What is hypnosis
and what is it not?
There are a lot of
misconceptions about hypnosis, but hypnosis is not a loss of
consciousness. It is not sleep, not a truth drug and it is not
entrapment.
Hypnosis is a very
effective method of communicating with the subconscious mind. The
client is guided through an induction to reach a very relaxed
state of body and mind. Some clients enjoy using a Light and Sound Device to reach deeper levels more easily. During hypnosis, the brain waves usually reach the alpha state(for more information on brain waves see Light and Sound Device ). In this state it is easier to focus on one’s inner world, to
get in touch with suppressed emotions and to think, reason and
problem solve with clarity. The client remains alert and aware
and is able to communicate with the hypnotherapist. During hypnosis
the client is in a state of heightened awareness and focused
attention - the opposite of sleep.
After a hypnosis session
the majority of clients remember everything that happened during
the session.
You can not get stuck in hypnosis. You may fall asleep during the hypnosis but if that
should happen you will just go into a natural sleep and wake up
as if from a pleasant nap.
Hypnosis is not
gullibility or weak-mindedness. Every "normal" person
is hypnotizable. The only exceptions are: children under four,
people with certain mental disorders, (such as psychotics and
paranoids) and people with an IQ under 70. The higher the IQ, the
better the subject is for hypnosis. Children with wonderful
imaginations tend to respond easily to hypnosis.
Hypnosis is not habit
forming no matter how many times you are hypnotized.
It is not a loss of
control or a manipulation of your mind. In hypnosis you are
always in control. You have control of your will power, your
power of selectivity and all your senses. You can choose which
information you want to share with the hypnotherapist. You will
not unwillingly reveal you innermost secrets. The therapist can
never make you do anything against your will, ethics or morals.
Hypnosis is not magic like
the stage shows imply.
Stage hypnotists are
entertainers and they are masters at choosing people who are
willing and able to develop a trance suitable for the stage and
who have the desire (consciously or unconsciously) to be on the
stage. They choose the most willing individuals in the audience
and by the time they reach the stage they have already committed
to becoming part of the act. Remember that they can always choose
to not perform but usually get caught up in the "party"
atmosphere and afterwards can always claim that the hypnotist was
responsible for their actions.
How does hypnosis
work?
In our normal waking
awareness, the part of the mind that we call the critical faculty
acts as the protector of all the memories, habits, etc. that we
have programmed in our subconscious and will not let anything
bypass easily. In the hypnotic state we are able to bypass the
critical faculty of the mind and let the subconscious absorb new,
better and more positive habits and programs. These new habits
and programs are introduced by imagery and suggestions to the
subconscious. This does not mean that the subconscious will
accept everything. It is still discerning and will only accept
suggestions that are in line with our personal values, morals and
code of behavior. We will only accept the suggestions that are
good for us.
When bypassing the
critical faculty we are also able to more easily connect with
traumas, repressed memories and emotions.
The hypnotherapist always
acts as a guide and facilitator who, with the client’s
permission, helps the client become more focused on and
discriminating in his/her available choices and desirable
changes.
Self-Hypnosis
Self-Hypnosis is an
important part of any hypnotherapy treatment. Daily sessions are
of the greatest value. A self-hypnosis session can last from 5 to
30 minutes. There are several techniques that can be used for
self-hypnosis. These techniques can be accomplished either with
or without listening to self-hypnosis recordings.
All hypnosis can be
considered self-hypnosis since the hypnotherapist is only a guide
and it is the client who willingly follows the instructions and
induces the hypnotic state. At any time the client can refuse to
follow the instructions and end the session.
History of
Hypnosis
Hypnosis has been traced
back as far as 3,000 B.C. In Egypt, hieroglyphs found on tombs of
that time show that hypnotism was being used. Around the 5th and
4th century B.C. it also has been noted that something similar to
hypnosis was used in Rome, Egypt and Greece.
Probably the most famous
name in the history of hypnosis is Frans Anton Mesmer (1734-1815)
from whose name the word "mesmerize" is derived. Mesmer
was a Viennese physician who treated his patients with
"magnetism" and was the first man to explain
scientifically what he was doing.
James Braid (1795-1869)
was a Scottish surgeon who is referred to as the Father of
Hypnosis. He demonstrated that "magnetism" treatments
were based on subjective and suggestive elements and he coined
the term hypnosis.
Many other names have been
important in the history of hypnosis. Among them are Dr. Sigmund
Freud (1856-1939) and the most influential hypnotherapist of our
time, Dr. Milton Erickson (1902-1980).
Today there are many
different kinds of hypnosis such as Clinical Hypnotherapy,
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Transpersonal
Hypnotherapy.
Hypnosis at Healing Change
At Healing Change,
Transpersonal Hypnotherapy and Integrated Hypnotherapy are used.
These are based on the concept that all healing comes from a
realization of one’s connection to a personal Source of
Empowerment.
What can
Hypnotherapy be used for?
Hypnotherapy can be used
in many areas such as:
- Pain Management
- Stress Reduction
- Relaxation
- Smoking Cessation
- Weight and Body Image
Issues
- Insomnia
- Access Creativity
- Test Anxiety
- Performance Anxiety
- Parts
(sub-personalities) Dialogue
- Connecting with Inner Child
- Age Regression
- Past Life Regression
- Behavior Changes
- Increase Self-Esteem
- Self-Empowerment
- Finding Your Inner Wisdom/Higher Self
- Improve Performance
- Teach Self-Hypnosis
