What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is basically evoking change by using language and sensory experiences the un/nonconscious mind understands. For example, if someone says to you “Just relax.” Then I’ll bet you wouldn’t relax that much. But, suppose I ask you to recall a beautiful, peaceful place, like your favorite outdoor scene. Then, I ask you to imagine it even more vividly recalling specific sights, sounds, and smells you would enjoy in this place. Within a few seconds of just imagining this scene, I’ll bet you would find your body relaxing. That is basically a hypnotic response.
Myths about hypnosis: People fear that they will lose control, not remember anything or have spontaneous, unpleasant memories. But, this rarely happens. You are in full control of the experience and will only respond to suggestions that make sense to you and are in your best interest. Essentially, all hypnosis is “self-hypnosis.” I am only guiding and teaching you ways to get your mind and body to respond more in the way that you want.
Who are good candidates for hypnosis? The best candidates for clinical hypnosis are persons who are highly motivated to overcome a problem. Hypnosis cannot “magically” help you quit smoking or lose weight if you really don’t want to do these things. But, if you have a sincere desire to change, you are likely to do very well and find it rewarding.
Are there any risks in using hypnosis? Although hypnosis is generally a safe procedure with fewer complications than most procedures or medications, some clients feel increased anxiety about the process in general. But, this usually subsides as the client is reassured he/she is in full control and realizes the experience is rather natural and not scary at all. Other affective responses can occur such as crying or feeling light-headed or nauseated. Again, these experiences are usually transient and I will work with you to alleviate them if they occur.
Will hypnosis cause me to recall a memory that I may have suppressed? Spontaneous regression to a traumatic event or period of life is rare. If you wish to address a specific traumatic event, I will work with you on emotional strengthening skills prior to using any hypnotic intervention.
How does hypnosis work? Have you ever felt frustrated because you consciously knew you needed to change a certain way of thinking or acting, but couldn’t seem to get yourself to do it? While, the conscious mind is the part of our mind that we use to analyze things and make decisions, many other things are going on at a un/nonconscious level. In fact, scientists estimate that only 10% of what we are thinking, doing or feeling at any given moment is driven by conscious processes. The other 90% of what we are experiencing at any given moment is driven by un/nonconscious processes. Un/nonconscious processes are simply automatic processes going on below our conscious awareness.
The un/nonconscious is not that scary or mysterious, it is our friend. For example, the un/nonconscious mind is regulating your breathing right now and beating your heart. The un/nonconscious mind is also processing and monitoring sensory information like smells, sounds and room temperature. Finally, the un/nonconscious mind stores memories, learned behaviors, belief systems and governs “automatic” behaviors and responses in order to free up your conscious mind to do other things. The un/nonconscious is what helps you drive a car without having to think too much about it once you’ve learned the skills. It is literally your automatic pilot.
But the un/nonconscious mind may keep activating “automatic” responses that are no longer serving you. For example, it may be driving you to eat foods that were once comforting, but now are causing you to gain weight. Or, it may cause you to feel anxious whenever you are around anyone that reminds you of a mean teacher you once had. The un/nonconscious thinks like a small child or animal, so we have to speak the language it understands to get it to change. That is all hypnosis is, using the language this part of your mind understands so it can change automatic responses.
Clinical Hypnotherapy is an effective tool for creating change. Utilization is the heart of hypnosis! I help individuals find solutions within the problem. Hypnotherapy is a useful tool in helping to remove resistance, while promoting change that may involve new ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving. The Hypnotic Law of Permission states: when we give ourselves permission to experience what we are experiencing, the outcome is movement to a different place. With hypnotherapy we explore possibilities for creating change by accessing information stored in the un/nonconscious mind that may not be available on a conscious level. It is our “toolbox” of resources for creating those desired changes.
Hypnosis can help:
- Alleviate fears/anxiety
- Deal with depression
- Quit smoking
- Build confidence
- Improve concentration, performance & success (work, school & sports)
- Enhance relationships
- Manage pain & stress
- Stop procrastination
- Recover from trauma & grief
- Overcome sexual problems
