Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy
Hypnosis information from the Mayo Clinic website
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hypnosis/SA00084
Hypnosis: An altered state of consciousness
During hypnosis, you might receive suggestions designed to decrease your perception
of pain and increase your ability to cope with it. Alternatively, you might
receive suggestions designed to decrease cravings. Have you ever been totally
absorbed while reading a book, cooking or watching a movie? Did you zone out
to the point where you didn't notice what else was going on around you? If
so, you've experienced a type of trance-like state or focused attention that's
similar to what happens to you during hypnosis. Although its medical uses
aren't entirely understood, hypnosis, when provided by a certified hypnotherapist
or other qualified clinician, appears to help with a variety of health conditions.
These range from helping to control pain to easing the symptoms of asthma.
What is hypnosis?
Hypnosis, also referred to as hypnotherapy or hypnotic suggestion, is an altered
state of consciousness. This state of consciousness is usually achieved with
the help of a hypnotherapist and is different from your everyday awareness.
When you're under hypnosis:
Your attention is more focused
You're more responsive to suggestions
You're more open and less critical or disbelieving
The purpose of hypnosis as a therapeutic technique is to help you gain more
control over your behavior, emotions or physical well-being.
It's not clear how hypnosis works. However, it appears to affect how your brain communicates with your body through nerve impulses, hormones and body chemicals, such as neuropeptides. Hypnotherapists say that hypnosis creates a state of deep relaxation and quiets the mind. When you're hypnotized, you can concentrate intensely on a specific thought, memory, feeling or sensation while blocking out distractions. You're more open than usual to suggestions, and this can be used to change your behavior and thereby improve your health and well-being.
Myths about hypnosis
If you've ever seen hypnotism used as entertainment in a stage act, you've
probably witnessed several of the myths about hypnosis in action. Legitimate
clinical hypnotherapy practiced by a qualified professional is not the same
process as that performed on stage.
Myth: When you're under hypnosis,
you surrender your free will. Reality: Hypnosis is a heightened
state of concentration and focused attention. When you're under hypnosis,
you don't lose your personality, your free will or your personal strength.Myth:
When you're under hypnosis, the hypnotherapist controls you.
Reality:
You do hypnosis voluntarily for yourself. A hypnotherapist only serves
as a knowledgeable guide or facilitator.
Myth:
Under hypnosis, you lose consciousness and have amnesia.
Reality:
A small number of people who go into a very deep hypnotic state experience
spontaneous amnesia. However, most people remember everything that occurred
under hypnosis.
Myth:
You can be put under hypnosis without your consent.
Reality: Successful hypnosis depends on your willingness
to experience it. Even with voluntary participation, not everyone can be led
into a hypnotic state.
Hypnosis information from the The Hypnosis Motivation Institute
http://www.hypnosis.edu/;
The only accredited school of hypnotherapy in the US
What is a hypnotherapist?
While the media has increasingly presented the virtues of hypnosis for a wide
variety of applications, rarely do they make the distinction between a hpnotherapist
and other health care professionals. Many people assume that a hypnotherapist
must be a psychologist or a medical doctor. Hypnotherapist, however, is a
profession in and of itself whoe scope and preparation is quite different
from these other professions.
Only the medical doctor is recognized by the state to diagnose and treat medical
disorders. Medical disorders can be defined as any symptom with a possible
medical etiology, such as a headache, a backache or blurred vision. A psychologist
diagnoses and treats emotional and mental disorders. What, then, is the domain
of the hypnotherapist?
The answer is technically “vocational and avocational self-improvement.” In simple language, these are the little things that do not qualify as a medical disorder or an emotional or mental disorder. In the scope of health services, these are the little things. But it is the little things that most people struggle with. In this country, two thirds of the adult population are overweight, one third smoke cigarettes, 70 percent suffer from some sort of insomnia. It is probably safe to say that 95 percent of the people you know would like to improve in some area or another. Sports performance, confidence, motivation and more are all the specialty of the hypnotherapist. The hypnotherapist is the only professional specifically trained to work in these areas. The HMI graduate has more hours, length and depth of training in hypnotherapy than any other health care professional.
Legal Definition of HYPNOTHERAPIST from the US Department
of Labor
Office of Administrative Law Judges Law Library DICTIONARY OF OCCUPATIONAL
TITLES (4th Ed., Rev. 1991) -- OCCUPATIONAL GROUP ARRANGEMENT
079.157-010 HYPNOTHERAPIST (profess. & kin.)
Induces hypnotic state in client to increase motivation or alter behavior patterns: Consults with client to determine nature of problem. Prepares client to enter hypnotic state by explaining how hypnosis works and what client will experience. Tests subject to determine degree of physical and emotional suggestibility. Induces hypnotic state in client, using individualized methods and techniques of hypnosis based on interpretation of test results and analysis of client's problem. May train client in self-hypnosis conditioning.