| Clinical hypnosis to solve problems |  |
Clinical hypnosis is a process used for treating
psychological and physical problems. Through hypnosis a
person achieves a relaxed state in which their conscious and
unconscious mind become focused and ready to receive
therapeutic suggestions.
Everyone has experienced some form of hypnosis. Hypnotic
trance states occur daily in our lives. How many times have
you arrived at a destination in your car, having not
remembered much between putting your keys in the ignition
and the last turn into your driveway? Or have you ever been
startled out of a deep concentration in a TV program upon
hearing your name spoken? When used professionally,
hypnosis is safe, relaxing and refreshing.
Hypnosis has a long history and has been known by many
names. In 1841, James Braid, MD, coined the name, hypnosis.
In 1958, the American Medical Association approved of the
use of hypnosis as an appropriate therapeutic technique.
Hypnosis is used in many ways, for psychological, medical,
and dental problems. In psychotherapy, your therapist may
use hypnosis to assist you in resolving smoking and weight
control, fears, depression, anxiety, stress, sexual
problems, alcoholism, pain control, confidence building,
memory and concentration, retrieving repressed memories,
even to facilitate physical healing.
Your professional psychotherapist will determine if and when
to use hypnosis. After taking a complete history and
planning treatment goals with you, hypnosis may be used to
facilitate treatment.
Your therapist should have received professional training in
hypnosis at the graduate level. Such training is usually
taken at continuing education workshops and seminars. It is
recommended that the professional receive at least 75 clock
hours of instruction and supervision in clinical hypnosis.
Since the length of treatment varies with the problem and
the individual, hypnotic treatment may take one to several
sessions. Often hypnosis is used in conjunction with other
therapies. Hypnosis is usually used in short-term therapy.
There are several misconceptions about hypnosis. Actually,
the subject controls the trance while the therapist is
merely the facilitator. The subject can go more deeply into
trance if they desire, or terminate the trance by opining
their eyes. You cannot be made to do anything against your
will.
Another misconception is that through hypnosis you will lose
consciousness. A hypnotic trance is another level of
conscious awareness. At no time do you become unconscious.
Rather you are aware of what is being said and what is going
on around you at all times.
You will not begin talking or revealing information you wish
to remain a secret. Often a person in hypnotic trance will
talk when that is agreed upon with therapist. However, you
will say nothing against your will.
Hypnosis is not sleep. The hypnotic EEG pattern is
different from the sleep EEG pattern.
Finally, there is no danger of being unable to come out of a
trance. Since you are always in control, you may terminate
the trance at any time. In the hands of a trained
professional, hypnosis can be a very beneficial means of
helping resolve problems.
Copyright © 2000 Kathy J. Marshack, Ph.D., P.S.
Kathy J. Marshack, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist with
over twenty-five years of experience as a marriage & family
therapist. Visit her website -http://www.self-helpcentral.com, for more of her practical self-help advice. Sign up for her
free ezine for the latest self-help information and special
discounts on wellness products at
http://www.self-helpcentral.com/newsletter.htm.
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