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HYPNOSISHypnosis is the experience of a natural and normal trance. The words 'hypnotic trance' might have acquired an adverse image after false and sensationalised claims by the entertainment world (magazines, newspapers, books, stage hypnotists cinema films, television and people who have no concept about this subject or therapy). Hypnotic trance is natural and a normal state of mind that is essential for our the survival of our species. Like dreaming, hypnotic trance is a heightened state of absorption where hours may fly by without the need to involve conscious mental processing to carry out a task we already know how to do well (i.e. walking, talking, reading, writing, driving, riding a bike and thousands of other routine daily activities). This is a state better known as daydreaming and we often use it as a way to pass time or when learning new skills where hours seem to last moments, especially when enjoying what we do (known as positive trance). On the other hand, negative trance is experienced when everything feels like a chore and uncomfortable (e.g. waiting for an important call, bus, appointment, etc.). Both positive or negative trances (daydreams) occur while eyes are wide open and in a state usually referred to as full consciousness. So, it is not surprising that many find it difficult to realise that they are in fact in a deep trance state at the same time as engaging in other complex or precise activities and with others around. e.g. You are on your way to a place you know well, but you walk straight past or at a party while talking with someone interesting the rest of the environment is not noticed. You may look at your watch and realise that it is four hours later, (that is professionally called deep awake trance). When we learn to do anything the first time we concentrate intensely (i.e. tying the laces of your shoes, reading or writing, skating or riding a push bike, driving a car, etc.). After mastering a task this will be committed to memory, beneath conscious awareness and we carry out complex procedures without having to relearn things every time we want, choose, need or have to perform them. Example, most toddler learnt to walk to their own delight and that of grown ups. When a learning process is fun, useful and we are praised a lot we learn better and faster. This might sound over simplified. Nevertheless, these are the building blocks of anything we will ever learn in life (even if it is about building an aeroplane or landing on the moon). Have you ever considered what is involved in the process of walking or talking? Thankfully, to most of us it will continue be something taken for granted as child's play! About two hundred years ago medical doctors, psychologists and psychiatrists began to realise the benefits of harnessing the therapeutic potentials of hypnotic trance. As mentioned before trance is a natural and normal trait people do instinctively all the time (just like animals, birds, reptiles, life forms also have this characteristic). Trance happens so often and without our conscious awareness and without going into lengthy or technical explanations, many years and names latter hypnosis became known as hypnotherapy. HYPNOTHERAPY Hypnotherapy is a process where hypnosis is applied in therapeutic ways and as such it has infinite positive applications to help mankind. There are various hypnotisability levels in hypnotherapy from light to moderate to very deep. Even very light or moderate trance levels tend to yield beneficial and effective results. In therapy deep trance levels are seldom required or necessary. Besides few people even after years of practice of self-hypnosis are able to reach deep trances that would be better named meditative. When deep trance levels would be required in therapy, clients will reach them effortlessly and/or spontaneously. Therefore my efforts, time and energy are invested in the benefits clients can derive from their treatment while maintaining a relaxing environment in which to work from. From the moment of conception we are in an ever changing process called 'life.' Whether we are aware or not, change will take place in our lives. This it is initiated by events that on the whole are outside of our control and yet we might spend a great deal of time worrying about things that may or may not happen. There is nothing wrong with worrying itself, but idle worrying can cause untold damage to our own well being and that of others. Therapy is not unlike life and the aim of treatment is to initiate change, except that from the start of this, our awareness is required. Regardless of therapeutic names or approaches the therapist does not place treatment into people. For example, if I suffer from a migraine headache, a pharmacist or doctor can give me the tablets but it is up to me to decide that the pain is not what I want and take the medication as prescribed. Therapists, counsellors and other professionals use words like the human mind, conscious, subconscious and the unconscious part of ourselves. In fact humans only have a brain and the mind is a metaphorical concept which we hopefully use anyway. Furthermore, we say that life can be experienced at conscious, subconscious and unconscious levels and therapeutically speaking, this makes it easier to explain how change or why hypnosis works in therapy. It is the experience of many therapists that not all but many people with certain problems can respond favourably to treatment with hypnosis:
Hypnotic trance is like time distortion and reorientation, regression and progression in the current age or time . By providing a brief free phone consultation my aim is to ascertain my ability to offer the care you require and how this is best suited to your needs. This initial free phone consultation a is also for you to make an informed choice, decide that you would be comfortable resolving your important difficulties with my assistance. Please note that similar issues listed above may respond better to counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy or psychotherapy (depending on circumstances, duration of the difficulties and/or severity). For example, having an obsession about something is quite different from suffering from an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Syndrome (self-harm). The former will often respond favourably to hypnotherapy the latter may not. What's the difference? If suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder syndrome or self-harming then medical and/or psychiatric diagnosis will be necessary! Also dieting or wanting to lose some weight is not the same as suffering from an eating disorder. Hypnotherapy can be very effective with dieting or loosing weight as it may (if at all)only provide temporary relief to sufferers of eating disorders. Eating, smoking, drinking, gambling are all forms of addiction. In some counselling must be an integral part of the therapeutic process as an addiction helps mask a deeper problem. Often hypnotherapy and self-hypnosis could seem much too readily recommended as a 'Quick-fix' treatment to stop-smoking for example. Indeed, newly qualified hypnotherapist are encouraged to focus on 'Quit Smoking'. A PERSON CANNOT BE HYPNOTISED AGAINST THEIR FREE WILLBeing hypnotised does not mean that it is a thing someone does to another person or that the individual in trance is asleep (weak personality). In fact quite the opposite is true. People who can achieve exceptionally deep levels of trance (rarely required in therapy) can still hear, talk, think, move, act or even open their eyes at any time. Hypnotherapy aims to enhance client awareness at all experiential levels simultaneously. But even the most forcefully proposed hypnotic suggestion will not make anyone say or do things against their moral, religious or self-preservation instincts. If such suggestions were to be given, the person would refuse to comply, open their eyes and rightfully be very angry with the person suggesting it to them. In fact people can be influence at conscious levels much more powerfully then in trance (advertising, pear pressure to start smoking, excessive consumption of alcohol, paying over the odds for designer goods, etc,) The more intelligent a person is, the better their concentration levels and motivation for attaining beneficial and positive goals they want to reach and that is true in therapy. Intelligent people can visualise easily abstract concepts which are most advantageous in trance (when distance runner can visualise wining their contest with all their senses they can manifest this as long as they appropriately train too). In your sessions with me, usually you will be provided with an individualised recording that aims to help you to advance and maintain successful treatment achievements. The reasons for this are:-
The most profoundly held beliefs were learnt from others starting at birth. Unlearning beliefs that no longer support us as well as they once did (if they ever have), will take a little time to un-create and this means improving every other area of life. It is interesting how resolving one problem can start a 'Domino Effect' on other issues being also released. Therapy can help you to custom-build your destiny, intensify your inner guidance and perception and self-understanding as a natural next step of healing. Hypnosis is an exceptional way to direct your life, long after therapy has been successfully concluded (life long coping technique). Please note that time reorientation, age regression, age progression and time distortion (as in this life) are part of hypnotherapy, often mistakenly referred to as: 'Past life regression or reincarnation' which might be best considered as a metaphorical concept and a usefully applied therapeutically. HOW MANY HYPNOTHERAPY STYLES ARE THERE?There are as many names used in connection with hypnotic trance:
A professional hypnotherapist will keep up to date with current training, adhere to ethical codes of professional practice and treat clients as they would like others to treat them. Hypnotic trance is best applied therapeutically, professionally, ethically and with integrity. Hypnotherapists have no extraordinary powers beyond natural or normal to all human beings. It is not possible to become addicted to being in trance and no one can get stuck in it. Ethical therapists aims to empower clients to attain successful treatment goals that a client sets for him/herself and their participation in the healing process is essential. My therapeutic title is Hypnotherapist and my therapeutic role is to facilitate the people consulting with me, but without prolonging treatment unnecessarily. Stage hypnotists are entertainers and as such their approach to hypnosis and as such has no therapeutic training or value. |
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Last modified: 27 July 2010 Erika Goldfried 1951 © |