ABOUT HYPNOTHERAPY

Hypnosis is a process that involves a combination of deep relaxation and suggestion. It has existed in various forms for thousands of years. It’s more recent development began in the 1800’s. Back then the technique was very different. It was seen as something quite mystical and unusual. Often something like a fob watch was used to get the person focus in on one thing, various other techniques were used that added to the mystique surrounding hypnosis. Since then some incredible claims have been made about hypnosis and what can be achieved with it. It has been used for everything from entertainment, to retracing memories, and treatment of emotional and behavioural problems.

The term hypnotherapy is used to describe hypnosis used for the treatment of emotional and behavioural problems.

Today it is used by professionals like doctors and psychologists to assist their clients in achieving their goals.

MYTHS ABOUT HYPNOTHERAPY

Due to the publicity hypnosis receives there is a wide range of thoughts and fears about hypnosis. Some of the most common are:

1.  I will lose control over what’s happening in my mind.

Nobody need ever lose control whilst under hypnotherapy. In fact, many people have quite a clear awareness of what has happened. They may feel things like heaviness or lightness, loss of track of time, or other physical reactions. These sensations usually pass quickly after the hypnotherapy.

2.  I won’t have to do any work to solve my problems.

Following hypnotherapy, most people have to take an active role in changes they are trying to achieve. Smokers, for example, have to find other things to do with their smoking time.

3.  I will not remember anything that happens when I’m "under" afterwards.

The amount that people remember from hypnotherapy varies. Mostly people will remember some of what has been said. For the rest of the time they find their thoughts wander and they are aware of not actively listening to the hypnotherapist. Also, many people find that they do not go into a deep trance if the experience seems too bizarre.

4.  I will be able to remember what ever I want under hypnotherapy.

Many people think that hypnotherapy can be used to access memories of past events that they cannot fully remember. The successfulness of this varies greatly. It tends to work best when a person has pieces of memories, but just need to complete the details.

5.  Everything that I remember under hypnotherapy will be 100% accurate.

This is a hotly debated area. Memories retrieved through hypnosis are now considered too unreliable to be admitted into evidence in court. Problems such as invented memories (memories formed from a combination of real experiences, details from conversation, ideas from thinking, and dream experiences), and deliberate attempts to implant memories add to the unreliability of anything retrieved through hypnotherapy. Rest assured though, that it is unethical for a psychologist to try to implant memories using hypnosis. The consequence to the psychologist could be to lose his or her license to practice psychology.

SO WHAT IS HYPNOTHERAPY?

There are 2 main approaches to hypnotherapy. Classical methods (that emerged in the 1800’s) are more directive. They point clients towards specific experiences. For example, in the early stages of the induction the therapist may use phrases like "Your eyes are feeling sleepy". Eriksonian techniques are described as indirect. They don’t tell people what they will experience, they suggest people notice what they are experiencing.

Both methods involve inducing a trance and using suggestions to help a person achieve goals.

In choosing a hypnotherapist you should contact the person doing the hypnotherapy. Ask questions about their experience, their approach and their expectations regarding treatment for your specific problem.

Hypnotherapy is commonly used for problems like:

• Stopping habits like smoking, alcohol abuse or gambling
• Improving sleep
• Anxiety reduction and relaxation
• Performance enhancement (for example: in sport or public speaking)
• Pain management
• Sexual problems like impotence