What is Hypnotherapy?

Many people believe that they have never been hypnotized, but will acknowledge having drifted off while thinking about a loved one,  go on auto pilot while driving, or 'going somewhere else' while reading a book. These are all examples of natural mental states that occur for all of us. One of the wonderful things about hypnosis is that in the hands of a reputable practitioner it is harmless and produces no damaging side effects, while providing rapid and substantial positive therapeutic benefits.

Contrary to popular belief, hypnosis is not a state of deep sleep. It does involve the induction of a trance-like condition characterized by:

* Feelings of well-being
* Increased muscle relaxation
* Decreased awareness of body sensations, such as pain
* Diminished ability to vocalize

The common misconception is that while in this trance-like condition the person is oblivious to everything around them and is under the "control" of the hypnotherapist.  This perception is quite the opposite of what truly happens.  Under hypnosis the client is in an enhanced state of awareness, fully alert and aware and with total concentration and focus on the hypnotist’s voice. In this state, the conscious mind is suppressed and the subconscious mind is directly accessed.

Hypnotherapy is a two-way process between the practitioner and the client. A person cannot be hypnotized unless he or she agrees and fully cooperates.  Also, while in a hypnotic trance state, nobody can make you do anything which you do not want to do.  The creation of a trance-like state alters our state of consciousness in such a way that the analytical left-hand side of the brain is turned off, while the non-analytical right-hand side is made more alert and receptive. The conscious processes of the mind are inhibited, and the subconscious mind is more directly accessible.  The hypnotherapist is then able to suggest ideas, concepts and lifestyle adaptations to the client, the seeds of which become firmly planted in long-term memory.

Hypnotherapy is a powerful procedure which can be used by itself in a wide range treatment goals. Traditional therapy procedures spend numerous sessions investigating root causes, attached emotional content, and secondary gains.  Traditional therapy procedures slowly and arduously work through insights and emotions with analysis and desensitization in a process that is slow and ineffective because it is attempting to work directly with the conscious analytical mind.  Hypnotherapy produces results that are often immediate and dramatic by bypassing the conscious mind and directly implanting the desired goal concepts within the long-term memory of the sub-conscious mind.

Can everyone be Hypnotized?

To varying degrees almost everyone can be hypnotized. The exceptions are people with low IQs, people who are suffering from some psychological disorders such as schizophrenia and people who consciously do not want to be hypnotized.

How does Hypnotherapy work?

The subconscious part of your mind is like a mini-computer that stores your memory and behavioral patterns as well as automatic bodily functions (heart rate) and learned responses (fear of exams). The subconscious is resistant to change which is why we get stuck in old patterns. Using relaxation techniques a Hypnotherapist is able to guide you into a relaxed state which frees your subconscious to be more receptive to new information. While in this relaxed state the Hypnotherapist can reinforce new behaviors and goals by amplifying your concentration and focus and reducing your psychological and/or emotional barriers so you can achieve your goals with enhanced motivation and ease.

Does Hypnotherapy really work?

Yes, hypnotherapy really works. Hypnotherapy may not solve every problem, but it will be of value in almost every situation. Many scientifically designed studies have shown the effectiveness of hypnotherapy.

What effect does stress have on my health?

In our fast-paced contemporary lifestyle no one is immune to stress. But when stress becomes a persistent negative factor in your life, it can cause a collapse of your body's defenses, which in turn causes a breakdown in your resistance to illness, disease, chronic conditions and mental disorders. The environment and your genetics are other contributing factors to how you handle stress. Stress can be intensified, however, by your attitudes and beliefs about yourself, your environment and your life; by how much control, or lack of control, you perceive you have over your life; and how you have been conditioned by your family, your social group and your culture to respond to stress. Physical afflictions resulting from stress include: headaches, chronic pain, arthritis, colitis, diarrhea, asthma, cardiac arrhythmia, peptic ulcers, circulatory problems, muscle tension and even cancer. The relaxation benefits from hypnotherapy can significantly reduce and may even reverse the ravages of stress on your bodies and on your emotional and psychological health.

Will it work for my particular problem?

Hypnotherapy has been shown to be effective in many areas. A few are listed below: