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University of the Rockies, a leading graduate school focusing on the social and behavioral sciences, is proud to announce core faculty member Dr. Ian Wickramasekera II has won the Clark L. Hull Award for Scientific Excellence in Writing on Experimental Hypnosis from the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH). Written in 2014, Dr. Wickramasekera’s paper, titled “Mysteries of Hypnosis and the Self Are Revealed by the Psychology and Neuroscience of Empathy,” focuses on the growing body of research and theory in hypnosis and neuroscience that supports the empathic involvement theory of hypnosis.

“I am honored to receive this award from the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. ASCH is our country’s largest society of hypnosis with very high standards of science, medicine, psychotherapy, and ethical training for its members. The Clark Hull award is the highest scientific honor that a hypnosis paper can earn from the ASCH,” said Dr. Wickramasekera. “As it happens, this particular paper was a summary of about 15 years of research that I have done with my students. Mostly, these projects were all about how processes of empathy may help explain how people can become hypnotized. So really, I should accept the award on behalf of my students as well myself. It would have been impossible for me to have written this paper without the benefit of the excellent work of my students. I am deeply indebted to these excellent students such as Dr. Anissa Rivers, Dr. Oriya-Ran, Dr. Erick Arguello, Dr. John Sokol, and so many others who have joined me in pursuing my empathy and hypnosis related research.”

The Clark L. Hull Award is given to the authors of an article that reports on a creatively conceived, carefully controlled, and clearly-described experimental work. The article will be cited in years to come and is available online from the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00029157.2014.978495#.VSg3O2Pqp-I.

About University of the Rockies

University of the Rockies is a leading graduate school of the social and behavioral sciences that offers programs for students seeking their PhD, PsyD, or Master of Arts degree. Students may take classes at a state-of-the-art instructional site in downtown Denver, Colo., or work toward degrees online from anywhere in the country. Whether face-to-face or online, University of the Rockies students enjoy the same access to industry professionals, research, and publishing opportunities. For more information, please visit www.rockies.edu/, www.facebook.com/UniversityoftheRockies, www.twitter.com/URockies, or call Shari Winet, Vice President of Public Relations, at 866.621.0124 x2513.

About the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis

The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis is the largest U.S. organization for health and mental health care professionals using clinical hypnosis. Founded by Milton H. Erickson, MD in 1957, ASCH promotes greater acceptance of hypnosis as a clinical tool with broad applications. Today, ASCH offers professional hypnosis training workshops, certification, and networking opportunities that can enhance both professional and personal lives. http://www.asch.net/Home.aspx.