What is hypnosis?
Hypnosis, also called hypnotherapy, is a state of deep relaxation and
focused concentration. It’s a type of mind-body medicine.
I will guide you into this deep state of focus and relaxation with verbal
cues, repetition and imagery. When you’re under hypnosis, this
intense level of concentration and focus allows you to ignore ordinary
distractions and be more open to guided suggestions to make
changes to improve your health.
How does hypnosis work?
How hypnosis works isn’t completely understood. However, it’s
commonly believed that in the deep state of focus and relaxation
that’s achieved with hypnosis:
- Your conscious mind is quieted.
- You’re able to tap into the part of your brain where your
thoughts, beliefs, perceptions, sensations, emotions, memory
and behaviors originate. - In this state, you’re more open to gentle guidance from me to
help you modify or replace the unconscious thoughts that are
driving your current behavior.
What are some myths about hypnosis?
Myth: Hypnosis isn’t real. It’s a form of entertainment. - Hypnosis isn’t a stage act or some magical act. Clinical hypnosis
is a type of medical therapy that’s often used as part of a
treatment plan that includes traditional medical approaches.
Myth: You lose consciousness or have amnesia when you’re
hypnotized. - Most people remember everything that happens during
hypnosis. You remain aware of who you are, where you are and
remember what happened during a hypnosis session.
Myth: You’re under the control of your hypnotherapist when
you’re hypnotized. - Your hypnotist or hypnotherapist guides hypnosis, but hypnosis
is something you do for yourself. You can’t be made to do
anything against your will. You won’t reveal any information
that you wished to remain secret. You don’t lose control over
your behavior. Hypnosis makes it easier to experience
suggestions but doesn’t force you to have certain experiences.
Myth: Hypnosis is nothing more than deep sleep. - Hypnosis isn’t sleeping. There are some deeper forms of
hypnosis that could make you appear to be asleep because your
body is very still and quiet, but you aren’t asleep.
What conditions is hypnosis helpful in treating?
Hypnotherapy may help treat any number of medical conditions in
which psychological factors influence physical symptoms.
Common mental health uses include: - Stress and anxiety, especially before medical or dental
procedures; panic attacks; and post-traumatic stress syndrome
(PTSD). - Phobias.
- Behavior control issues, including giving up smoking, losing
weight and enuresis (bedwetting).
Common medical uses include: - Insomnia.
- Asthma.
- Hot flashes during menopause.
- Gastrointestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome
(IBS). - Pain control, including after surgery, childbirth, cancer,
fibromyalgia, burns and headaches (migraine and tension). - Skin conditions, including warts and psoriasis.
- Side effects of cancer chemotherapy or radiation treatment,
including nausea and vomiting.
Hypnosis continues to be explored for use in these and many other
medical conditions.
How do people describe the hypnotic experience?
People describe hypnosis in different ways. You may feel like you’re
“zoned in” or in a trance-like state — so focused that you’re able to
block out surrounding distractions. Have you ever been so focused on
a TV show or so entrenched in a good book that you don’t hear your
family talking around you or even your dog barking? This experience
is somewhat similar to how you might feel while hypnotized. Many
people say they feel calm and relaxed despite their increased
concentration. Most described it as a pleasant experience.
What typically happens during a hypnotic session?
There are four stages of hypnosis: induction, deepener, suggestions
and emergence.
Induction
During this stage, you begin to relax, focus your attention and ignore
distractions. I will guide you through this stage with specific
techniques such as controlled breathing , or progressive muscle
relaxation (tensing muscles as you breathe in and relaxing muscles as
you breathe out, then repeating in a certain order of muscle groups
throughout your body) or focusing on a visual image.
Deepener
This stage continues the first stage, taking your relaxation and focus
to a deeper level. This step often involves counting down or using
similar descending imagery such as walking down stairs or slowly
sinking deeper and deeper into a comfortable bed. These first two
stages are aimed at easing your openness to suggestions.
Suggestions
This is the stage for actual change in experience, behavior or
perception. I will use imagery and carefully chosen language. The
suggestions are usually symptom focused (to resolve a symptom) or
exploratory (to explore experiences associated with the start of
symptoms). Suggested changes may be in perception, sensation,
emotion, memory, thought or behavior. - Example: To quit smoking, you’ll learn to identify your triggers
to want to smoke, learn positive ways to change, understand
resources to effect change, disrupt your pattern, attach a better
response, notice the difference and install the changed
behavior. You may be encouraged to see your “old” self with
black lungs in a mirror behind you and see your “new” healthy
self with clean lungs in a mirror in front. You’ll then be guided to
choose which self you like and to walk toward that self.
Emergence
During this stage, you come out of hypnosis. Your hypnotist may use
reverse deepeners, such as giving you the suggestions that you’re
climbing up stairs or counting up.
Is hypnosis used as the sole treatment?
Hypnosis is usually used along with other therapies and treatments,
as part of a complete total treatment plan. The decision to use
hypnotherapy in a clinical setting as a sole treatment or as an add-on
treatment in psychotherapy or traditional medicine is made in
consultation with a qualified professional who’s trained in the use
and limitations of hypnotherapy.
What’s the typical length of treatment with hypnotherapy?
There’s no typical length. Treatment varies depending on what and
how severe the issue is. Hypnotherapy may take many sessions.
RISKS / BENEFITS
Does hypnotherapy work?
Despite its use since the 1700s, hypnotherapy continues to have
skeptics in the medical community. However, it’s becoming a more
accepted and recognized form of therapy. The number of certified
and licensed medical professionals incorporating hypnotherapy in
their practice is increasing.
Scientific evidence supporting the benefits of hypnotherapy has been
limited, but is growing. Some studies show “promising” results or
“may be helpful in” conclusions. The strongest evidence supporting
the use of hypnotic treatments comes from research on hypnosis for
treating pain, IBS and PTSD symptoms. Most medical associations
and organizations state that more studies are needed to draw
meaningful conclusions about the effectiveness of hypnotherapy.
Can anyone be hypnotized?
Each person differs in their ability to be hypnotized. A person’s fears
or concerns about hypnosis may interfere with their ability to be
hypnotized.
What type of person benefits the most from hypnosis?
The person most likely to benefit is the person who’s highly
motivated to overcome an issue. Like any other treatment, hypnosis
may be helpful for certain conditions or in certain people, but it can
also be unhelpful.
Is hypnotherapy inappropriate for some people or in certain
situations?
Hypnosis may not be appropriate for people with severe mental
health issues, such as psychotic symptoms, including hallucinations
and delusions. It might also be inappropriate for someone who uses
drugs or alcohol. The use of hypnosis for memory retrieval is largely
unsupported by research. Caution is also advised regarding its use in
managing stressful events from early life. The use of hypnosis in these
situations may create false memories, especially if unintended
suggestions are given, and could cause more distress and anxiety.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is hypnotherapy dangerous?
Hypnotherapy is a safe procedure when done by a trained therapist.
Hypnotherapy isn’t mind control or brainwashing. Your therapist
can’t make you do something embarrassing or something you don’t
want to do.
Is self-hypnosis possible?
Yes, it’s possible to practice self-hypnosis. Deep breathing, imagery,
progressive muscle relaxation and mindfulness techniques may work
similarly to aspects of hypnosis. This can be particularly useful for
controlling the side effects of chemotherapy or managing recurring
(repeating) health issues, such as headache pain.
What is sleep hypnosis?
Sleep hypnosis is using hypnotherapy to manage sleep problems,
such as insomnia and sleep anxiety. It’s not about helping you sleep
during a hypnotherapy session. Sleep hypnotherapy helps you work
on the underlying issues that prevent you from getting quality sleep.
Sleep hypnotherapy may be used along with other treatments, such
as cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia