Clinical Hypnosis
In an altered state, such as occurs during hypnosis, our capacity for many things is enhanced, e.g. more rapid healing or learning, more effective problem-solving. A basic hypnotic approach is for the therapist to present suggestions for behavioral change to a client while the person is deeply relaxed and in a state of concentrated attention.
Hypnosis also may be used as a tool for unconscious exploration, again while a person is deeply relaxed and therefore more easily able to bypass the conscious mind which can serve as a censor.
Most people remember everything that happens while in a hypnotic trance, and it is important to state that the client is not under the control of the hypnotist. In fact, I carefully craft all hypnotic suggestions based on a client’s instructions about the exact statements he or she would like to hear to achieve specific behavioral goals. Instruction is given also on ways a person can follow-up with self-hypnosis at home, to further enhance the possibility of change.
Medically, studies have shown that even second degree burns can be minimized if the person quickly goes into trance focused on thoughts of coolness. In a psychotherapy practice, hypnosis has been found to be particularly useful for the following:
- treatment of physical illnesses such as gastrointestinal disorders, dermatologic disorders, acute and chronic pain, nausea and vomiting, allergies and asthma, hypertension, Raynaud’s disease
- trauma work (abuse, rape)
- depression
- anxiety
- stress management
- smoking cessation
- weight control
- athletic, school, and work performance
- concentration difficulties
- test anxiety and other forms of performance anxiety