In their journey through life, most people are looking for happiness. Definitions of happiness and the concepts of a pleasant, good, meaningful, and a full life are reviewed. Next, Seligman's (2002) concept of "authentic happiness" and a happiness formula, S+C+V (Set + Circumstances + Variables), are discussed. An integration of happiness, as a goal, and hypnosis, as a facilitative approach, are presented. Hypnotic techniques with case examples are given. Hypnosis is presented as an efficient companion intervention to work on these variables in a creative way and to pave the way to a happy and full life. The following results are presented: (1) hypnosis allows for increased executive attention with control of emotions, (2) focusing on positive imagery contributes to strengthening "happy pathways," and (3) emotions about the past, present, and future are subject to change.

Am J Clin Hypn. 2014 Jan;56(3):269-84. Ruysschaert N.

OBJECTIVE: The main objective was to explore the influence of interviewer behavior-abrupt versus friendly-and the age of participants on interrogative suggestibility. METHOD: The study involved 42 young adults and 50 elderly participants. The Gudjonsson Suggestibility Scale 2 was used. Data analysis involved a 2-factor between-subjects design (interviewer behavior × age) and mediation analysis. RESULTS: The scores of elderly participants were significantly lower than younger adults on memory indices and significantly higher on some suggestibility indexes. Some suggestibility indices in the abrupt experimental condition were higher than those in the friendly experimental condition. Elderly participants who were interviewed under the abrupt condition were more likely to change their answers after receiving negative feedback than younger adults. Memory quality was a mediator of the relationship between age and the tendency to yield to suggestive questions. Self-appraisal of memory was a mediator between both age and interviewer behavior and the tendency to change answers after negative feedback. DISCUSSION: Mechanisms of the relationship between age, interviewer behavior, and suggestibility are discussed on the basis of the mediational analyses. The findings suggest that a friendly manner should be adopted when interrogating witnesses.

J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2014 May;69(3):348-55. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbt023. Dukala K(1), Polczyk R. Author information: (1)Correspondence should be addressed to Karolina Dukala, Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Al. Mickiewicza 3, 31-120 Cracow, Poland. E-mail: karolina.dukala@uj.edu.pl.

More and more licensed professional counselors are providing counseling services in a clients home. This is fully discussed in an article, which appeared today in Counseling Today The article is by James Todd McGahey, who is a LPC and assistant professor at Jacksonville State University, located in Jacksonville, Alabama. (Incidentally, this university is nearby our headquarters in Anniston, Alabama. Also, we have conducted several courses on behalf of the schools continuing education department.)

The article includes very valuable information concerning the pros and cons of conducting in-home counseling services. We particularly liked the analysis of several of the problems, which may occur, and possible solutions.

Full article