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HYPNOSIS FAQ's
Susan Burns, MA, LMHC,
NCC, CEAP
What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a sate of relaxation, where the mind rests and allows the
subconscious mind part to communicate without the blocks of the
conscious mind.
Decreasing the chatter of the conscious mind, allows access to the rich world of
the subconscious mind.
Hypnosis uses the power of suggestion and trance-like
states to effect positive change.
It safely accesses the deepest levels of the
mind to effect positive changes in a person’s behavior and to treat a wide range
of conditions. The physical effects of hypnosis, such as
changes in vital signs and subtle eye movements are easily observable, but the
feeling is one of deep relaxation. Hypnosis can lead to positive changes in
behavior. Hypnotherapy is the use of the state of attentive and focused
concentration to therapeutic ends depending on the history and goals of the
client.
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The mind can be self healing
with hypnosis.
See also a description of a variety of
Counseling Services
and their respective links in this site.
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The mind, which connects our brain
and body into a whole, is a powerful natural tool for healing. |
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Hypnosis is a natural state of mind that is different from waking or sleeping. Our brain waves show a deep level of
relaxation and synchrony when we are in the sate of hypnosis. We have probably been hypnotized thousands of
times in our live without really being aware of it. It is deep trance as is the trance that happens in falling in love, reading a powerful book, or having a feeling evoked form watching a movie. When we are
in a state of hypnosis, because our perception is so fine, we also sometimes have access to
information that we block out with our conscious mind.
Some people think of hypnosis as stage hypnosis where people are made
suggestively to do silly things to entertain the audience. This kind of hypnosis
is different and is not therapeutic. Therapeutically, hypnosis can be used for
deep healing, to change bad habits, for overcoming addictions, and to get in
touch with deep feelings at the root of these problems and to understand the
beliefs that drive them. That way we can change them.
Since hypnosis does not involve the analytical thinking
of the mind but rather bypasses it to the more intuitive, sensing, feeling, and
relational capacities of the mind.
Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapy is the sophisticated application of the laws
of the mind to work directly and effectively applying the laws of the mind to
remove psychological blocks and heal deeply.
When the analytical thinking of the mind is at rest (10%
of the mind that thinks, plans, and memorizes), what is felt is a deep sense of
peace and what is experienced is an acute sense of awareness of the hidden
language of the mind. This is the subconscious language of symbols, metaphors,
images, and feelings perception. We can easily access our emotions through
hypnotic trance. In this state, a person is in control at all times, fully able
to talk and direct therapy.
Thus the subconscious mind (nonverbal in nature but
responsible for 90% of our life patterns of perception and reaction) becomes
highly responsive to suggestion. It is here that we can alter, change, and
accept our emotions. The
Laws of
the Mind are universal principles of belief and action which shape our
patterns of thinking and can be worked with to create healing and change.
What is The
Subconscious
Getting to know the
subconscious mind is getting to know your true
self. The subconscious is the gate keeper of the
mind. It is the driving force behind the ego that makes all decisions. The
decisions have no strength without the support and agreement of the
subconscious. The subconscious mind is that part
of our mind that was formed with emotions and impressions, and deep seated
beliefs. the language of the subconscious is metaphor, image, symbol, and
emotion.
Is Hypnosis Safe?
The client is absolutely safe. Hypnosis feels much like the space between waking
and sleeping with a heightened sense of awareness and sensitivity to the
surroundings, including inner sensations. One has full control of a process that
feels like relaxing flow. Self monitoring the process will tend to interrupt the
benefit. The benefit of the choice to relax the mind becomes very apparent.
There can be no hypnosis unless the client is willing to participate in their
process. Entering the hypnotic state is very natural and very simple with a few
words or actions from the therapist.
Who Benefits from Hypnosis?
Children
Adults
Couples
Groups
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is the use of therapeutic hypnosis to bring about behavioral change
It results from the simple shifting back and forth between the conscious and the
subconscious mind, a natural process that we naturally participate daily without
effort. Since hypnosis does not involve the analytical thinking of the mind but
rather bypasses it to the more intuitive, sensing, feeling, and relational
capacities of the mind, we can use hypnosis for behavioral change by contacting
a person through this language.
Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapy
Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapy involves
using hypnosis for healing mind and body integratively. It requires in
depth training as psychotherapist and advanced hypnotherapy techniques. Deep
emotional states are accessed and healed. The clinician uses he client's own
emotional process to access deep, hidden beliefs, and move through subconscious
resistance, and learn effective tools for personal application.
How does
Hypnosis differ from Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapy
Hypnosis is a deep state of relaxation where the mind is
open to suggestion and deeper states of inner knowing become more apparent.
There are different levels of relaxation. The clinician assists the client to be
able to interface with suggestions and access inner material dependent on this
level, directly communicating with the subconscious mind. Strategies for
communicating with the mind are employed.
Advanced clinical hypnotherapy involves working effectively managing the trance
state of hypnosis at the various levels with strategies that allow for deep
healing and personal integration. The clinical is skilled in psychological
counseling and working with deep emotional states.
- Phobias and Anxieties
- Emotional Blocks
- Overcoming Addictions
- Alcohol and Substance Abuse
- Psychosomatic illnesses
- Pain Management
- Changing Limiting Beliefs
- Smoking Cessation
- Weight Management
- Compulsive Behavior
- Regressions to the Past
- Emotional Release
- Healing Depression
- Grief and Loss
- Releasing Anxiety
- Managing Stress
- Spiritual Attunement
- Trauma
- Unwanted Habits
- Emotional Blocks
- Learning and Memory
- Unwanted Habits
- Self Esteem
How Frequent Are Sessions?
Hypnosis is often integrated into the context of a client’s therapy.
Sometimes it replaces counseling, but most often it is in conjunction with
counseling. The frequency is the client’s choice but many habit management
programs are 4-6 weeks. Sometimes emotional blocks are so effective with one
session that a client feels complete. During hypnosis there is an ease of flow
between the therapist and the client in a relaxed comfortable environment. The
client’s needs and concerns are completely addressed. Sometimes a session can be
so effective that the client feels they are complete. Other times a client will
prefer more frequent sessions. A smoking cessation, weight management program,
or addiction treatment usually takes 4-8 sessions.
How Long is a Session?
A session can be as short as 10 minutes and as long as 2 hours,
depending on the client’s goal. Often multiple strategies and techniques will be
included in a session so that the client can integrate the experience in a
beneficial and lasting way. The most effective approach is with emotional
release where deep feelings are worked with for lasting change. In this case,
blocking out a 2 hour period of time for a session conducted in 1.5 hours is
ideal.
Hypno-Behavioral Therapy
It is in the subconscious mind that emotions can be experienced, changed and
accepted. In addition, the subconscious mind also holds our habits and beliefs.
Most people try to change their habits on the conscious level of functioning.
Hypnosis works to change habits and beliefs of the subconscious level where
they're stored.
Hypno-behavioral therapy is directed to revealing the source of feelings leading
to dysfunctional patterns. It is directed to releasing blocked energy in a
productive way. It can be used to extinguish unproductive feelings and to learn
new ways of expressing emotions. Hypno-behavioral therapy is an excellent tool
for releasing deep seated emotions that negatively influence self and others,
for changing negative attitudes and habits that are often deeply ingrained
through past stress and trauma. It is completely safe and very results oriented.
It is highly experiential and client centered, often proving amazing results.
What is a Treatment
Goal?
There are many approaches to treating a person using hypnosis. Practitioners use
various styles according to their training and preferences. They can also use
various techniques based on treatment objectives. it is important to establish
trust. A good approach is one that considers various methods and strategies
according to the individual needs and desires of the client. Hypnosis can be
used to heal in a very direct, concrete manner using suggestion or it can be
used more abstractly to creatively engage the subconscious into experiential
insight and emotional release. This is why it is effective with addictions,
anxieties, and mental health. It is important
for a client to establish the intention of the work with the therapist.
A knowledgeable practitioner will guide the client to choose objectives safely
and for the best, most rapid results. Pacing is very important as well as
psychological background. The client sets his/her own intention for
transformation.
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