Hypnotherapy
What is Hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is therapy while under hypnosis. Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness. Therapeutic suggestions are given to the subconscious mind after the patient has been induced into a deep state of relaxation. Emotional stresses are reframed and habit patterns are gently changed to suggest beneficial outcomes while the patient is in this very relaxed state.
You are never at any stage unconscious. A consent state cannot be forced against a person’s will. Any person who can daydream can experience the beneficial affects of hypnotherapy.
Hypnosis involves deep relaxation, a trance state and suggestion. Effective communication manifests as influence and co-operation or compliance.
Applications for Hypnotherapy
Concentration, clear thinking, memory enhancement, confidence boosting, overcoming insomnia, anxiety, nail biting, stress, stop smoking, weight control, phobias, bad habits and to enhance performance eg sport, exams, stage fright.
Hypnotherapy works well when the client has trust in the therapist, has an expectation of a beneficial outcome to the therapy, when there is a mutual regard between the therapist and the client. Co-operation is necessary and complete attention needs to be given to the therapist. For success there must be a desire to be hypnotised, and the client needs to relax the body, concentrate the mind, imagine that what the therapist is saying is happening now. It is an enjoyable experience with a deep sense of relaxation afterwards.
If you are fearful you need to discuss these fears with the therapist so that there is no resistance to the therapy. Otherwise you are wasting your time. Trying too hard doesn’t help in this therapy just like meditation. Allow the process to unfold in a comfortable setting allowing the mind to let go of its activity and just sink back into the chair or couch and rest.
Research has shown that people experience hypnotherapy in different ways. Some as an alteration in consciousness; some experience it simply as a state of relaxation, others as a situation in which they feel motivated to go along with the suggestions of the hypnotist. People differ in their ability to experience hypnosis.
It has been said that about 10% of the population can experience all or most hypnotic suggestions, even the most difficult ones. About 10% find it difficult to experience any hypnotic suggestions, even the really simple ones. And the remaining 80%, can experience some but not other suggestions.
Unfortunately lots of people believe that someone who can be hypnotised is more gullible, or even less intelligent. This is not so. Individual differences in hypnotisability are not related to personality characteristics, nor are they related to gender, age, or any other such variables.
Hypnotisability is related to a personality characteristic called 'absorption'. This basically means the ability of the individual to become involved in events. For instance, if you're one of those people who gets caught up in reading a book, even though the television is blaring, or gets swept away by a movie, then you are probably quite, if not highly, hypnotisable. Also, highly hypnotisable people are more likely to have a strong imaginative life and are more creative.
One researcher once referred to hypnosis as 'believed-in imaginings.' Because of these abilities to become absorbed, hypnotisable individuals are very talented at taking the hypnotist's suggestions and creating complex experiences that seem utterly compelling and totally genuine.
Hypnosis requires trust and rapport. Three to six sessions are recommended and hypnotherapy works better if the family are supportive and encouraging.
WHAT CONDITIONS CAN HYPNOTHERAPY HELP?
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Overcoming Procrastination |
Controlling Migraines |
