What
is Hypnosis?
To some the word hypnosis conjures up
fears and apprehensions. We think we are unconscious and under the control of
the hypnotist. Some people think that they go to sleep. Nothing could be
further from the truth! When we experience hypnosis, we are deeply relaxed
physically, while mentally being many times more alert than in our normal state of
awareness. We hear and respond to everything and are active participants in
the trance state. We have great control over what we will or will not do, and
will instantly reject any suggestions that we find uncomfortable or
unacceptable to our core personality and moral
and religious codes. If we agree with the
suggestion
given, we allow the information to enter the subconscious mind.
Imagine that your body feels relaxed and the
tension in your body is completely gone.
You body may feel heavy or light as if floating.
In fact, for the next few minutes your body will
be unimportant except for the relaxation
that is spreading to every part of your body.
All of the confusing outside chatter is muted.
You hear it of course, but it is unimportant.
Your conscious mind that is usually critically
analyzing every part of your world is quiet.
thing may drift in and out. You know you could
get up and leave any time you like but for now
you just want to enjoy this relaxation. If
there was an emergency that occurs you can snap
out of hypnosis any time to address any problem.
That is why we say find a quiet place and turn
of your cell phones as well as other distracting
noises. Many of you have not felt this relaxed
or secure and it is a new sensation. The voice
you hear is from your hypnotist who is trained
to help you reach this relaxed state. He or she
guides you with the changes you want to make
using your own words and motivations back to
you. This is key to your success because
you are in control. Hypnosis cannot occur
without you wanting to go there and any good
hypnotist will not even try to prove you wrong
because they know the session will fail with out
you wanting to experience hypnosis or experience
change.
So
what does a hypnotist do? The hypnotist is
like a guide on a back packing trip. I
train you how to achieve the trance state in a
controlled and safe manner. After that, I
teach you how to connect with what you learned
in trance so that you can readily use the new
skills in your conscious every day waking state.
The hypnotist is your teacher, mentor and
motivational coach. They are not mental health
counselors and reserve the right to refer their
clients to a mental health counselor if they
feel their client needs help in dealing with
issues that are beyond the scope of a hypnotist.
The
goals in hypnosis are to empower the client to
learn new skills so that they can make positive
changes in their life. The clients learns to tap
into new mental skills to enhance their lives
for the betterment of themselves and the people
around them. But clearly this is their own
innate ability to access these skills.
There is no magic to gain proficiency in these
skills. It is a aptitude that I believe
any one can achieve with the proper training.
The only components that are needed is a normal
IQ or above, the desire to experience hypnosis
and the ability to use and to develop one's
imagination.
The repetitive
positive suggestions given to the subconscious mind allow the individual to
replace negative life limiting habits with positive habits. We are all
what the programming in the subconscious mind perceives us to be. If this part
of the mind views us as overweight, we may stay
over weight even though we are constantly
dieting. If it perceives that
we smoke, we smoke -- if it perceives that we are stressed, we are stressed,
-- and so on. What ever our conscious mind perceives us to be
becomes reality, Using hypnosis, we are able to access this subconscious computer and
reprogram ourselves to be whatever we wish to be!
Can I be hypnotized?
Hypnosis is a natural
state of mind.
You can enter some form of hypnosis several times every
day. ANYONE can enter hypnosis very easily, providing you
have the following two things:
(1) You must want to be hypnotized -- no one can be
hypnotized against his or her will.
(2) You must not have any fears or misconceptions about hypnosis and how it
works.
Hypnosis is a 100% Consent State
If at any time you want to emerge from under
the state of hypnosis, for any reason, you will instantly, naturally open your
eyes and become fully alert.
No one can keep you in hypnosis against your will. Hypnosis is 90% the effort
of the client and 10% the effort of the hypnotist. The hypnotist is
trained to guide you into a hypnotic state but you make it happen.
Without you consenting to the experience it will not happen. You are
always in control.
Can hypnosis hurt you?
In recorded hypnosis history, there is no documented case of anyone being hurt
with hypnosis. Hypnosis can only be used in a positive way unless you
participate in a stage show. In stage hypnosis, it is intended to entertain
the audience. However, be aware that the subjects on stage doing funny and
sometimes demeaning stunts are hypnotized and have consented to the process
before being brought on stage.
I feel that hypnosis should always be done for the sake of positive benefits
to the clients and should not be lightly used to be humorous entertainment.
Quiet simply, hypnosis is too valuable a tool for healing
and change to be used as a
funny joke. Always be aware that if anyone tries to give you suggestions
against your morals, religious beliefs or anything you feel strongly about
that is not in keeping with your core personality, you could instantly emerge
from the state of relaxation on your own. You will reject or accept any
suggestion given. I recommend that you work with a certified hypnotist that
you feel comfortable with and has the proper training for the type of hypnosis
you need.
For instance for habit change such as stop
smoking, losing weight most hypnotist are
trained to offer these services but if you need
hypnosis for medical issues be sure that the
hypnotist has advance training for medical
hypnosis. Be sure that doctors and
psychologist, and counselors also have
advanced certifications in medical and
non-therapeutic hypnosis if they offer hypnosis.
Just having a license to practice medicine or
mental health does not mean a person can do
hypnosis with out proper training. Always
ask about the hypnotist, doctor, psychologist or
counselor's training and check out the
organization that certify them. Always
feel at ease asking about a hypnotist or
Hypnotherapists credentials. The
difference is that in the State of North
Carolina, only a licensed psychologist or mental
health practitioner can use the term
"Hypnotherapist". What that means is they have
completed the licensing requirements of the
state to practice as a psychologist or mental
health counselor, plus have taken special
advanced certifications for the use of hypnosis.
I use the term hypnotist because I am not
licensed in a mental health field and only have
training in hypnotism. NC does not offer
licensing for the practice of hypnosis at this
time.
You have a right to have all your questions
answered so please do not be shy. A hypnotist
should outline their credentials, where they
trained, confidentiality issues, policies,
payment information and a session plan in order
to give you enough information for an informed
consent. Most hypnosis organizations such
as the National Guild of Hypnotist (NGH) have a
detailed code of ethics and the members must
adhere to these strict regulations and complete
yearly continuing education credits to stay in
good standing.
For more information on the NGH go to:
National Guild of Hypnotists
What
is a hypnosis session like?
1.The first
is an evaluation/informational interview. During this time, your questions
will be answered. Please feel free to make a list of questions you would like
to address.
2. We will discuss your goals or problems and a course of action will be
recommended that will most rapidly achieve the results desired.
3. If you are completely comfortable with the idea of hypnosis, the actual
hypnosis will begin. You will be guided into a very deep state of mental and
physical relaxation. You will feel very relaxed, but extremely alert mentally.
You will be aware of everything around you. Suggestions for the change you
desire will be given to your powerful subconscious mind. These suggestions
will enter your subconscious and become part of you. The old programming,
which was keeping you from achieving your goal or was causing a problem, will
be removed allowing you to accomplish goals and eliminate problems. You will
emerge from hypnosis with strong suggestions of good health and a positive
attitude. You will feel better than you have for a long, long time.
4. The fourth and final part of your session consists of a brief discussion of
the session, making sure your desired change is felt within you and, if
necessary, setting up your next appointment. You will be given a tape or CD of
the hypnosis session and instructed on the number of times that you will need
to listen to the suggestions. Your commitment to listen to the hypnosis
sessions on your own as directed by the hypnotist is the only way to insure
success.
I specializes
in general and medical hypnosis and
currently see clients for smoking
cessation, weight control, chronic pain
relief, fibromyalgia symptom alleviation,
Irritable Bowel Syndrome, constant
worry/unnatural fears, sleep problems,
stress management and much more. Each
specialty area of medical hypnosis is
designed to be used in conjunction with the
client's physician or mental health
practitioner's treatment regime. Some
hypnosis therapies requires written M.D.
approval prior to any hypnosis sessions. We do
not attempt to treat or diagnose disease or
mental disorders of any kind. Hypnosis in no way
replaces standard medical procedures, but works
in conjunction with the physician by freeing the
client of feelings and attitudes that may be
inhibiting their recovery response.
Through hypnosis, one uses the natural processes
of the mind to create a positive attitude and
boost the immune system. This allows the client
to make the most of their own intentions towards
healing. Hypnosis helps to create strong
positive expectancy and reduces stress, thereby
normalizing the action of the autonomic nervous
system.
