2026 Rosenthal Retreat

Becoming More Hypnotic:
Refining and Mastering Advanced Clinical Skills
for Trance, Resistance, and Change

Akira Otani, EdD., FASCH, ABPH

November 1, 2026
9:00 AM – 4:30 PM CST
Online via Zoom

Please join the Minnesota Society of Clinical Hypnosis in welcoming Akira Otani Ed.D., FASCH, ABPH for our 31st Annual Rosenthal Retreat/Workshop via Zoom on Sunday November 1, 2026. Join us as we learn about Becoming More Hypnotic: Refining and Mastering Advanced Clinical Skills for Trance, Resistance, and Change.

This presentation will be recorded and available for 4 weeks after the presentation

This MN Society of Clinical Hypnosis conference is designed to meet continuing education requirements for many clinical disciplines. We are requesting CE approval from the following boards and organization:

MN Board of Marriage & Family Therapy
MN Board of Psychology
MN Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy (LPC & LPCC)
American Society of Clinical Hypnosis

Professionals in other related clinical disciplines, as well as those working outside of Minnesota can submit CE certificates to their corresponding boards for independent approval. Actual CE amounts will be dependent upon your specific licensure board and attendance.

Date	November 1, 2026
Time	9 AM – 4:30 PM CST
Location	ZOOM
CEUs	6
MSCH Member Cost	$85
ASCH Component/ASCH Member Cost	$100
Non-Member Cost	$125

Description

This workshop is intended for clinicians and practitioners seeking to deepen their proficiency in hypnotic elicitation and utilization within their everyday clinical work. The session has three primary objectives. First, it examines frequently overlooked clinical variables—observation, pacing, and the strategic use of language—that may compromise trance development, and offers practical methods for strengthening these foundational skills. Second, it considers the identification and management of resistance in trance work, drawing on broader theoretical models and translating them into clinical interventions for both hypnotic induction and psychotherapy. Third, it introduces more advanced approaches–including therapeutic metaphor, interspersal techniques, and the art of “being hypnotic” rather than simply “doing hypnosis.” Drawing on more than four decades of clinical experience, Dr. Otani will also share practice-based insights that go well beyond standard procedural instruction. The workshop will blend didactic presentation, live demonstration, and small-group experiential practice to build both conceptual understanding and clinical skills.

Agenda

Part I: Review and Refinement of Hypnotic Skills
9 – 9:10 AM	Introduction to Part I — presenter and participants
9:10 – 9:30 AM	The elements of skillful hypnotic induction
9:30 – 10:00 AM	The basic process and tools of hypnotic induction
10:00 – 10:20 AM	Small group practice of observation
10:20 – 10:30 AM	Review of the observation practice
10:30 – 10:45 PM	The “Trade Secrets”
10:45 – 11:00 AM	Demonstration I
11:00 – 11:10 AM	Q&A
11:10 – 11:20 AM	Break
Part II: Identification and Management of Resistance
11:20 – 12:00 PM	The nature of resistance in general clinical work
12:00 – 1:00 PM	Lunch
1:00 – 2:00 PM	Resistance in the context of hypnotic induction and hypnotherapy
2:00 – 2:40 PM	Resolving resistance in hypnosis
2:40 – 3:00 PM	Demonstration II
3:00 – 3:10 PM	Break
Part III: Mastering Advanced Techniques and Becoming Hypnotic
3:10 – 3:20 PM	Defining the concept of “advanced techniques”
3:20 – 3:30 PM	“Difficult” to master advanced techniques
3:30 – 4:00 PM	“Highly Developed” advanced techniques
4:00 – 4:15 PM	Becoming “hypnotic” rather than “doing hypnosis”
4:15 – 4:30 PM	Q&A

Objectives

Identify at least three clinical variables—such as observation, pacing, and strategic language use—that can influence the development of hypnotic trance.
Acquire the three selected methods for strengthening foundational hypnotic induction skills through observation, pacing, and intentional language use.
Describe two theoretical models of client resistance and explain how they apply to hypnotic induction and psychotherapy.
Select and acquire one clinically appropriate intervention for managing resistance during trance work and related therapeutic encounters.
Apply one of the advanced hypnotic approaches, including therapeutic metaphor and interspersal techniques, in structured clinical practice exercises.
Differentiate between “doing hypnosis” as a set of procedures and “being hypnotic” as an integrated clinical stance.
Practice at least one hypnotic induction or utilization strategy during experiential exercises and receive feedback on its clinical application.

Biography

Akira Otani is a licensed psychologist at Waypoint Wellness Center in Maryland, where he maintains a part-time private practice. Before entering private practice in 2008, he served on the graduate faculty at The Johns Hopkins University School of Education (1986–1988) and later as Senior Staff Psychologist at the University of Maryland Counseling Center (1988–2008). A seasoned generalist, Akira has a particular clinical interest in anxiety disorders, including OCD and PTSD.

He integrates hypnosis into his clinical work and remains actively involved in both the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH) and the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis (SCEH). Akira is a Fellow and Approved Consultant of ASCH and holds Diplomate status with the American Board of Psychological Hypnosis (ABPH). In recognition of his teaching, he received the ASCH Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching. In recent years, he has also developed a strong interest in Buddhist meditation and its integration with clinical hypnosis. Akira is the author of eight books in Japanese and more than 70 journal articles and book chapters published in English and Japanese.

Outside of his professional work, he enjoys spending time with close friends, exploring spicy food, and being around dogs.

Registration (Closes at 5 PM CST on October 30, 2026)

If you are a member of MSCH and do not see the member registration below, please log in or renew your membership. If you have logged in and do not see the member price below, please refresh your browser (reload the page). After you have entered information on the registration below, you will be redirected to a page where you will be able to enter your credit card information.

Be sure that you add deb@msch.us to your email contact list to ensure that you receive all workshop notifications!

2026 MSCH Rosenthal Workshop with Akira Otani, EdD., FASCH, ABPH

Register now for the Minnesota Society of Clinical Hypnosis Rosenthal Workshop on November 1, 2026 with Akira Otani, EdD., FASCH, ABPH.

Facebook

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Registration Information

Workshop Prerequisite: Completion of a Level I clinical hypnosis training through the Minnesota Society of Clinical Hypnosis (MSCH), Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis (SCEH), American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH), or an equivalent training offered by another recognized clinical hypnosis organization.

Name(Required)

First Last

Email(Required)

Be sure to add deb@msch.us to your email contact list to ensure you receive all emails and handouts for this workshop!

Phone(Required)

Address(Required)

City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Degree/License(Required)

By checking a box below I assert I am a:(Required)

STUDENTS please email documentation of student status (student ID, student bill, etc) to deb@msch.us

LICENSED OR REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL with a Masters Degree or higher in a health care discipline

LICENSED OR REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL with a B.A., B.S., B.N. or equivalent and which is directly related to their field of practice; that is a terminal degree for their area of licensure and is practicing in the field of nursing, acupuncture, physician assistant, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, pastoral care, chemical dependency treatment, or in a similar health care field

STUDENT ENTROLLED IN A HEALTH CARE DISCIPLINE PROGRAM as described above

I am a(Required)

Member of MSCH ($85)

Member of ASCH or a component section ($100)

Non Member ($120)

Where did you hear about this training?(Required)

Payment

When you have chosen your member status (above) you will see registration information appear below. After you have clicked the “Continue to Payment” button you will see a pop-up box in which you can enter your payment.

MSCH Member Payment(Required)

Price:

ASCH Member or Component Section Payment(Required)

Price:

Non-Member Payment(Required)

Price:

[/mepr-hide]