Hypnosis in its clinical setting is a means of facilitating profound and meaningful change. Hypnosis is nothing more than a deep state of relaxation during which the mind becomes very focused. Hypnosis is a very powerful healing tool because it reassures and counsels the sub-conscious minds.
Many people who believe that they would be unable to cope with giving up vices
such as gambling, cigarettes, and illicit drugs have been pleasantly surprised
at the success of clinical hypnosis. Clients find the necessary confidence to
not only cope with but also embrace positive changes through using hypnosis.
Hypnosis is a short-cut to healing as it deals directly with the sub-conscious
mind where true and profound change occurs very quickly.
Some Myths About Hypnosis:
The Truth About Hypnosis:
Hypnotherapy can help with Gambling, Addictions, Depression, Stop Smoking, Panic Attacks, Self-Esteem, Pain Control (Inc. Child Birth), Phobias, Weight Management, Past Life Regression, Dream Analysis, Anxiety, Self-confidence, Memory Enhancement, Stage Fright, Insomnia, Alcoholism, Drug Addiction, Sports Enhancement, Public Speaking
In a world of quick fixes we have a pill for birth control, a pill for vitamins and minerals, diet pills, alcohol to unwind, caffeine to wake up, credit on demand, fast cars, fast food, instant information from computers and the internet. Why is it when we have a 'tool' as efficient as hypnotherapy, that can, will and does help many people with their therapy, that the therapy is largely ignored, misunderstood and treated so lightly?
Psychology is well known. The history of psychology is well documented. We have all heard of Freud, Jung and Skinner. They laid out the foundations of what is now modern psychology. They also brought hypnotherapy into the 20th century. Their theories were also the foundation of modern hypnotherapy.
These pioneers of modern psychotherapy used hypnosis for years. Using their theories, hypnotherapy has developed from authoritarian hypnosis to client-based therapies.
In authoritarian hypnosis, the client is given direct suggestions. These suggestions are either accepted or rejected by the subconscious mind. That's why this form of hypnosis sometimes does not help. The suggestions were not exactly right for the actual problem the client is facing. The symptoms may disappear for a while. They may reappear as they were, or as a different symptom.
Lets look at an example. Mary has decided to quit smoking through hypnotherapy. She is given suggestions that relate to her situation. Mary finds she still has trouble quitting because of emotional problems that have associated themselves with her smoking. Her mind learnt to cope with the problem by using smoking as a crutch. Once this crutch is removed the problem surfaced, but not as the original problem but as other symptoms, such as overeating, nail biting, anxiety or depression. The subconscious mind may even tempt her to start smoking again, so it can use the comfortable crutch it was used to.
Free association can also be done in a hypnotic state. The client is allowed to freely express and discuss whatever the subconscious mind deems appropriate at the time. The problem is eventually addressed. This can be a long process. The best advantage is that there are no suggestions from the hypnotherapist.
Visualization can also be used. The theory is that whatever the 'third eye' or the subconscious mind sees or believes it sees is taken as fact. It is already happening. The mind sees the client in their desired situation and lifestyle. If seeing this image often reinforces this, the mind will begin to act accordingly. This can also be a lengthy process. Sometimes without realizing it, only the symptoms are addressed. There are also those of us that believe we don't have enough time. We do not have enough time to get through the week, let alone finding the time to do visualizations repeatedly. So the therapy is not as effective as it could be.
Using the above example Mary quitting smoking, visualizations can be applied to help. Mary can see herself quitting smoking. She can be taken on a wonderful journey that allows her mind to never wish to smoke again. Seeing all the wonders of a world without cigarettes. She may consciously never wish to smoke again, but unless the real issue and problem is addressed, other symptoms of the actual problem will still appear.
Ideomotor programming involves programming the subconscious mind to answer 'yes' and 'no' questions by moving predetermined fingers (or other body parts). The subconscious mind, whilst in hypnosis, can be told to move a particular finger to answer 'yes' to a question. Another finger for 'no', another finger for 'I do not know'. This type of therapy is great if the actual problem is known. By only asking closed questions, this therapy can also be limited. The therapist must ask appropriate questions to direct the therapy. By only getting yes or no in response, can make this a long process. The client cannot give any extra information that may be relevant to help their therapy.
Mary's situation can be helped with ideomotor programming. The subconscious mind can agree to quit smoking. A clever therapist may even be able to determine that there is another issue that needs to be addressed. The subconscious mind however cannot divulge this information. It can only agree or disagree if there is another issue. The therapist must then question the kind to what it actually is and how big the problem is. Once the problem is eventually found, the therapist must negotiate using only closed questions to find out from the subconscious mind how best to solve the actual problem.
Using a combination of the above is what modern hypnotherapy is all about. Ideo Ego Dynamics allows ideomotor programming to be expressed through the voice, rather then just body parts. This allows two-way dialogue between the therapist and the subconscious mind. Open-ended questions can now be used. There are no suggestions given by the hypnotherapist, so the clients subconscious mind comes up with all the solutions to the clients actual problem. The therapist controls the direction the therapy takes to stop the subconscious mind going off track and not addressing the issues that must e addressed for the actual problem to be eliminated.
By using visualizations, whatever solutions the client's subconscious mind comes up with, because the mind sees it happening, the mind set of the client changes at the same time.
The subconscious mind is divided into different parts. Some people refer to them as 'hats' or 'masks'. These different parts are all responsible for different things. Some look after emotions (love, hate, revenge, anger, etc). Others look after the day to day running of our lives. For example, there is a part that goes to work, another part deals with the kids, another deals with your parents, etc. These parts are known as Ego States (the state our ego is in).
These parts are there to help us get through life as best we can. When we are having difficulties with a particular problem or situation in our lives, the Ego States that deal with these problems can be addressed. Any type of cognitive therapy or counselling can be used. The Ego States can even be regressed to find when this problem started, if this will help solve the actual problem. These Ego States are still the client, it is just the focus is on that particular part of their personality. In hypnosis, the mind is extremely focused. When we are relaxed, the mind can think clearly. It can put things in their proper prospective. In hypnosis, the mind is extremely relaxed. So by being relaxed and focused, whilst in hypnosis, the appropriate Ego Sates can help address the actual problem the client is having.
If we applied Ideo-Ego Dynamics to Mary's situation, we would ask the Ego State that can help Mary with her current problem to assist us. We could then find which part of her has the actual problem. The Ego State that is assisting us is the part that knows how this problem should best be addressed for Mary. The subconscious mind comes up with what needs to be done. Once the actual problem has been addressed, the symptoms (in this case smoking) usually disappear.
The client feels better, not only because their problem has finally been addressed, but also because they participated in their own treatment. The client can see they can heal their own life. They may need assistance, but it was the client doing the healing, not a pill or an amazing therapist, but themselves. This can lead to a greater feeling of self-esteem, self-confidence and self-reliance.
Hypnotherapy helps you achieve what all psychotherapy seeks; that you attain enough independence to trust your own judgment, retain enough interdependence that you contribute the most to society that your unique personality can offer.
So as you can see, hypnosis has evolved from a therapy where the hypnotherapist
'commands' a change in the client to one where the client is assisted in the
change their subconscious mind has determined is most appropriate.