What is Hypnosis?

 

To some people 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 seems to drift into a state of ease.  Your body may feel heavy or light as if floating. In fact, for the next few minutes your body will be unimportant except for the experience of 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 seems unimportant. Your conscious mind that is usually critically analyzing every part of your world is quiet and 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 is an emergency that occurs you can snap out of hypnosis any time to address any problem.  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.  Training you now to achieve the trance state in a controlled and safe manner.  After that, you learn 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 practitioners and reserve the right to refer their clients to a mental health practitioner  if they feel their clients need help in dealing with issues that are beyond their scope as a hypnotist.  It is not unusual for a hypnotist to work in tandem with a mental health practitioner.

 

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 learn 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 in gaining 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 are 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 enter into some form of hypnosis several times every day (example: day dreaming). 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. Talk to the hypnotist about all of your concerns. No question is wrong. The more comfortable you feel the better you will do.

 

  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.

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?

 

When working with a well trained hypnotist, hypnosis is safe.   Hypnosis is generally 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. Also, in comedy clubs and parties alcohol is abundant and  lowers inhibitions

 

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 can 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. 

 

In the State of North Carolina, only a licensed mental health practitioner or medical 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, social worker, doctor, nurse, etc, plus has taken special advanced certifications to practice the art of hypnosis.  I use the term hypnotist .  NC does not offer licensing for the practice of hypnosis at this time.   All states are different.

 

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?

 

The first step is an evaluation/informational interview. During this time, hypnosis will be explained to you and your questions will be answered. Please feel free to make a list of questions you would like to address.

We will discuss your goals or problems and a course of action will be recommended that will most rapidly achieve the results desired.

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 when repeated will enter your subconscious and become part of you. The old programming, which was keeping you from achieving your goals or were causing you problems, will be replaced by positive suggestions so that you can accomplish goals and eliminate problems. You will emerge with a sense of well being and relaxation. 

The fourth and final part of your session consists of a brief discussion of the session. 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. Medical hypnosis requires written M.D. approval prior to any hypnosis sessions.

 

I 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.

 

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