Stemming from the Greek word for sleep, “Hypnos, ‘Hypnosis” is a powerful way to treat a host of issues such as depression, anxiety, weight management, pain, and addiction. Hypnosis has also proven to be highly effective for improving confidence and performance, as well as a compelling methodology for personal growth.
We are regularly dropping into altered states of consciousness throughout the day without our awareness. One example of this is the experience of naturally falling into a hypnotic state whilst watching an engrossing movie. Whilst in this trance state we have the capacity to believe the characters in the movie are real, so much so that it may evoke in us an emotional response and a feeling of connection with them. This exemplifies how susceptible to suggestion we can become in a trance state.
When we are driving, daydreaming, meditating, or listening to music, we also fall into this hypnotic state, and this is something most of us can do easily. Most people are hypnotizable, however, our hypnotic capacity is variable and measurable by the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale.
Hypnotherapy has been used by humans for hundreds of years. The history of hypnotherapy includes notable examples before the discovery of anaesthetic when dentists used it to put their patients into a trance state prior to extracting teeth. Under surgical analgesia a patient can experience a deep hypnotic state with the profound absence of pain.
Since then, more recent studies at Stanford University illustrate the benefits of hypnotherapy for managing pain, improving psychological issues, and personal growth. The studies observed the brains of 57 participants using MRI and found distinct favourable neurochemical changes in the brain that happen under hypnosis. Involved in this study was the renowned clinical hypnotherapist Dr David Spiegel who refers to Hypnotherapy as a serious science and the “oldest form of psychotherapy.” Dr Spiegal has proven through his research that hypnotherapy can be a remarkable agent for change.
When you are really engaged in something, you don’t really think about doing it – you just do it” – Dr David Spiegal
The power of hypnosis cannot be denied and is something we can all benefit from for our own personal development. To put one’s fears to rest, it is important to understand that it is the subject that has the control and not the hypnotherapist.
A trained hypnotherapist is responsible for guiding the client through an induction process that allows deep sedation and suggestibility. When in this trance state we can enhance our cognitive abilities by expanding out problem-solving skills and reasoning faculties.
The hypnotherapist’s role is to facilitate a shift of perception based on the client’s goal or issue. The hypnotherapist guides the client into a hypnotic trance through a process using verbal cues and repetition. During this process the conscious is suppressed whilst the subconscious is activated, allowing a deeper understanding of how patterns may have evolved. In this hypnotic state our levels of concentration and focus of attention are intensified and we become more open to suggestion and influence.
At Clarityfor we use clinical hypnotherapy as part of a holistic evidence based coaching packages. Find out more here about our coaching packages and Clinical Hypnotherapist Kelly Gay.
