School of Positive Psychology

Understanding Hypnotherapy

Hypnosis – what is it?

Hypnosis is a practice of altering our state of consciousness in such a way that conscious control of the mind is inhibited, while the subconscious mind opens up to becoming very suggestible to ideas (Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy UK).

Hypnotherapy – what is it?

Hypnotherapy is the practice of using hypnosis to make positive changes in lives.

Applications of Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy can be applied to many psychological, emotional and physical disorders. It has been shown to relieve pain in surgery and dentistry, reduce the need for painkillers and ease the suffering of the disabled and terminally ill. It can also help people overcome addictions such as smoking and alcoholism, phobias of all kinds and stress-related problems (Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy UK).

Three Key words in understanding Hypnosis

The Conscious Mind (CM) contains what we are explicitly aware of at this moment. It is the mind of the five senses enabling you to consciously experience the physical world, and the aspect of the mind that is able to reason (Lew, 2013).

The Subconscious (aka Unconscious) mind (UCM) contains everything that we know but are not explicitly aware at this moment. The physiological functions of our body work on the subconscious or unconscious level. e.g. heart rate, breathing, blinking. All our learned behaviors and habits, either good or bad, reside in the subconscious mind. e.g. attitudes, values, fear, beliefs (Lew, 2013).

The Critical Faculty (CF) is an invisible layer of separation and protection between the conscious and subconscious mind with the power to accept or reject suggestions from entering the subconscious mind if they are deemed as a threat to nervous system or moral values. Hypnosis is the process by which the critical faculty is bypassed and suggestions are allowed into the subconscious mind (O’Brien).
 
The human mind - an Iceberg analogy

Types of Hypnotherapy

Suggestion hypnotherapy involves giving an individual's unconscious mind a series of ‘suggestions’ that can help an individual do something they want to do (e.g. public speaking) or to stop doing something they don’t want to do (e.g. smoking) (Hypnotherapy Directory).

Analytical Hypnotherapy (also called hypnoanalysis) seeks to find the root cause of a problem, and deal with the issue (Hypnotherapy Directory).

Cognitive Hypnotherapy is influenced by a number of other validated theories, such as Positive Psychology, Neuroscience, Evolutionary Psychology and NLP and combines these in a way that fits the client's goals, values and personality (Hypnotherapy Directory).

Hypnotherapy, other techniques and medicine

Though effective on its own, hypnotherapy can be combined with other psychotherapy and counseling techniques and also used along with traditional medicine to benefit individuals (Hypnotherapy Directory).

 

Hypnosis vs. Yoga & meditation

Yoga and meditation allows one to focus, concentrate better and relax. Hypnotherapy, though similar in focusing and relaxing aspects, is more goal-orientated and works on a specific issue to make a particular change in one’s life (Stone).

 Self-Hypnosis – What is it?

This is hypnosis induced by a person on himself without the help of a hypnotist (Eimer, 2007) to reinforce the usefulness of formal sessions with the therapist (Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy UK).

People who cannot be Hypnotized

Virtually anyone can be hypnotized with the exception of infants, the mentally handicapped, and those who are senile. Hypnosis requires the ability to concentrate and focus one’s attention (Hypnotherapy of Bardstown).

"Hypno" means sleep. So who in in control?

Hypnosis was coined wrongly in relation to the practice but it has been accepted and used widely. Anyone in hypnosis is completely aware of what’s going on around him, hears everything, and can remember what he has experienced. They cannot be made to do anything against their will while in a state of hypnosis (Hypnotherapy of Bardstown).

Benefits of Hypnotherapy

1.      Natural form of therapy to treat emotional and physical disorders without need for medication or medical intrusion on the human body.

2.      No side effects since no pills and potions used.

3.      One of the safest modalities for helping people solve their problems. Hypnosis is just as natural and safe as relaxation and sleep (Hypnotherapy of Bardstown).

4.      Can be used together with traditional medical or psychological treatments.

5.      Hypnotherapy can reach into the subconscious mind, an area normal medication cannot reach.

6.      Can be practiced on any normal person.

7.      Can be used both on individuals and as group therapy.

8.      Client is still in control and fully aware during the process.

9.      Can help to change behaviors for the better.

10.  Can be used for treatments of everyday living like additions, bad habits, losing weight, stress, chronic pain, sleep disorders, anxiety and depression, all without medication.

11.  Can be used to address childhood issues or recover buried memories.

12.  Can enhance performance the natural way by modifying a person’s thoughts to improve their natural abilities.

13.  Client realizes the ability to have increased focus, concentration and make changes all through their own efforts.

14.  Client is able to practice self-hypnosis to continue treatment at no additional cost.

15.  Provides a very pleasant feeling of relaxation.

16.  Easy to learn, understand and practice.

 


Jayasim s/o Tharmapalan
School of Positive Psychology

References

Boring, E. G. (1929). The psychology of controversy. Harvard University. Retrieved from http://wexler.free.fr/library/files/boring (1929) the psychology of controversy.pdf

Cherry, K. (n.d.). What is hypnosis? hypnosis applications, effects and myths. Retrieved from http://psychology.about.com/od/statesofconsciousness/a/hypnosis.htm

Ehrlich, S. D. (2011). Hypnotherapy. Maryland, USA: University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). Retrieved from http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/treatment/hypnotherapy

Eimer, B. (2007). most frequently asked questions about hypnosis. Retrieved from http://www.hypnosishelpcenter.net/faq.htm

Hergenhahn, B. R. (2013). An introduction to the history of psychology. Cengage Learning. Retrieved from http://books.google.com.sg/books?hl=en&lr=&id=6-FchL0K_ioC&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=history of james braid&ots=2hWO_43BWE&sig=Elb8izGyMl-IKNtjIT76Z7zFjBY

Hoff, L. (n.d.). Benefits of hypnotherapy. Retrieved from http://www.pathfinderhypnotherapy.com/benefits.html

Holland, G. (2011). The top ten benefits of hypnotherapy: Hypnosis in andover . Andover Hypnotherapy. Retrieved from http://connecthypnotherapy.com/10-benefits-of-hypnotherapy

Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy UK. (n.d.). What is hypnosis and how does hypnotherapy work?. Retrieved from http://www.hypnosis.me.uk/pages/whatis.html

Hypnotherapy Directory (n.d). Hypnotherapy : Frequently asked questions. Hypnotherapy Directory. Retrieved from http://www.hypnotherapy-directory.org.uk/content/industryfaqs.html

Hypnotherapy of Bardstown. (n.d.). Hypnotherapy: Frequently asked questions. Retrieved from http://hypnotherapyofbardstown.com/questions

Jones, G. (2013). 7 important benefits with hypnotherapy. The Unity Group Healing Center. Retrieved from http://www.unitygrouphealing.com/blog/2013/01/17/7-Important-Benefits-With-Hypnotherapy.aspx

Lew, S. (2013). Diploma in hypnotherapy and counselling. School of Positive Psychology.

O'Brien, M. (n.d.). The critical factor. Retrieved from http://www.serenityhypnosis.com/The-critical-factor

Stone, K. (n.d.). Frequently asked questions about hypnotherapy. Retrieved from http://www.hypnotist.com/faq1.htm

Whorwell, P. J. (2005). Review article: the history of hypnotherapy and its role in the irritable bowel syndrome. (Vol. 22, pp. 1061-1067). Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. Retrieved from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2036.2005.02697.x/full

Yeates, L. B. (2013). James braid: Gentleman scientist, and hypnotist. Sydney, Australia: University of New South Wales. Retrieved from http://unsworks.unsw.edu.au/fapi/datastream/unsworks:11299/SOURCE01