First, let us discuss the differences between clinical hypnosis, medical hypnosis and hypnotherapy:
Clinical Hypnosis is a treatment intervention comprised of inducing the client into a relaxed, suggestible state and then offering post-hypnotic suggestions for relief from symptoms.
Medical Hypnosis has proven helpful for acute and chronic pain, insomnia, stress management, birthing, preoperative panic, and many other mind-body interactions. Medical Hypnosis utilizes positive suggestions in the treatment of both physical and emotional disorders. Medical Hypnosis is dynamic, short term, and directed. It follows a medical model of psychotherapy aimed at resolving the underlying unconscious causes responsible for the physical or emotional symptoms, negative thinking and unwanted behavior.
Hypnotherapy is the use of sound and evidence based psychotherapy while the client is an altered state of consciousness. It is a state of deepened physical relaxation and heightened concentration of the mind in which the learning process is greatly enhanced. It is extremely helpful in determining the origin/root cause of a person’s problem, because it reaches regions of the mind that cannot be easily reached in the normal waking state. As a result individuals experience changes in sensation, perception, thought or behavior corresponding to his or their mental or physical health needs. Hypnotherapy will often integrate traditional talk therapy practices to further explore and integrate the information and new directions that arise during the hypnotherapy session.
When you’re under hypnosis:
- Your attention is more focused
- You’re more responsive to new ideas
- You are better able to remember details of emotionally charged events in your past
- You’re more open to change and less critical or disbelieving
Hypnosis creates a state of deep relaxation and quiets the mind. When you’re hypnotized, you can concentrate intensely on a specific thought, memory, feeling or sensation while blocking out distractions. You’re more capable of accepting helpful suggestions and desired new patterns, and this can be used to change your behavior and thereby improve your health and well-being.
What to Expect?
A hypnotherapist leads you into hypnosis by talking in soothing tone and describing images that create a sense of relaxation, security and well-being; or stimulate your imagination by suggesting specific mental images for you to visualize. When hypnotized, most people feel physically very relaxed, and emotionally calm and peaceful. You will be aware of what is going on at all times. Many people under hypnosis are uncertain that they are actually hypnotized, however a certified hypnotherapist is trained to be aware of physical and biological signs of being in a hypnotic state.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can anyone be hypnotized?
Everyone can be hypnotized to some degree. Some people find it easier to relax than others. Some people are able to go into hypnosis more quickly and more deeply than others. Most people can go into at least a light trance and can benefit from hypnotherapy to some extent.
Can I be hypnotized against my will?
Nobody can be hypnotized against their will. The goal of hypnotherapy is to work together with the client toward empowerment to create change in his or her life. Nobody can be forced to do anything against their will. The ‘control’ misconception appears to originate from stage hypnosis.
When you’re under hypnosis can the hypnotherapist control your mind?
You do hypnosis voluntarily for yourself. A hypnotherapist only serves as a knowledgeable guide or facilitator. Any suggestions made in while a client is in trance are based on the stated wishes of the client – and will only have a lasting affect if they are congruent with your own will and desires.
What if I do not come out of hypnosis?
Everyone comes out of hypnosis. People go into hypnosis willingly, and come out of it easily. Since the hypnotist keeps the person under hypnosis, with the person’s realization that the hypnotist’s voice is no longer heard, the person will return to the present.
Will I remember anything after the session is over?
You will remember mostly everything except for past experiences that your own subconscious deems to emotionally painful. Usually, you will remember only what you are ready to remember, and as you begin to process or ‘digest’ the experiences they will become clearer. You may be asked to describe images or sensations, people, places, or sounds as they come to you, and at any point if the experience becomes unsettling you will always have an identified ‘safe’ or ‘calm’ place to move to.