Until recently, hypnosis was viewed as mostly theatrical -- comical, whimsical, and sometimes hilariously funny stage antics produced by a commanding personality with the cooperation of suggestible participants. Today, however, most people are aware of, or perhaps even know someone who has been profoundly influenced by beneficial hypnosis, known as Hypnotherapy.
Realizing that hypnosis is simply a super-relaxed conscious mental state that results in an intensely heightened awareness or focus of the subconscious mind removes the fear of hypnosis as magical, mystical, or ethereal.
The skilled Hypnotherapists of today are trainers, leaders, facilitators --think of them as tour guides. Training the client to use self-hypnosis as a tool to achieve that relaxed state of mind called hypnosis to accomplish the desired behavioral change is the focus of Hypnotherapy. Reducing stress, stopping smoking, eating only foods that support the body and the lifestyle desired, even healing our bodies and improving memory become easily attainable goals. The real key to self-healing is reducing stress by introducing powerful positive imagery that will allow the body's natural tendencies to promote healing and to stop dong things that block the body's ability to heal itself.
Techniques such as guided imagery, end-state imagery, goal image focusing, and goal reinforcement become learned skills through hypnotic-state inducing sessions with a trainined and qualified Hypnotherapist followed with repeated use of relaxation/goal reinforcement tapes or CDs furnished by the Hypnotherapist. Once a client learns to relax to the point where the conscious mind can freely drift off or detach, the subconscious mind becomes open and receptive to powerful positive suggestions or direction.
Most Hypnotherapists custom-design program material to meet the client's specific needs or goals. This program material, when introduced to the subconscious mind while in this safely detached altered state of consciousness, then allows a powerful transformation, ceasing to become the words of the Hypnotherapist and instead becoming the clients' thoughts to themselves.
with positive and beneficial suggestions.
* Goals become easily achievable.
* Bad habits, including many compulsive
behaviors, such as smoking, overeating
or indulging in the wrong foods, chewing
tobacco, nail biting, even bedwetting,
are easily overcome and replaced with
positive, healthy behaviors -- good habits.
* Fears, phobias, and anxieties associated
with public speaking, tests, performance
(sports, stage, music) and childbirth are
powerfully released. These are
replaced, through guided imagery, with
confidence, high self-esteem, radiant
health, improved memory and ability -- the
focused ability to accomplish those
personal and professional goals or to live
the desired lifestyle as the confident,
healthy, self-directed, goal-oriented
person the client wants to be.
Everyone can experience hypnosis.
Daydreaming and fantasizing are light states of hypnosis. A trained Hypnotherapist can assist in teaching the more progressive self-hypnosis skills, enabling the client to use hypnosis as a very effective tool for creating and maintaining positive behavioral change.
Sessions with a Hypnotherapist are fun, relaxing and enjoyable, leaving the client energized, relaxed, and stress-relieved in addition to the accomplishment of achieving the desired changes. These changes -- an improved state of mind or lifestyle -- are immediate and powerful. Anyone ready to change can, and the results are profound.
With a little research, anyone can find a trained, skilled Hypnotherapist in his or her area.
RESOURCES
Many Internet sites provide more information about Hypnotherapy and can assist you in finding a Hypnotherapist locally:
* www.SBCsmartpages.com -- This site
has local listings for practically any city in the
country.
Many other sites take a more specific approach to Hypnotherapy. Here are just a few:
* hypnosistoday.com -- Features books,
tapes, music and a referral directory for
Hypnotherapists.
* hypnosisonline.com -- Links to anything
related to Hypnotherapy.
* hypnosis.com -- Another site that's loaded
with links; it's been online since 1994.
This article, written by DJ Lynch, BCH, CI, was published in the Arkansas Times in December, 2000, and originally titled, How To Choose A Hypnotherapist. Other articles written by DJ Lynch and published in the Arkansas Times in 2001 include "OVERCOMING ANXIETY OR PANIC ATTACKS", "ROAD RAGE / ANGER MANAGEMENT", and "CHILDBIRTH HYPNOSIS".
Copies of these articles available upon request.
1. Ask relatives and friends if they've used a Hypnotherapist in the past.
2. When calling or visiting Hypnotherapists, ask about background and experience, and make your own
determination. Are they goal-oriented in your behalf?
3. Find out if your prospective Hypnotherapist has experienced personal success with Hypnotherapy.
Can they communicate to you how it feels and how it works?
Can they provide you with realistic expectations for your success?
4. Find out if the goals you hope to reach can be met through Hypnotherapy.
5. If you're uncomfortable, do your research and find out how Hypnotherapy works.
