The experience described is not unlike daydreaming, when your critical faculties are suspended and you are open to suggestion. These suggestions help people to make positive changes within themselves.

Hypnosis is normally conducted by one individual addressing another, or it may be conducted by ones self (self-hypnosis). The light trance experience is a naturally occurring state in which one's attention is narrowly focused and is relatively free of distraction. It is the role of the hypnotherapist to induce a hypnotic trance-like state in order to help one overcome addictions and phobias, e.g. such as fear of flying, or to relieve pain or stress contributing to illnesses such as asthma and irritable bowl syndrome etc.

So to summarise:

Hypnotic suggestion can influence behaviour when the listener is:

• Relaxed, receptive and open to the suggestion.
• May experience visual, auditory, and/or kinaesthetic representations of the suggestion and by the therapist
• Anticipates and envisions that these suggestions will result in future outcomes.
  

What it's supposed to do

Hypnosis bypasses the conscious mind, allowing direct communication with the unconscious. The readiness and ability of patients to be hypnotised varies considerably. Hypnotherapy generally requires several sessions in order to achieve meaningful results. However, the patient is normally taught the technique of self-hypnosis in the first session and is encouraged to be practise at home. This approach helps to serve in two key ways, firstly, to reinforce the usefulness of formal sessions with the therapist. Secondly, it can help counter distress and anxiety-related conditions in between sessions and to speed up the treatment process.

Hypnotherapy is said to be particularly useful for habit problems like bedwetting in children, smoking, compulsive eating and nail biting; and stress-related or psychosomatic conditions like skin problems, irritable bowel syndrome and migraine; pain relief, phobias, panic attacks, lack of confidence, inhibitions and sexual problems.

Applications of Clinical Hypnotherapy

Clinical Hypnosis has many applications in therapeutic settings. Among them are:

• Building Confidence
  
• Treating Phobias, Fears and Anxiety
• Sleep Disorders and Disturbances
• Interpersonal Problems
• Depression
• Sexual Difficulties
• Psychosomatic Complaints
• Post Trauma Relief
• Pain Management
• Stress Management
• Habit Control
• Academic Performance
• Athletic Performance
• Help with Life Transitions
• Preparation for Medical/Dental Procedures
• Blocks to Motivation and Creativity
• Treatment of Grief and Loss
  

What happens next?

Contrary to popular belief, hypnosis is not a state of deep sleep. However, it does involve the induction of a trance-like condition, but when in it, the patient is actually in an enhanced state of awareness, concentrating entirely on the hypnotheraptist's voice. In this state, the conscious mind is suppressed and the subconscious mind is revealed. The therapist is able to suggest ideas, concepts and lifestyle adaptations to the patient, the seeds of which become firmly planted.

A hypnosis session often starts with a detailed discussion with the therapist when explanations on hypnotherapy and a case history will be taken. The patient will have an opportunity to identify and to communicate the desire goals or outcomes to the therapist. It is at this stage that the therapist will construct a suitable treatment plan and obtain agreement with the patient as to what the course of treatment contains within each session.

An induction procedure will be used as you sit or lie on a reclining chair or couch where your state of consciousness will be altered, in such a way that the left hand side of the brain will be distracted or turned off, whilst the non-analytical right-hand side is made more alert. Simply put, the conscious control of the mind is inhibited, and the subconscious mind is awoken. You are now entering a light trance.

During trance, you are not immobilised. You know exactly where you are the entire time. You can adjust your position, open your eyes and bring yourself out of trance at any time you wish. During trance, you can still hear sounds around you e.g. a phone ringing. You can alert yourself and respond to any situation that needs your immediate attention. You remain oriented as to person, place, and time. You can even hold a conversation in trance.

Hypnosis cannot cause anyone to do something against their will or some thing that contradicts their values. First, a hypnotherapist is ethically required to make only those suggestions that support agreed-upon outcomes. Second, in keeping with the internal fight or flight mechanism, patients are not receptive to suggestions that go against their morals or values---because receptivity is one of the ingredients of success in hypnosis.
It is important to remember, hypnosis cannot solve every problem. Even with hypnosis, it may still be necessary for you, together with the help of your therapist, to do some conscientious planning and active participation in bringing about the types of changes you wish to achieve.

Risks and Precautions

Hypnotherapy carries very few risks, however, hypnosis may be contraindicated for individuals with certain medical problems, or who are actively abusing drugs and/or alcohol, or who are delusional or hallucinatory.
In a certain cases, consultation with the patient's doctor will be necessary in cases involving symptoms relating to physical illnesses and pain.

© 2008-2010 Christina Richmond