What_Is_Hypnotherapy_and_What_Is_It_Not

What is Hypnotherapy and what is Hypnotherapy not' Hypnotherapy is the therapy that is undertaken with a client in hypnosis (Hypnosis is a trance state, an 'altered state of consciousness) to promote health and well being, a way for the mind and the body to get in sync, hypnotherapy is a tool which helps clients to help themselves, by using skilled verbal communication while in hypnosis, which helps direct a client’s imagination in such a way as to bring about intended alterations in sensations, perceptions, feelings, thoughts and behavior using the unconscious mind. The mind is made up of two regions, the conscious and the unconscious. The conscious mind is everything we are aware of and is the gate keeper of the unconscious mind. The unconscious mind contains all that we know but are not aware of at this moment, the unconscious mind stores away everything you have experienced and controls automatic functions like breathing, blood flow and heart rate, as well as skills you have learnt your attitudes, habits and beliefs. Hypnotherapy releases the power of the unconscious mind and in the process gently by passes your minds conscious and allows your unconscious mind to open up to helpful suggestions. Hypnotherapy should not be confused with ‘stage hypnosis’. Stage hypnosis bears little resemblance to hypnotherapy. Watching a stage hypnotist mesmerize an audience can be very amusing and fascinating to witness, but it is definitely not hypnotherapy, every person chosen by the entertainer is a willing volunteer who agrees to take part in the entertainment, and is eager and willing to do crazy things. The stage hypnotist selects only those volunteers who are most eager to perform as they are sure to provide the best entertainment for the audience. Stage hypnosis is very much part of the entertainment business. No one can be hypnotized against their will. The word ‘hypnosis’ derives from Hypnos, the Greek god of sleep but most people experiencing hypnosis are far from actually sleeping. The term ‘hypnosis’ was only coined in 1840 by Dr James Braid who was a Scottish physician and who developed it into a medical technique, but hypnotic or suggestive therapy is the oldest of all healing techniques. From the “Sleep Temples” of Egypt through the histories of ancient Greece and Rome, some form of hypnosis has been an intimate part of many ancient cultures. Being hypnotised is not like sleep as the client is awake the whole time, it may feel to the client like day dreaming, losing their self in a good book, watching TV or for some people being in hypnosis does not seem much different to how they feel at other times. A person in hypnosis is fully conscious but able to tune out any stimuli around them, like doors slamming, children shouting and dogs barking. A hypnotherapist uses hypnotherapy to give relevant, positive beneficial suggestions to help an individual bring about a change they desire, hypnosis is not something one person dose to another but rather a natural state, and while in this state your body de-stresses, recharges, and achieves restfulness. At the same time, your mind becomes peaceful and calm, attaining heightened self-awareness and inward focus, expanded creativity and enhanced imagination. An example of a hypnoidal state is, while watching a movie, the imaginary world can seem somewhat real, in the sense your emotions become engaged, and even though you know that the people on the screen are actors following a script you still cry, become happy, sad or even feel scared, this can be categorized as a form of self hypnosis, a trance state of Waking Hypnosis. While the client is in a hypnosis state and very relaxed they are very responsive to an idea or image but this does not mean that the hypnotist can control the person, or the persons free will, this is not possible, hypnosis is not brain washing or mind control. It is not possible for a hypnotist to take over a client or direct them against their will. The client is always the navigator. The client is never unconscious or unaware and only ever goes as deeply relaxed as they allow themselves to be, they are always in control and will never accept any suggestion that conflicts with their ethical or religious beliefs, personal preferences, desires, responsibilities or well-being. They will remember what was said that is important for them to remember, done, or experienced. The hypnotist does not possess any special power which forces the client to submit to his or her will. The hypnotist merely guides the client gently into a hypnotic state, and feeds their sub-conscious mind with carefully worded positive suggestions to help them to achieve their goals. The client cannot “get stuck” in the hypnosis state, If the hypnotherapist were suddenly called away, the client would simply and easily come out of the relaxed state and wake up, or fall off into a natural sleep and wake up as they normally would. Being hypnotized does not leave you open to any wild suggestions as your conscious mind will simply reject it and you will come out of hypnosis immediately. In other words, hypnosis can be used to create change, but ...only when the client is genuinely ready for the change. Hypnotherapy is used in a number of fields including psychotherapy, surgery, dentistry, research, and medicine. Hypnotherapy is commonly used as an alternative treatment for a wide range of health conditions, including weight control, pain management, and smoking, It is also used to control pain in a variety of conditions such as headaches, arthritis, burns, musculoskeletal disorders, childbirth and helping patients overcome phobias and has been shown to help those who suffer from performance anxiety, such as in sports, and speaking in public. In more general areas, hypnotherapy has been found to be beneficial for problems such as motivation, procrastination, decision making, personal achievement and development, job performance, buried memories, relaxation, and stress management. Hypnotherapy is in no way a miracle cure and to be effective, your client needs to participate actively in the treatment and be motivated to make the changes that will help them. However, compared to some other therapies, it is quick, and they may not need many sessions depending on the issue.