What is Hypnosis?
The term 'hypnosis' (from the Greek
'hypnos', meaning 'sleep') was coined circa 1840 by Dr James Braid, a
Scottish physician. Healing by trance state (or an altered state of
awareness) is among the oldest phenomena known to man and is found, in
one form or another, in virtually every culture throughout the world.
It could also be legitimately described as the original psychological
therapy. Although Derived from the Greek word meaning sleep, the
hypnotic state is, in most respects, entirely dissimilar to sleep.
At
our current level of knowledge, the phenomenon of hypnosis is described
as a state of mind, enhanced by (although not exclusively) mental and
physical relaxation, in which our subconscious is able to communicate
with our conscious mind. It may be better to define 'hypnosis' by what
it does rather than what it is and in this regard, it is widely
accepted as a most excellent method by which we may access our inner
potential. The state of mind referred to may be brought about either by
oneself, unaided (self-hypnosis) or with the help of another person. If
this other person is a trained professional, who utilises the resultant
state of mind to encourage beneficial change to occur, the process is
referred to as 'Hypnotherapy'.
What is Hypnotherapy?
Psychological
therapy and counseling is the treatment of emotional and psychological
disorders, unwanted habits and undesirable feelings, using
psychological techniques alone. The aim of all such therapy is to
assist people (usually referred to as clients) in finding meaningful
alternatives to their present unsatisfactory ways of thinking, feeling
or behaving. Therapy also tends to help clients become more accepting
both of themselves and others and can be most useful in promoting
personal development and unlocking inner potential.
There are
many forms of psychological therapy but Hypnotherapy is distinctive in
that it attempts to address the client's subconscious mind. Analytical
techniques may also be employed in an attempt to uncover problems
deemed to lie in a client's past (referred to as the 'there and then')
or therapy may concentrate more on a client's current life and
presenting problems (referred to as the 'here and now'). It is
generally considered helpful if the client is personally motivated to
change (rather than relying solely on the therapist's efforts) although
a belief in the possibility of beneficial change may be a sufficient
starting point.
Regardless of the techniques employed, perhaps
the most important thing is that a client should expect to feel
comfortable and at ease with their therapist. This is of particular
importance in Hypnotherapy, in which the value of the treatment is
greatly enhanced when there is confidence in the practitioner.
Unlike many other psychological therapies, Hypnotherapy is generally
considered to be a fairly short-term approach in which beneficial
change, if it is to occur, should become apparent within a relatively
few sessions.
N.B.
In actual practice, most Hypnotherapists will combine hypnotic
procedures with other appropriate counseling and therapeutic
techniques. Should there be any doubt about the combination of skills
utilised in individual cases, the therapist should be asked directly
for a further explanation of their preferred methodology.
Who can be hypnotised?
The
answer to this question is undoubtedly 'virtually everyone'. This claim
must, however, be qualified by the observation that some are more
readily hypnotisable than others and that it will also depend upon
one's willingness to be hypnotised at the time. This willingness will
itself depend upon a number of factors, including the strength of the
person's particular need and their trust and confidence in the
therapist concerned. A corollary to this question is 'What level of
trance is required in order to achieve a beneficial outcome?' Although
there remains some disagreement over the answer, most researchers
concur that the actual level (or depth) of trance obtained does not
relate to the beneficial results that might be obtained. In practice,
this means that even where a person feels that they have not been
hypnotised, given time (and this is a very important factor), the
desired outcome of therapy might yet materialise. . Hypnotherapy can be
extraordinarily effective but it is not magic. However, if the right
ingredients are present, if the time is right and if a suitable
practitioner can be found with whom the client is willing to work, then
all their (realistic) goals are achievable.
Who may benefit from Hypnotherapy?
Again,
the answer to this question is 'virtually everyone'. Given that
hypnotherapy can be utilised to access a person's inner potential and
that probably no one is performing to their actual potential, then this
answer is literally true. However, it is not just potential which
Hypnotherapy is well placed to address but also one's inner resources
to effect beneficial change. In this regard, it is the innate healing
capacity of our own body that may be stimulated by Hypnotherapy.
Consequently, the list of problems which may be amenable to
Hypnotherapy is far too long and varied to catalogue but certainly
includes: stress, anxiety, panic, phobias, unwanted habits and
addictions (e.g. smoking, overeating, alcoholism), disrupted sleep
patterns, lack of confidence and low self-esteem, fear of examinations
and public speaking, allergies and skin disorders, migraine and
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Additionally, it has proved of value
within surgery, where normal anaesthetics have not been practical, in
the wider sphere of pain management and in the areas of both sporting
and artistic performance enhancement. As an adjunct to other counseling
techniques, it can also assist in helping to resolve relationship
difficulties and be useful within anger management strategies.
Although
there remain many other areas of human suffering in which Hypnotherapy
may bring relief, there are instances in which it may be
contra-indicated. These include some manifestations of psychosis (e.g.
schizophrenia)
Some Common Concerns
People are
sometimes concerned that they will 'lose control' in hypnosis. However,
regardless of how deeply people may go in hypnosis and however passive
they may appear to be, they actually remain in full control of the
situation. They are fully able to talk if they wish to (or not, as the
case may be) and can stand up and leave the room at any time. Neither
can a hypnotised person be made to do anything against their usual
ethical or moral judgement or religious belief. It is likely that the
notion of a loss of control stems from most people's misconception of
stage hypnosis, wherein participants are apparently made to perform all
manner of (usually foolish) acts. However, the reader should be aware
that participation in a stage act is an entirely voluntary process
(thus 'permission' is already given to the hypnotist) and that there
can be no such volunteer who is unaware of exactly what they are
letting themselves in for!
About NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming)
"NLP is an attitude and a methodology that leaves behind a trail of techniques" - Richard Bandler (co-creator of NLP)
Neuro-Linguistic
Programming, NLP, has discovered how people learn, how they think; how
some do things excellently, and how to replicate their success. NLP is
the difference that makes the difference between those who excel and
those who only get by in the way they communicate, their relationships,
in how they motivate, influence, negotiate, lead, and empower.
NLP
(Neuro-Linguistic Programming) enables you to achieve personal goals
more quickly and effectively than ever before. In other words, you can
do more of what you want, know more, get more and, especially, be what
you want.
NLP will show you the way to:
- have a positive mental attitude
- increase your self-esteem
- overcome the effects of past negative experiences
- focus on goals and channel your energy into achieving them
- control the way you feel
- change unwanted habits
- feel confident in whatever you attempt to do
- perform at your best
- achieve goals you previously considered impossible
- find creative ways to solve problems
- enjoy activities you used to fear
- increase your sense of purpose in life