What is it?
Therapy or help using hypnosis.
What is hypnosis?
An altered conscious state of awareness which can be profoundly relaxing and causes you to be more suggestible.
How is it reached?
A trance like state is reached naturally in a variety of ways. Watching TV., jogging, while you wake up and just as you fall asleep. Sitting in boring meetings- (I'm sure you've all experienced that one!). It can also be reached by using relaxing suggestions repeated in a monotonous repetitive and rhythmical way.
How can it help?
It can help with a multitude of problems. Initially by learning to relax and get control of your bodily feelings, you can start to feel and take more control of your own life. You may well be ready then to look at your problems in greater detail. It may be necessary to go back into the past to review certain experiences and put them into a different perspective. Hypnotherapy can help you increase your determination to change - if you really want to; a variety of behaviors, phobias, bad habits, deal with emotional traumas, self image and confidence.
How does it work?
In hypnosis, because you are more suggestible, you usually accept suggestions without analyzing them. For example, if it was suggested in hypnosis that the room was cold, you would start to feel cold. You might even start shivering; you wouldn't be able to evaluate the true facts. The same is true for suggestions for change - i.e., suggestions of increased calmness, relaxation and confidence are accepted at face value and if repeated often enough they will start to be believed, and will be acted upon. However if suggestions are made which you don't want to accept, you will simply reject them or not act upon them. For instance, individuals preoccupied with pain are distorting their view of the world and increasing their discomfort, because focusing attention on pain only sustains the sensation of having pain. Relieving this pain involves seeing it as only part of total experience. In a trance state, pain is separated from total experience and individuals reorient their focus to a state of relaxation and well being. They "forget" about pain.
Some misconceptions and fears.
Due mostly to media presentation of hypnosis in the past and especially stage hypnosis, most of us have a wholly inaccurate picture of hypnosis and it's 'power'.
some fears:
Can I use it for myself?
Yes, with training, or the use of a specially designed hypnotic tape.. It is possible without help although it usually takes longer and is more difficult. Most people benefit by learning self hypnosis during a therapy session, using it regularly and giving themselves suggestions which they have found to work. With the guidance of a therapist, a variety of approaches can be tried to find which works best. Then the onus is on the individual to help themselves get well.
I can recommend:
The National College of Hypnosis and Psychotherapy, 12 Cross Street, Nelson, Lancashire. BB9 7EN Tel (01282) 699378
The West Midlands society of Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy, D.F.Evans M.B., B.Ch. "Ivy House", 20 High Street, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B72 1UY Tel (0121) 327 6401
Suggested reading
Medical & Dental Hypnosis by John Hartland Balliere Tindall
Uncommon Therapy by Jay Haley (techniques of M.Erickson). Norton & Co
The Structure of Magic by Bandler & Grinder (NLP techniques) Real People Press
Frogs into Princes by Bandler & Grinder (NLP techniques) Real People Press
Reframing by Bandler & Grinder Real People Press
Structure of Delight by Nelson Zink
Awaken the Genius by Dr Patrick Porter Pure Light Publishing
he Hypnotic world of Paul Mckenna Carlton Press
Due to the nature of this page and it's obvious brevity, much that could have been included has been left out. Some further inclusions for those pursuing their interest :Induction techniques, trance deepening, use of imagination, phenomena of hypnosis, clinical application, analytical techniques, history and development of hypnosis. James Middleton 24 Daisy Road Edgbaston Birmingham B16 9DZ (0121) 454 5560 Home Practice 0941 101 706 Office