The Wizard of Oz metaphor in hypnosis with treatment-resistant children

This article describes a general approach entitled Wizard of Oz hypnotherapy for use with 8- to 13-year-old children who are generally difficult to treat because of their intermittent inattentive, impulsive, and oppositional characteristics. We have utilized this approach as an adjunct to cognitive-behavioral therapy individually and within a small group format. The Wizard of Oz metaphor is integrated into a hypnotherapy approach designed to facilitate personal problem-solving, improve self-regulation skills, and enhance self-esteem/efficacy. As an adjunct to cognitive-behavioral therapy, this procedure improves the therapeutic alliance, heightens young clients' interest in therapy procedures, and improves overall cooperation with treatment. The therapeutic and hypnotic characteristics that may contribute to this technique's effectiveness are discussed.