Understanding Hypnosis
Understanding Hypnosis
Hypnosis and its uses in the practice of hypnotherapy is rapidly emerging as a highly effective science in solving the problems of people. It can be very beneficial in many cases as a therapy in itself. It is a valuable adjunct in psychotherapy and psychiatry. Yet it is probably the lowest risk procedure available from the standpoint of contraindications. Yet few therapeutic procedures are less understood, or more plagued by misconceptions and misunderstandings. Before considering what hypnosis is, perhaps it would be appropriate to establish what it is not! Most hypnotherapists, on interviewing a new client, will ask the client what he or she thinks hypnosis is. Replies range from sleep, to unconsciousness, to surrender of mental power and control, to magic, to voodoo. All are in error. Hypnosis cannot be sleep. In most cases the subject is fully aware of communication and is able to respond on request either verbally or by signal. Nor is unconsciousness involved. A subject asked to make a specific movement will comply with the request unless it is objectionable, in which case there will be a refusal. There is no surrender of mind or control. A person who does not want to be hypnotized cannot be hypnotized or be induced to do or say anything which violates personal standard of behaviour or integrity. There is neither magic nor voodoo involved. Any hypnotherapist can explain the actions or behaviours seen in stage, film or television shows, where the subject seems to follow directions mindlessly. Actually, hypnosis is better described than defined. It is often considered an altered state of consciousness featuring selective perception, a process in which the subject (who is in control) chooses to see only what is relevant to his task, blocking out everything else. Hypnosis involves guided concentration. The guidance, however, may be provided by a qualified practitioner or, in the case of selfhypnosis, by the individual subject.
Self-hypnosis, which can be taught by a properly certified hypnotherapist and learned by virtually any client, can provide the recipient with a lifetime of benefit.
becomes overloaded, the subconscious prepares us for what is considered appropriate action (usually fight or flight) However the subconscious mind does not analyse, as does the conscious mind, but accepts all messages in the literal sense. In essence, hypnosis is a means of communication between the conscious mind and the subconscious mind. Many human problems, habits, stresses, anxieties, attitudes or apparent deficiencies can be traced to interpretations by the subconscious mind which, when understood by the conscious mind, can reduce or resolve specific problems. The subconscious is also the seat of all memory. Traumatic events can be buried or suppressed in the subconscious. A major benefit of hypnotherapy is its ability to uncover and bring into the light of understanding the buried information or experience which may be the cause of a troublesome disorder.
DOES IT WORK?
The subconscious mind receives and retains, neither accepting nor rejecting, all the messages we receive from your backgrounds, whether genetic, social, religious or experiential, plus all the conflicts (little or big) that enter our lives daily. When for whatever reason the conscious mind (which deals with everyday living, logic, reason, etc)