Hypnotherapy is a modality that combines hypnosis with psychotherapy. Hypnotherapy has been scientifically proven to effectively treat a wide variety of medical problems in a safe and efficient manner. It has been approved for use by the American Medical Association by professionally trained individuals since 1958.
Hypnotherapy uses the mind-body connection to help treat symptoms of disease, as well as uncover potential causes, thereby affecting great change. The result is increased health and wellness for clients.
In other words, you can use the power of your mind to manage your health!
It is important to understand that our minds are made up of both a conscious and a subconscious.
Functions of the conscious mind:
- Houses our intellect
- Discerns fact from fiction
- Filters information and decides what fits into our value system
- Also referred to as the "critical factor"
- Likes to remember the past and think about the future
Functions of the subconscious mind:
- Long term memory bank; every memory we've every experienced lives in the subconscious as well as the cells of our bodies.
- Regulates the autonomic nervous system (the involuntary functions of our body)
- Home of our emotions
- Is a dynamo that directs our energy and imagination
- Exists in the present moment
The analogy I like to use in comparing our whole mind to a floodlight. With the conscious and subconscious both competing for action, the floodlight's rays are spread out over a large area. However, when we focus that light into a very concentrated area, the beam becomes much brighter and stronger. So is the power of our mind when we are in trance.
Suggestions given in this state are accepted more readily and have a larger impact than if we were to receive them in a conscious state. Often we realize WHAT we would like to change. Intellectually, we may even know how and why. Then why can it be so difficult to make that change occur? The answer lies in the subconscious. If a person is motivated to change, hypnotherapy can be a fast, gentle, effective and permanent method to facilitate this change.
Definition of Hypnosis
I define hypnosis as a relaxed state of directed, focused inward attention.
Hypnosis works by using relaxation methods that allow a gentle bypassing of the conscious mind and gives access to the subconscious mind. The client, although deeply relaxed, is always aware and in control of this process. Hypnosis is not "done" to you. Rather, the client is actively involved in the hypnotic process.
People are in and out of hypnotic states on a regular basis. It is a natural and comfortable physical and mental state for our bodies and minds.
Examples of light hypnotic states:
- Driving and having a lapse of memory about arriving at your destination
- Engrossed in a favorite activity and lost track of time (reading or watching television, etc.)
- While exercising, entered "the zone"
- Daydreaming
For clinical work in trance, I generally guide people into medium states of trance.
Characteristics of medium trance state:
- Deep physical relaxation; slow breathing and heart rate, muscular flaccidity.
- Increased awareness of emotions
- Increased ability to use imagination
- Ability to have dual awareness of past and present
- Heightened state of suggestibility
Trance feels like that time between sleep and wakefulness when you can sense other events taking place around you, but your prefer to remain in a relaxed state.
What hypnosis is NOT:
- The client is always in control of what suggestions they choose to accept.
- There is consent given by the client to the therapist which allows for suggestions to be accepted.
- Hypnosis is not a substitute for primary medical care
- I require a medical release to treat all disease symptoms.
- I ask to contact your primary care provider to ensure safe and effective treatment.
- All cases are handled with the utmost confidentiality.
- I work with a variety of local practioners as a part of an expanded health care team.
As research grows proving the positive effects of hypnotherapy, many physicians, psychologists, chiropractors and physical therapists are recommending hypnotherapy as a supplement to client's health care regime.