What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is the act of guiding someone into the trance state. Different experts define the trance state differently, but they almost always refer to:
- A deep state of relaxation.
- Hyper-focus and concentration.
- Increased suggestibility.
There are many misconceptions about hypnosis, The hypnotized person is not sleeping or unconscious—quite the contrary, nor is the hypnotized person under the control of someone else. Hypnosis creates a hyper-attentive and hyper-responsive mental state, in which a person’s subconscious mind is highly open to suggestion. Most of us go in and out of the trance state regularly, it is a natural state of consciousness. Every time you watch a TV show or movie, or read a book and become so engrossed in the story that the rest of the world stops being your primary focus; you are in a state of trance. Another example is the act of driving a car. Driving is a subconscious activity. Your subconscious has been so thoroughly programmed to drive safely that you probably often find yourself five miles down the road and can’t remember how you got there, yet you stayed in your lane, obeyed the speed limit, stop lights and construction signs. The only difference between hypnosis and these everyday trance states is that, in hypnosis, someone induces the trance state to achieve something: healing, discovery, or stress relief.
What is Hypnotherapy?
To understand the difference between hypnosis and hypnotherapy, think of hypnosis as a tool and hypnotherapy as the use of a tool. Hypnotherapy is the practice of hypnosis for therapeutic purposes. It is a therapeutic tool, used by a highly trained and experienced mental health therapist, to help achieve the client’s desired outcome. In hypnotherapy there is absolutely no quacking, barking or buffoonery of any kind. Hypnotherapy is simply a therapeutic tool, usually used in conjunction with or as an adjunct to talk therapy.
The hypnosis used in hypnotherapy is simply a profound state of physical and mental relaxation, where the conscious mind steps aside and the subconscious mind steps forward to assume more responsibility to guiding the client’s thoughts and actions. In this state of profound relaxation, the mind becomes more open to suggestion and therefore more receptive to learning how to change dysfunctional ways of thinking. It’s a sensory experience in the subconscious mind. The conscious mind is linear and is where we think, plan, and analyze, and is where our short-term memory is. When using the subconscious mind, you will be experiencing things rather than thinking about them.
The subconscious does not takes over nor does the conscious mind disappear. A person does not go into unconsciousness; it’s actually super consciousness. The client is always conscious and always in complete control. The client can open their eyes and stop the session at any time. A client will not do anything they don’t want to do; reveal secrets, or do anything they find objectionable in any way. Why? Because, the client is always in complete control.
Hypnotherapy techniques, provided by a trained mental health professional, are being acknowledged as the most effective method for treating some of these common ailments, rather than the use of basic hypnosis, which tends to only provide a temporary solution that does not get to the root of the underlying issue.
Why does Hypnotherapy Work?
Think of the mind as a computer and the subconscious as the operating system that makes the computer work. When we engage in dysfunctional patterns of behavior, even when we know they’re dysfunctional and want to change, it’s because the subconscious has been programmed through our upbringing and life experiences to view patterns in the external environment and react in a certain way. There is no magic and no mind control, just a trained professional helping a client achieve a goal the client has set for himself or herself.
Hypnotherapy is completely safe. Remember, hypnosis is a natural state of mind. We’re not using drugs or any other chemical, mechanical or otherwise artificial technique or device. It’s simply the therapist talking and the client listening, with the client in complete control so they’re free to accept or reject the suggestions as they please.
Hypnotherapy works…usually much more quickly than talk therapy. Because the therapist and client are working directly with the subconscious and rewriting the programming that drives the client’s thinking and behaviors.
What Does the Science Say?
Hypnotherapy is accepted as an evidence-based treatment intervention in the areas of anxiety, fears, phobias, depression, and PTSD. Hypnotherapy is used treat many common medical conditions as well.
The British Psychological Society commissioned a working group to survey the evidence and write a formal report on hypnotherapy in 2001. They found, “Enough studies have now accumulated to suggest that the inclusion of hypnotic procedures may be beneficial in the management and treatment of a wide range of conditions and problems encountered in the practice of medicine, psychiatry and psychotherapy.”
Cutting-edge brain imaging technology now gives us a window into the physical manifestations of hypnotherapy. When they scanned the brains of 57 individuals undergoing hypnosis, Stanford researchers reported that sections of the brain associated with insight and change showed “altered activity and connectivity.”
The American Psychological Association concludes, “Although hypnosis has been controversial, most clinicians now agree it can be a powerful, effective therapeutic technique for a wide range of conditions, including pain, anxiety and mood disorders.”
For a thorough review of research citations on hypnosis and hypnotherapy in both medical and psychological treatment, please refer to “Hypnosis & Hypnotherapy Citations”, a 140 page compendium indexed by presenting issue or medical condition. [Journal of Heart-Centered Therapies, 2010, Vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 3-142]: https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/213128/Association_Membership/Journal/Journal_13-1_Hypnosis_and_Hypnotherapy_Citations.pdf
Mental Health Conditions and Other Issues Treated with Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy
- PTSD and Trauma Resolution (sexual assault, physical and emotional abuse)
- Anxiety and Stress Management
- Depression
- Sports and Athletic Performance
- Smoking Cessation
- Obesity and Weight Loss
- Sexual Dysfunctions (erectile dysfunction, pre-orgasmic)
- Concentration Difficulties, Test Anxiety
Common Medical Conditions Treated with Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy
Hypnosis is now commonly used to treat medical conditions such as:
- Sleep Disorders
- Gastrointestinal Disorders (Ulcers, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Colitis, Crohn’s Disease)
- Surgery/Anesthesiology (As an adjunct to medication, or as the sole anesthetic for surgery)
- Acute and Chronic Pain Management (back pain, cancer pain, dental anesthesia, headaches and migraines, arthritis or rheumatism)
- Burns (Hypnosis is not only effective for the pain, but also reduces inflammation and promotes healing)
- Nausea and Vomiting associated with Chemotherapy and Pregnancy
- Childbirth (At least two thirds of women have been found capable of using hypnosis as the sole analgesic for labor)
- Allergies, Asthma
- High Blood Pressure (hypertension)
- Broken Bones (reduced healing time)
Comforts of Home Counseling has therapists who are trained and are advanced clinical hypnotherapists. They have experience treating multiple issues with hypnotherapy including anxiety, depression, trauma, and weight loss.