Semihypnotic Visualization: Treating Internalized Homophobia in Sexual and Gender Minorities

Type of Contribution: Activity. Objective: The goal of this activity is to create an environment for exploration and healing of internalized homophobia. Rationale for Use: Homophobia is a cultural phenomenon that begins in elementary school and is manifested predominantly among boys (Plummer, 1999). Behaviors associated with homophobia at this age are name calling, aggressiveness, and other stigmatizing gestures such as joking, socially isolating individuals seen to be different, and violence (Plummer, 1999). Plummer (1999) suggests that although homophobic behaviors tend to taper off during the mid to late teen years, the power of internalized socialization remains. As such, homophobia is said to pervade mainstream society, but is most felt by gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people. Semihypnotic visualization is suggested as a way to begin defusing the damage done by homophobia and to begin the healing process. Semihypnotic visualization for internalized homophobia is a strategy developed in part by the application of principles from clinical hypnosis (Erickson and Rossi, 1979; Rossi and Ryan, 1985) and neurolinguistic programming (Dilts, 1976, 1980). Visualization has long been a favored exercise for stress reduction, self-esteem building, and creativity enhancement (Andreas and Andreas, 1987, 1994). Use of visualization in therapy is a dynamic tool, as many clients will use their visual sense system along with auditory and kinetic systems in the midst of the communication process (Rossi, 1986).