April 24th, 2026

Each of us carries millions of cells that continuously regulate, repair, and sustain the body—without conscious effort. In therapeutic hypnosis, this natural self-organizing intelligence can be accessed through metaphor and inner imagery. Using the cell as a guiding metaphor, this workshop explores how clients can experience internal processes of resilience, self-regulation, and boundary formation in a direct and embodied way. Rather than relying on explanation alone, trance allows these capacities to be felt and utilized. Drawing on clinical work, including applications with an Olympic athlete, this presentation illustrates how such metaphors can support performance, stability, and recovery under pressure. Through case examples and practical demonstration, participants will see how hypnotic work can strengthen self-efficacy and help clients move through complex situations with greater confidence.

Dr. Stella Nkenke is a Vienna-based physician and President of the German Milton Erickson Society for Clinical Hypnosis, Vice Chair of the International Society of Hypnosis, and board member of the European Society of Hypnosis. In her private practice, she specializes in medical hypnosis with a focus on complex pain syndromes, particularly Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), and works extensively with musicians and elite athletes. She supported an American athlete during the  2026 Winter Olympic Games on the path to a gold medal and continues to work with high-performance performers, including golfers and dressage riders. Stella also serves as the scientific lead of the postgraduate program in medical hypnosis at the Medical University of Vienna.