Frequently Asked Questions about Hypnotherapy
What is Hypnotherapy?
Is Hypnotherapy Safe?
Can anyone be hypnotized?
What happens in a typical session?
What applications do hypnotherapy and self-hypnosis techniques have?
What is Hypnotherapy?
Contemporary Hypnotherapy is a safe, client-centered approach to manifesting positive change while building skills for self-awareness. It is commonly used for improving one’ life by releasing or transforming old negative “programs,” patterns or symptoms, and reinforcing motivation.
- Hypnotic trance is a natural state of inner focus that minimizes the typical distractions and habitual patterns of the conscious mind.
- Time-proven techniques connect the conscious (wide-awake) mind with subconscious information to work toward the client’s specific goals.
Hypnotherapy is essentially a guided self-help method (it is often said, “All hypnosis is self-hypnosis”). Hypnosis is a natural state of mind we experience commonly, usually every day.
- The client is not under control by the hypnotherapist.
- No one can get “stuck” in hypnosis.
- Although superficial inhibitions may be lowered, people in hypnosis will not say or do anything they do not wish to, or that contradicts their sense of what is right.
- A hypnotized client will not access suppressed information he/she is not ready to deal with.
Most intelligent, mentally healthy people can be hypnotized if they are willing to be.
- Certain disorders and some medications may affect the hypnotherapy process.
- Willingness to use the imagination enhances the hypnotic and therapeutic experience.
- Some people convince themselves beforehand that hypnotherapy will not work for them, creating a block to the process.
What happens in a typical session?
Background information is recorded or updated; clients are encouraged to be comfortable; clients and therapist work together to define a goal or direction before the hypnotic induction.
- A verbal guided relaxation helps the client focus on inner experience.
- The client is guided to explore imagery (the language of the unconscious mind) to create a safe inner environment, and then clarify what may be going on “beneath the surface.”
- In many cases, depending on the goal, the client learns to communicate with subconscious impulses and “reframe” them, that is, transform the old patterns through which those impulses used to function, into new patterns that work more successfully and acceptably for the client. Recollection can be enhanced, and latent knowledge activated.
What applications do hypnotherapy and self-hypnosis techniques have?
- Learn life-long skills -- to consciously relax, to manage stress and tension, and to balance and enhance harmony of body, mind, heart and spirit.
- Free one’s self from unwanted behaviors, habits, fears, anxiety, negative reactions.
- Heal emotional wounds and release the effects of past or anticipated pain or traumas.
- Clarify confused or complicated issues, define goals and directions, enhance motivation.
- Complement or enhance medical or psychotherapeutic treatment for optimum outcomes.
- Access intuitive wisdom, inner guidance, or blocked memories for positive change.
- Develop deeper self-awareness, self-management, and self-actualization.
- Understand and release or transform blocks and obstacles into strengths.
- Improve relationships -- with others and with one’s self.
