What is hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a state of deep
relaxation, calmness, and focused inner awareness. It is a time when you can
experience feeling deeply relaxed and simultaneously have a sense of intense
inner focus. During this time of increased inner focus you may also have a
greater ability to access information. This helps you find ways to achieve
your desired goals while you are experiencing hypnosis. This state of deep
relaxation and inner focus is often called a trance.
What happens during hypnosis?
During the hypnosis process I will talk to you about any variety of
things, all meant to calm and relax you. When you begin to notice this calm
state I will then begin to focus on the issue you are trying to change. This
can be done in any variety of ways, often by the use of either imagery
and/or suggestion. This allows the change process to begin to happen from
within yourself. The use of imagery allows you to see change happening. As
for the suggestions, as long as these suggestions are acceptable and
compatible with what you desire this can increase the change process during
the hypnotic trance state.
What are the myths regarding hypnosis?
It has been commonly assumed hypnosis will make you do something against
your will. The most common example is the person who quacks like a duck
while up on a stage after volunteering for a "stage hypnotherapist". Another
myth is that you will be controlled by the therapist and asked to do
something against your will while in a trance. Or that hypnosis can make you
do something just by suggestion like stop smoking when you really have limited to no real desire to stop smoking.
In the first example it is important to
understand that stage hypnotherapists screen their participants for
individuals who are cooperative and are willing to do these odd behaviors,
if you are not willing then you won't quack like a duck. It is also
important to remember that hypnosis is not able to take a your will and
control away from you, if you don't want to do what is suggested—then
you won't do it. It can help you achieve and find ways to accomplish a
change in a habit such as stopping smoking when you have a desire to stop.
However it can't make you stop if you don't really desire to stop.. It generally does not take all the urges to smoke away though hypnosis
can help you deal with the urges more effectively.
Another myth
is that you will be “out or put under” and not know what happens during the
trance. Remember, hypnosis is a state of deep relaxation and inner focus,
generally you will be feeling deeply relaxed and able to let the worries of
the day go during this time. You will be focusing on your thoughts and
feelings and will most likely remember most if not all of what you are
experiencing during this time.
Can everyone be hypnotized?
Most everyone has some ability to respond to hypnosis. The degree to which
a person can be hypnotized can be affected not only by their fears but also
their resistance. If a individual goes into a session and has
the intent to not let themselves be hypnotized then the
effectiveness can be diminished. Hypnosis makes accepting suggestions for
change easier--it does not force it on someone. The more motivated you are
the more likely it will be effective.
What are the uses of hypnosis?
Hypnosis can be used to help with any number of issues: pain management,
stress reduction, habit control such as smoking cessation, weight
management, reducing/stopping snoring, increasing healthy behaviors such as
exercise. It is noted that hypnosis may not be useful for all psychological
/medical problems nor is it for every person. The use of hypnosis needs to
be evaluated by a qualified therapist who has been trained in its use.