What is hypnosis?
HYPNOTHERAPY IS A TYPE OF THERAPY THAT ENABLES INDIVIDUALS TO ENTER A STATE OF DEEP FOCUS, ABSORPTION, AND ATTENTIVENESS. IT FOSTERS A RECEPTIVE MENTAL STATE AND EMPLOYS VISUALIZATION AND SPOKEN CUES TO PROMOTE RELAXATION AND HELP INDIVIDUALS ACHIEVE A VARIETY OF OBJECTIVES DETERMINED BY BOTH THE CLIENT AND PRACTITIONER TOGETHER IN ORDER TO FACILITATE DESIRED EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL TRANSFORMATION.
DOES IT WORK FOR EVERYBODY?
Hypnosis is an evidence-based therapy that has been studied and supported by research in both the clinical and healthy adult population. It has been shown to be effective in sports and performance optimization; treating mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD; and alleviating symptoms of insomnia, pain, and fatigue (Gregoire et al., 2020; Li & Li, 2022; Mamoune et al., 2022; Milling et al., 2019; Pates & Maynard, 2000; Rotaru & Rusu, 2016; Thompson et al., 2019; Valentine et al., 2019).
The effectiveness of hypnosis depends on the client’s hypnotic ability, how relevant, personalized, and meaningful the suggestions are to them, and the quality of the relationship between the client and the practitioner that is based on genuine trust and care.
What are common misconceptions of hypnosis? What is NOT hypnosis?
A common misconception is that the person is under complete control of the hypnotist and that hypnosis is done TO the client. Rather, it is done WITH the client. Essentially the practitioner is facilitating the process or helping the client hypnotize themselves.
Media often portrays hypnosis as a means of mind control and that the individual may be subjected to perform “orders.” However, individuals have awareness and control over their actions and cannot be forced to do anything that goes against their morals and values.
The effectiveness of hypnosis is based on the egalitarian and collaborative relationship between you and the practitioner. You are under full control and it is my job to make you feel empowered throughout the process.
Hypnotherapy is not about putting the person into a deep sleep or unconscious state. During hypnosis, clients are in an elevated state of awareness and focus, similarly to being engaged in a movie. The effectiveness of hypnosis is not dependent on how deep a client goes into trance. That is a common misconception that the client has to be knocked out to reap the most benefits. The client would still get effective results even when they are fully alert, conscious, awake.