What is Hypnotherapy?

It is considered the domain of witches, faith healers and stage shows!  The truth is that hypnosis is not the least bit mysterious or supernatural.

You and I have often been in a hypnotic state, but were not aware of it because it is such a natural state of mind.  The hypnotic state is natural for all humans and for many animals.

Hypnosis is a natural phenomenon, which you are all familiar with, although you may not realise it.  Have you ever found yourself:

• Staring into space daydreaming?

• Getting so involved in something that you forget the time?

• Feeling that the monotony of something is making you drowsy?

• Getting so absorbed in a book you are reading or a TV programme that you are watching, that you do not hear if someone speaks to you?

Hypnosis is a state of altered, heightened awareness with a concentrated attention that screens out all other sensory stimuli as it focuses with increased receptives.

Dr Herbert Spiegel, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Columbia, describes hypnosis:

“On the scale of human awareness, hypnosis is at the opposite end from coma, with ordinary consciousness in the middle.  Trance is an intensely focused and concentrated ribbon of attention that screens out external stimuli.”

Melvin Powers, a celebrated American hypnotist conducting research over many years states:

“Another misconception about hypnosis is the widely held belief that the subject is unconscious.  This represents a threat to the security of the individual.  Actually, the hypnotic state is a period of extreme awareness in which the subject is hyperacute.  The subject is not asleep, nor is he in a trance state of awareness with his faculties and reasoning intact.  Inducing hypnosis merely creates a mood or state in which the powers of suggestibility are heightened.”

I am regularly asked about hypnotherapy, so I thought I would answer a few of the most common questions here in my blog.

Is hypnotherapy safe? Will I be forced to do something again my will?

One of the objections that you hear to hypnosis is that it can be dangerous. Fortunately, this is not valid.  I have personally instructed several thousand medical and non-medical individuals and have yet to hear of a single case where anything dangerous or detrimental nature occurred as a result of hypnosis.  I have also taught several thousand persons self-hypnosis and can report the same findings.

You can never get stuck in hypnosis, however the chances are that you will want to stay in that relaxed state just because it’s a pleasant feeling. You cannot be made to say or do anything you don’t want to.  You have total control of your words and actions throughout the entire treatment. It is understandable that many people think otherwise, because of the myths that are perpetuated through ‘stage hypnosis’. What you must realise is in a live show, certain willing people are chosen because they are very hypnotisable and they want that experience of being made to perform certain antics, and will allow their mind to be convinced to do so.

Is hypnosis sleep?

Hypnosis is not sleep.  Nor is it an unconscious stupor or coma of any kind. You certainly do not lose any consciousness at all during hypnotherapy.  You are fully awake and alert, but mentally and physically relaxed.  You are able to focus your attention on new ideas and self-suggestions.

During hypnosis, your conscious mind (which is the part that remembers your shopping lists, tells you to be worried about work, or solves maths problems) is relaxed. This mean that your subconscious mind (where your imagination, emotions, habits and patterns lie) can be accessed. The hypnotic state is likened, by some, to a concentrated form of daydreaming.

Who can be hypnotised?

All human beings have natural ability to enter a hypnotic state.  Many people claim that they can not be hypnotised, but they do admit to having drifted off whilst thinking about a loved one, forgetting large chunks of a car journey (commonly known as highway hypnosis), or ‘going somewhere else’ while reading a book. These are all examples of natural trance states.

Ability to be hypnotised can vary from one person to another, so some will respond better than others to certain techniques, and some need more practice but everyone does have the natural ability. Severe mental handicap is the one exception may remove this ability and of course a desire NOT to be hypnotised will also render the hypnotic state impossible.

Ninety percent of all people can go into a hypnotic trance (simply observe the dancers on a disco dance floor  for example!).  It takes both imagination and a willingness to accept suggestions.  The best subject for hypnosis, is a person who has a definite reason or motivation for wanting to be hypnotised. The ability to be hypnotised successfully lies within yourself.

Gwen

Become a Hypnotherapist!

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Imagine being able to enlist your subconcious to achieve your dreams! Clinical Hypnotherapists can earn over $65,000 p.a. within two  years of setting up their practice. Best of all you could be doing some truly wonderful with your skills. You could help someone stop destructive behaviour such as smoking or overeating, to motivate them, to give them coping strategies for killer stress or whatever else your clients need.

Click to learn more about clinical hypnotherapy.

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