, and three ways they can converge.   Slonena, E. E., & Elkins, G. R. (2021)

 3) Define the eight sessions of Mindful Hypnotherapy as a manualized intervention, as well as the underlying principles that enable adaptation.   Padilla, V. J., Muñiz, V., Scheffrahn, K., & Elkins, G. (2026)

ABOUT THE PRESENTERS

Liz E. Slonena, PsyD, HSP-P, MSCP, CMIP, is a licensed psychologist, consultant, and sought-after speaker based in Asheville, North Carolina. Dr. Liz is the founder of Mindful Hypnosis Counseling & Consulting PLLC and co-creator of Mindful Hypnosis. Her specialties include adult ADHD, perfectionism, burnout, endometriosis, complex PTSD, and therapy for therapists and creative professionals.  Beyond her clinical practice, she fosters the next generation of clinical hypnotherapists through mentorship and education. Dr. Liz’s meditations have reached millions worldwide on her YouTube channel (Mindful Hypnosis with Dr. Liz) and on apps like InsightTimer, Aura, and BetterSleep. On social media (@dr.lizlistens), she demystifies hypnosis and trancework, creates mental health memes, and shares practical mind-body medicine tools to a global community.

Nicholas (“Nik”) Olendzki earned his Psy.D. from Baylor University in 2016, and is a licensed psychologist practicing full time at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth Counseling Center. In his role there, he also oversees the practicum training program and fosters growth in psychologists-in-training. Nik is the co-creator of Mindful Hypnotherapy and is co-author of Mindful Hypnotherapy: The Basics for Clinical Practice. In addition to mindfulness and hypnosis, he is also interested in anxiety, trauma, depression, and existential themes in therapy such as meaning and connectedness.