Hypnosis in Layman’s Terms
What is Hypnosis?
What is Hypnosis? Hypnosis is focused concentration with relaxation. It is a natural state we go in and out of several times a day. Most people are not aware of this true definition of hypnosis.
Examples of our natural hypnotic state include:
- Watching a movie and focusing so intensely that you are not distracted by external sensation
- Being at dinner, reaching for the salt and so engrossed in a friend’s story that you stop yourself in mid-reach
- Driving a car and day dreaming
- Reading a good book and not hearing the kids playing in the next room
Another word for theses states of being is trance, and the trance state varies in depth. Hypnosis is a word that has many negative connotations and yet it is a natural and totally safe opportunity to focus inward. A therapist can stimulate the trance state, but only with the individual’s agreement. If you are not in agreement with moving into a trance state, you will not get there. And you will only go as deep as you desire. No one can make you go there.
Alternative Labels for Hypnosis include:
- Guided Imagery
- Guided Meditation
- Deep Relaxation
- Visualization
As a Clinical Hypnotherapist, I help clients intensely focus inwardly while deeply relaxing. I believe that there is all you need to help you “be the best you,” within your own subconscious. The hypnotherapist can guide you in accessing your own power to heal from within.
Who is In Control in Hypnosis or Hypnotherapy?
Because your consent is the cornerstone of allowing yourself to go to this deep level, your trust in the hypnotherapist is extremely important. Without trust, your subconscious will block you from accessing important and often immediate transformational information.
Will I know What is Happening During Hypnosis?
There is a great misconception to hypnosis and that is while in a state of trance, you are unaware of what is going on. This is absolutely not true. Just like when watching an enthralling movie and you block out the phone, or the kids next door you may not consciously be aware of the possible distractions but if the kids came in the room with a bloody lip, you would immediately stop what you are doing. It is the same with being hypnotized. If the hypnotist asks you to do something that is out of alignment with your wishes, you will immediately be aware and can choose to comply or not.
Subconscious Mind
The subconscious mind has a natural protective ability. For example, another hypnotherapist tells a story of before he became a hypnotherapist, he was going to a hypnotist and while in the deep trance state, she told him to update his look by shaving his beard and moustache and getting rid of his glasses. He was not in agreement with directive and suddenly was fully alert and told her that that was a wrong thing to do. I could not agree more! It IS wrong and unethical to direct clients where it was never their intention to go. Luckily your subconscious protector, sometimes called “the overseer” is always at work.
Will I Remember During Hypnosis?
Another misconception is that you won’t remember. Many times people will say “I wasn’t hypnotized, I remember everything you said.” Unfortunately, there is no signifying bell that goes off telling you, “now you are hypnotized.” Most of the session will be remembered.
After a session with my clients, we do a review where I go over my notes of what happened and my assessment. By going over what occurred, most people then recall any missing details. Sometimes information comes in so fast that remembering anything, without a review with your Hypnotherapist can be a blur.
Hypnosis helps with many issues such as:
- Stress
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Fears and Phobias
- Sleeplessness
- Grief and Bereavement
- Career Guidance
- Pain Management or Removal
- Enhancing Relationships
- Bring Out Latent Talents
- Reconnecting with Happiness
- Weight Loss
Is Hypnosis Safe?
Hypnosis is natural and completely safe. While some results may come in the first session, it may take several sessions depending upon how deep the pain and your ability to open yourself to the process and to the hypnotherapist. As long as you are able to trust your Hypnotherapist and your desire is in agreement with your deepest self, you WILL see results.
There is great healing available from within yourself, we all have it. You can access it yourself through meditation a good hypnotherapist is simply a vehicle to open this access to your highest self.
The more you are able to practice meditation on your own, the more you will be able to open up to the deeper parts of yourself and thus allowing the Hypnotherapist to take you to an even deeper place of self-healing. The access is within you and the healing comes from you.
