Hypnotherapy For Health
What is Hypnosis
Hypnosis is generally believed to be an 'altered
state of awareness' , an ' altered
state of consciousness', a dream-like state.
A state during which the conscious, critical, analytical,
mind, is slipped to the side allowing easier access
to the unconscious mind. It is a state that is different
- Both - from the normal waking state
and from any stages of sleep. The strongest evidence
for this comes from examining Electroencephalogram
(EEG) brain wave tracings which show that the brain
is much more active during hypnosis than at any other
time.
When the hypnotic state is induced, the individual begins
to looks inwards rather than outwards, thus allowing
the inner or subconscious mind to predominate. As this
occurs, the Ego or Self becomes more receptive to ideas
and suggestions, resulting in the suspension of critical
judgement, rigorous attachment to reality orientation
and goal directed thinking to varying degrees depending
on the level of hypnosis reached.
Hypnosis and especially Hypnotherapy depend greatly
on Ego Receptivity, the psychological manifestation of
which is that, one allows things to happen rather than
make them happen. During hypnosis, whilst the ego is
in Receptive Mode, attention is diffused, traditional
perceived boundaries are more obtuse, critical analysis
is reduced and the barrier between Conscious and Subconscious
is lowered. This allows sensory experience to dominate
over formal, conceptual thought. with strictly logical
ways of thinking fading into the background.
The resources of a persons life experiences are vast
indeed and are held as Primary Process material. This
data can be accessed by the individual, under the guidance
of the Hypnotherapist, whilst in the hypnotic state thereby
allowing the subject to gain valuable and powerful new
insights into the historical causes and dynamics underlying
behaviour patterns, illnesses and problems.
Regardless of hypnotic depth, Ego Activity is also present
as shown by the active transformation of therapist's
suggestions by subject and in subject's own decision
to change those suggestions.
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Induction
of Hypnosis.
In the therapeutic setting hypnosis is induced in one
person by another through techniques designed to provide
a gradual transition from our usual generalised reality
orientation to the focused orientation characteristic
of hypnosis. During induction and throughout the period
hypnosis is maintained, suggestions given are more readily
accepted, and acted upon more powerfully than when subject
is in the waking state, providing of course, that the
suggestions given are acceptable to subject's own moral
code.
Whilst it is recognised that the following ingredients
i.e. Misdirected attention + belief + expectation
+ imagination = The Hypnotic State, other ' Essential Prerequisites' necessary
for the successful induction of hypnosis in one individual
by another are:
a) Positive Rapport and Trust
b) Strong Motivation for Change
on Client's Part
During hypnosis the Conscious Mind ,
i.e. the Left Hemisphere of the Brain, which is associated
with such functions as Logic, Reasoning, Language and
the power of Criticism is suppressed or relaxed. This
allows increased access to the Subconscious Mind ,
i.e. the Right Brain, whose functions are concerned with
Emotions, Visual Impressions, Imagery, etc., as well
as being the seat of all our Memories, Past Experiences
and Learnings. The degree of access to the Subconscious
however, is related to the degree of suppression of the
Conscious Mind i.e. Critical Mind. This in turn is related
to level of hypnosis obtained by subject.
Levels of Hypnosis : - Light
Medium Deep / Somnambulism
(Approximately) 90% 70-75% 15-20%
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Who Can Be Hypnotised?
Almost everyone with few exceptions e.g.. low IQ < 40
, drug abusers (including Alcoholics) who have
cerebral damage due to their habit, etc.
However, contrary to popular believe, No One can
be hypnotised against their will. The subject remains In
Control throughout the hypnotic session. The
Hypnotherapist only opens the door, it is the subject
who must decide or have the motivation to walk through.
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What is Hypnotherapy
?
Hypnotherapy is a treatment modality with specific therapeutic
aims and specific techniques utilised whilst the subject
is in a state of hypnosis. When access to the Subconscious
is gained through use of hypnosis, a more profound level
of relaxation with a concomitant reduction in stress
levels is achieved which aids in retrieval, resolution
and re-education of old outdated memories, traumas, negative
and distressing emotions, etc.
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Aims of Hypnotherapy
The aim of hypnotherapy is to increase the confidence
level of the individual and to teach him / her an attitude
of hope in the context of mastery. The person learns
to be an active participant on their own behalf, to focus
on creating a solution rather than on enduring a problem,
and to discover and use neglected resources to effect
the changes sought.
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Methods of Applying Hypnotherapy Therapeutically
Ego Strengthening Methods:
The main endeavour here is to use ego-strengthening,
confidence-building suggestions to help the person feel
more self-worth, become more self-confident, more capable
of dealing effectively with problems and to increase
his / her feelings of self-esteem so that challenges
are readily undertaken and perceived problems or changes
are confidently dealt with.
Symptom Removal by Direct Suggestion
Here the therapeutic effort is directed at removing,
altering, or alleviating specific physical or emotional
symptoms by direct suggestion. Unwanted habits can be
removed and pain controlled especially if subject is
strongly motivated to be free of the symptom
Dynamic Insight Methods
Again the aims are symptom relief and ego-strengthening, But
Now , special methods are used to help the
individual identify and understand the long standing
causal effects that create and maintain problems. He
/she is directed to investigate, recognise and work
through underlying conflicts and to achieve a greater
shift towards becoming a more integrated personality.
Psychological factors are doubly involved in all physical
illnesses and disorders where emotional and behavioural
effects stem from the presence of illness or trauma and
in turn contribute to the progress of the condition.
Conversely, it is also the case that all psychological
disorders and problems have physical involvements, manifestations
and symptoms.
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Indications for Hypnotherapy
A subject can be considered suitable for hypnotherapy
if:
The person is responsive to hypnotic induction
methods.
The problem is treatable by hypnotherapy.
The client can relate positively to the therapist.
The individual has motivation to solve problem
both conscious & unconscious.
The use of hypnotherapy for the problem at
hand would not be detrimental e.g. masking
of underlying problems.
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Advantages of Hypnotherapy Include:
Ø There are few risks or side effects.
Ø Frequent rapid response to treatment.
Ø Hypnotherapy promotes positive attitudes
of independence, confidence and competence
in coping with problems.
Ø The increased therapeutic leverage afforded
by hypnosis can often facilitate both
conversion of insight into action and faster relief
of disabling symptoms
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Problems / Illnesses That May Respond to Hypnotherapy
A wide variety of problems and conditions are amenable
to treatment by hypnotherapy. The following is a list
of some of the more common but is by no means exclusive:
Angina, Anxiety, Arthritis, Asthma, Alcoholism, Anorexia
Nervosa, Bulimia, Blood Pressure, Bed-Wetting, Bereavement,
Depression, Driving Test, Exam Nerves: School / Police
/ Nursing / College etc., Insomnia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome,
Lack of Confidence, Learning Difficulties, Migraine,
ME, Nail-Biting, Pain Management, Phobias, Physical Disabilities,
Public Speaking, Pre-Menstrual, Post-Menopausal Problems,
Repressed Grief, Stage Fright, Stress Disorders, Speech
Disorders, Skin Disorders: Dermatitis, Eczema, Warts,
etc., Sports Performance, Obstetrics, Smoking, Weight,
etc.
Hypnotherapy may also assist in conditions such as Cancer,
HIV+ and AIDS, etc
It is Important to Remember However that w hilst No
Curative claims can be made for any of these
illnesses, hypnotherapy has a significant part to play
in assisting in relief of symptoms, developing a more
positive attitude and aiding the individual to come
to terms with their illness or problems, thereby bringing
about marked improvements in subject's quality of life.
The miracle for change is in the courage, determination
and will power of the individual - Hypnotherapy only
a tool.
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Vicki
Watson RGN FNSPH FNCP MGHR SQHP
Founder of the National Society of Professional
Hypnotherapists
&
The Original Twa Acres Clinical Hypnotherapy Training Centre.
Vicki's interest in hypnotherapy
began in the early nineteen sixties when, as a young
nurse on her first night-duty block, she was indeed
fortunate to witness hypnotherapy being instrumental
in helping save a young girl's life. Back then she
believed a miracle had occurred and it was not until
she again was in the position to watch hypnotherapy
being used as a treatment modality by a psychiatrist
that she began to feel very excited about this phenomenal
tool and was stimulated into foraging around for all
available information.
However, it was not until the late seventies, having
completed a hypnotherapy training course in England,
that she decided to set up practise as a clinical hypnotherapist.
At this point two things utterly amazed Vicki; one
was that there was an overwhelming need within the
public for treatment by hypnotherapy. Secondly, she
realised that hypnosis was without doubt the most maligned,
misunderstood and feared of all the healing arts, viewed
more as an entertainment or black art than as the tremendously
influential healing tool that it actually is. Today
however, hypnotherapy is playing a more important role
within present day health structure as medical professionals
become more aware of its inestimable value.
In the business world the use of hypnotherapy is on
the increase as Managers recognise its use can assist
in the production of a more profound level of relaxation
with a concomitant reduction in stress levels resulting
in higher work performance from a healthier, stress-free,
workforce.
E
mail. Vicki
More Information On Vicki
© 2005
Last Updaed
April 12, 2007
