What is Hypnotherapy/Hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a state of profound relaxation and focus. It occurs naturally whenever we sit down to read an interesting book, watch a favorite program, or listen to catchy music. Sometimes we are "hypnotized" by the road while driving, or lulled into the state by a monotonous task. Hypnosis is not the same as sleep, and the person who is being hypnotized is always able to leave the hypnotic state if they feel uncomfortable. In truth, all hypnosis is self hypnosis, as it is a state that cannot be generated without some form of consent. Hypnosis works by helping a person bypass the critical factors of their conscious mind to access their subconscious mind, which is more able to accept and adapt to positive suggestions.

Hypnotherapy is a form of therapy that is recognized by the American Medical Association as effective for assisting people, through careful Hypnotic scripting, to improve their ability to manage stress and improve their general state of wellbeing. Since over 90% of disease is considered to be stress induced or exacerbated, Hypnosis can be a valuable addition to a person's journey to good health!

Can I be Hypnotized to do something I don't want to do?

The short answer is NO. Because the subconscious mind also contains a person's ethical structure and personal desires, Hypnosis cannot override that. People have this idea from watching Stage Hypnotists performing with audience volunteers, and watching the sometimes dramatic or humorous outcomes, it is understandable to think that the volunteers are acting outside their desires. The fact is, though, that they are volunteering to be Hypnotized, and that may be a large factor in understanding why an otherwise "shy" person, under Hypnosis, can find the courage to do such "outrageous" things! In general, despite the entertaining aspects, nothing truly dangerous or immoral is being done or suggested.

It's also important to note that Hypnosis is NOT brainwashing. Any credible Hypnotherapist will be glad to allow a client to read his/her scripts or tape their sessions. There are no secrets in the scripts, only carefully worded suggestions and affirmations geared towards the client's personal goals.

My family wants me to quit smoking. Will Hypnosis help?

The pivotal question here is, do YOU want to be a non-smoker? Hypnosis can reinforce and support a person's desire to discard unhealthy habits and establish healthy ones, but it probably won't help much if a person is only trying to please someone else, without really wanting to give up their habit. Remember, you can't make a person do what they don't want to do with Hypnosis.

However, if you are ready to be a non-smoker, Hypnosis is an easy and healthy method to do so! Most people who are ready to be non-smokers are able to be non-smokers after a single session!

OK. What about losing weight?

As we've mentioned before, the motivation a person has to change their habits plays a strong part in how successful they will be over the long term with any therapy, and that includes Hypnosis.  The desire for improved health and attractiveness can be powerful motivators in this area.  What weight loss hypnosis offers is a way to encourage the development of positive habits, such as a preference for healthy foods, adequate water intake, and pleasurable exercise.  In addition, Hypnosis can help the subconscious mind to stimulate the hormones necessary to increase the metabolism appropriately and reassign body mass, putting those curves in all the right places.

One of the best effects of Hypnosis in weight management is reinforcement of resolve, and another is improvement in self esteem regardless of body size.

How about my golf swing?

Sports performance is another common usage for Hypnosis.  It is well known that confidence, clarity and focus are valuable parts of achieving and improving physical performance.  With support from Hypnosis, a person can confirm their goals and will often exceed their initial expectations.  We know that Hypnosis will not make a person something that they are not (like a foot taller, for instance) but it can enhance a person's abilities to utilize their natural gifts and skills and enjoy both the training and the game more.

This is one of those areas that even children who are involved in sports can benefit from, since their internal motivation should be more important than external pressures for performance from peers, coaches or parents.  And in feeling more in charge of their game, they can transfer that feeling to the classroom and social situations.

I'm afraid of flying. Can Hypnosis help?

First off, let's define a phobia.  A phobia is an irrational, unreasonable fear.  A person who has a phobia may feel they have to do things to avoid the feared thing at all costs.  Fear is a natural response to a threat, and should not be completely suppressed, because it is a protective mechanism.  But unreasonable fears, or phobias, can and should be addressed to discover their motivation and release the sufferer from their grasp.

Hypnosis is an excellent method for addressing phobias of all kinds.  While the session may be focused towards a specific complaint or problem, suggestions will also be offered that will help the person clarify where these phobias arise from so that they might not have to deal with another phobia or protective behavior arising in place of the one that was eliminated.

I have a medical problem and Hypnosis has been suggested.
How can Hypnosis help my body heal?

Many Hypnotherapists choose to take advanced courses in order to provide Medical or Clinical Hypnotherapy.  In that way, they can address issues related to specific disorders or diagnoses with precise suggestions.

The body has enormous influence over the general function of the body.  More and more, science is catching up with what we have already suspected... that a person's mindset, attitude and thoughts can affect the way they feel and even their physical health.  Biofeedback is a method similar to Self Hypnosis that uses a machine to help a person learn skills for relaxing muscles, breathing more slowly and evenly, and reducing heart rate and blood pressure.  The same effects can be achieved in a Hypnosis session.

In addition, as the body relaxes, the natural processes of healing that the body is programmed with can work to repair and rejuvenate.  The mind can alter the production of hormones, enzymes and other body chemicals that help the body to process medications better, absorb food more efficiently, and enhance function of the body systems.  Often, a Hypnotherapist will ask their medical clients to have a physical exam before their initial session, and to approve consultation between their regular healthcare professional and the Hypnotherapist so that blood levels of medications can be properly monitored and changed as necessary.

There is a great connection between emotional, mental and energetic causations and the manifestation of dis-ease in the body.  Often, all it takes is for the subconscious mind to recognize the connection in order for it to stimulate the brain to begin the process of moving back to balance.  When we trust and understand the body's natural wisdom, we can utilize it to open new vistas of health and healing for ourselves.

Some physical disorders that Hypnosis is commonly used for include, but are not limited to:  asthma, chronic pain, hypertension, irritable bowels, hives, allergies, premenstrual syndrome and heartburn.  Hypnosis is also used for physical/emotional issues such as protracted grief, depression, anxiety, compulsive behaviors, hyperactivity, chronic fatigue and eating disorders.  Every disorder has a causation.  Once that is defined, Hypnosis can help by using that key to open the door to healing.

What is Hypnoanesthesia?

Many people choose to avoid conventional anesthesia during surgery or dental work, and some people have physical problems that preclude their being able to have conventional anesthesia.  Hypnoanesthesia is a method of using Hypnosis to convince the mind to block feeling in a certain area for a specified amount of time in order for a procedure to be done.  Pain, like fear, is a natural defense mechanism, and should never be permanently blocked, because that could lead to injury.  But pain management and anesthesia are useful in helping a person to be calm and heal more rapidly without the tension associated with pain or anticipation of pain.

Some of the benefits of Hypnoanesthesia are that there is no possibility of allergic reaction, residual effects or  'hangover' from medication.

Hypnoanesthesia can be administered by a Hypnotherapist immediately before a procedure, or earlier, with the client given a set of cues or words they can use to initiate and reinforce the suggestions made during Hypnosis.  By using a keyword, mental image or a simple gesture, the person can return to the anesthetic state at will.  This should, of course, be used prudently, for the reasons stated above.

What is Hypnobirthing?

Hypnobirthing contains many elements of support for both mother and child during the pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum.  Generally, Hypnobirthing is considered a 'natural' birthing method, and utilizes methods of performance Hypnosis as well as Hypnoanesthesia to allow the mother to stay awake, alert and clear, yet relaxed and experiencing minimal discomfort during the birth experience.

In order to be fully effective, Hypnobirthing should be initiated before delivery, so that the mother is familiar with her cues and expectations.  Hypnosis during pregnancy is also useful to help the mother maintain homeostasis during a time that is potentially stressful and taxing on her system, increasing her ability to consume and absorb nutrients, get proper rest and fluids, and minimize swelling, hypertension and other discomforts as her body adjusts posturally, emotionally and physically.
 

What is NLP?

NLP is Neurolinguistic Programming.  It is a method of approaching the way we speak, write, hear and read words so that our meaning is communicated properly and in a positive manner.  There are some basic principles of NLP that are utilized in forming suggestions in Hypnosis, as well as affirmations.  For instance, the brain tends to ignore the words 'no' or 'not' and other negative terms, and so the statement, "Do not do that" may be interpreted by the brain as "Do do that".  A more therapeutic way of suggesting is to form the statement in an attractive way, rather than as a negative instruction.

Rather than saying, "You will not smoke any more cigarettes" (which might be interpreted by the brain as "You will smoke more cigarettes") the therapist might choose to say, "You are smoke free" or "You are free of cigarettes now and always."

What are Affirmations, and how do I use them?

We've touched a bit on affirmations in the comments above on NLP.  Affirmations are affirming statements that endorse a particular positive belief.  They can be used within Hypnosis as suggestions, or alone as a method of reinforcement for any condition or state a person would like to manifest for themselves.

It is useful to find a good book on affirmations, or consult with someone who has experience in composing affirmations, to help you in their development, so that you can be sure that you are affirming what you really want, in the clearest way possible for your mind, that you resonate with and feel comfortable saying.  Affirmations are usually concise and direct and should always be framed positively.

A good affirmation is:  I am happier and healthier every day.
A poor affirmation is:  I am less sick and tired every day.

This is a simple example, but it is clear that the words you use in an affirmation are as important as the sentiment, which is the same in both statements but 'feels' different.