If you are reading this because you are curious about trance or are afraid of the trance experience because you have seen people doing funny things on stage, then let me assure you that this is indeed a very safe, pleasant experience. And no, most of us, there might be some whom I do not know about, do not work with swinging watches.

What is hypnosis?

Firstly, let me reassure you that hypnosis or trance is an everyday experience. It has been described as “a state of relaxation and concentration at one with a state of heightened awareness induced by suggestion.” A very pleasant experience is how most clients describe it. Self-hypnosis can be learnt very easily and quickly.

Daydreaming, losing track of time when engrossed in an interesting conversation, film or book, going on autopilot – these are a few examples of hypnosis in our everyday lives.

Milton Erickson, considered to be the father of modern clinical hypnosis, said that trance is a common experience. He cites the example of a football fan watching TV. The football fan is aware of the game but not aware of his body sitting in the chair or his wife calling him to dinner.

What is hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is the therapeutic use of hypnosis to bring about a positive change for the client and can be divided into 2 very distinct categories.

Change usually involves:-

• Stopping an undesirable behaviour or habit
• Breaking free from limiting and negative beliefs
• Resolving internal conflicts that tugs and pulls us in different directions
• Releasing emotional pain that sometimes gets trapped in parts of the body
• Leading a more active, productive and healthy lifestyle with more energy
• Being happy, content and accepting of ourselves and others

Most of my clients have tried other means of self-help and hypnotherapy is usually their last resort. Most are pleasantly surprised and pleased when change starts to take place rather quickly.

Hypnotherapy, the use the therapeutic use of hypnosis for positive benefit can be divided into 2 very distinct categories

Suggestion therapy is a straightforward technique that is used for simple problems such as smoking, nail-biting, pre-test nerves, relaxation, public speaking etc., and requires between 1 to 3 sessions with perhaps a booster later on. This therapy is used in conjunction with creative visualisation and neurolinguistic programming.

Analytical therapy also called hypnoanalysis is used to discover the causes of emotional problems. Hypnoanalysis can be summarised briefly as the therapy of cause and effect: every effect (i.e. symptom) must have a cause. Hypnoanalysis reveals and thus removes the cause and consequently relieves the symptom.

Phobias, anxiety and panic attacks, mild depression, lack of confidence and self esteem respond well to hypnoanalysis.

The use of analysis in hypnosis dramatically speeds up therapy and results can be achieved in a matter of weeks rather than years as in the case of conventional analysis.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS