Hypnosis In Layman's Terms

Hypnosis is focused concentration. It is a natural state we go in and out of several times a day. Most people are not aware of this true definition of hypnosis. Some examples of natural hypnotic state include:

• Watching a movie and focusing so intensely that you are not distracted by external sensation
• Being at dinner, reaching for the salt and so engrossed in a friend’s story that you stop yourself in mid-reach
• Driving a car and day dreaming
• Reading a good book and not hearing the kids playing in the next room

Another word for theses states of being is trance, and the trance state varies in depth. Hypnosis is a word that has many negative connotations and yet it is a natural and totally safe opportunity to focus inward. A therapist can stimulate the trance state, but only with the individual’s agreement. If you are not in agreement with moving into a trance state, you will not get there. And you will only go as deep as you desire. No one can make you go there.

Alternative Labels for Hypnosis include:
• Guided Imagery
• Guided Meditation
• Deep Relaxation
• Visualization

As a Clinical Hypnotherapist, I help clients intensely focus inwardly while deeply relaxing. I believe that there is all you need to help you “be the best you,” within your own subconscious. The therapist can guide you in accessing your own power to heal from within.

Because your consent is the cornerstone of allowing yourself to go to this deep level, your trust in the therapist is extremely important. Without trust, your subconscious will block you from accessing important and often immediate transformational information.

There is a great misconception to hypnosis and that is while in a state of trance, you are unaware of what is going on. This is absolutely not true. Just like when watching an enthralling movie and you block out the phone, or the kids next door you may not consciously be aware of the possible distractions but if the kids came in the room with a bloody lip, you would immediately stop what you are doing. It is the same with being hypnotized. If the hypnotist asks you to do something that is out of alignment with your wishes, you will immediately be fully aware.

Everyone’s subconscious mind has a natural protective ability. For example, another hypnotherapist tells a story of before he became a hypnotherapist, he was going to one and while in the deep trance state, she told him to update his look by shaving his beard and moustache and getting rid of his glasses. He was not in agreement with directive and suddenly was fully alert and told her that that was a wrong thing to do. I could not agree more, it is wrong and unethical to direct clients where it was never their intention to go. Luckily your subconscious protector, sometimes called “the overseer” is always at work.

Another misconception is that you won’t remember. Many times people will say “I wasn’t hypnotized, I remember everything you said.” Unfortunately, there is no signifying bell that goes off telling you “now you are hypnotized.” Most of the session will be remembered.

After a session with my clients, we do a review where I go over my notes of what happened and my assessment. By going over what occurred, most people then recall any missing details.

Hypnosis helps with many issues some of which include:
• Stress
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Fears and Phobias
• Sleeplessness
• Grief and Bereavement
• Career Guidance
• Pain
• Relationships

Hypnosis is natural and completely safe. While some results may come in the first session, it may take several sessions depending upon how deep the pain and your ability to open yourself to the process and to the therapist. As long as you are able to trust your Hypnotherapist and your desire is in agreement with your deepest self, you will see results. There is great healing available from within yourself, we all have it. You can access it yourself through meditation; a good hypnotherapist is simply a vehicle to open this access to your highest self.