What is Hypnosis?
Healing by trance state (or an altered
state of awareness) is among the oldest phenomena known to man and is found, in
one form or another, in virtually every culture throughout the world. It could
also be legitimately described as the original psychological therapy and
somewhat more contentiously, as the basis for many of the more recent styles of
psychological intervention.
Although such altered states have been
known for thousands of years, the term “hypnosis” (from the Greek “hypnos”,
meaning “sleep”) was only coined circa 1840 by Dr James Braid, a Scottish
physician and remains a somewhat less than accurate description of the
experience, as the hypnotic state is, in most respects, entirely dissimilar to
sleep.
At our current level of knowledge, the
phenomenon of hypnosis cannot be conclusively defined but perhaps a reasonable
interim definition might be that: Hypnosis is a state of mind, enhanced by
(although not exclusively) mental and physical relaxation, in which our
subconscious is able to communicate with our conscious mind. It may be
better to define “hypnosis” by what it does rather than what it is and in this
regard, it is widely accepted as a most excellent method by which we may access
our inner potential. The state of mind referred to may be brought about either
by oneself, unaided (self-hypnosis) or with the help of another person. If this
other person is a trained professional, who utilises the resultant state of mind
to encourage beneficial change to occur, the process is referred to as “Hypnotherapy”.
What is Hypnotherapy?
Psychological therapy and counselling (sometimes referred to as the “talking
cure”) is the treatment of emotional and psychological disorders, unwanted
habits and undesirable feelings, using psychological techniques alone. The aim
of all such therapy is to assist people (usually referred to as clients)
in finding meaningful alternatives to their present unsatisfactory ways of
thinking, feeling or behaving. Therapy also tends to help clients become more
accepting both of themselves and others and can be most useful in promoting
personal development and unlocking inner potential.
There are many forms of psychological
therapy but Hypnotherapy
is distinctive in that it attempts to address the client’s subconscious mind.
In practice, the Hypnotherapist
often (but
not exclusively)
requires the client to be in a relaxed state,
frequently
enlists
the power of the client’s own imagination and may
utilise a wide range of
techniques from story telling, metaphor or symbolism (judged to be meaningful to
the individual client) to the use of direct suggestions for beneficial change.
Analytical techniques may also
be
employed in an attempt
to uncover problems deemed to lie in a client’s past
(referred to as the “there and then”)
or therapy may concentrate
more on a client’s current life and presenting problems
(referred to as the “here and now”).
It is generally considered
helpful if the client is personally motivated to change (rather than relying
solely on the therapist's efforts) although a belief in the possibility of
beneficial change may be a sufficient starting point.
Regardless of the techniques employed, perhaps
the most important thing is that a client should expect to feel comfortable and
at ease with their therapist. This is of particular importance in Hypnotherapy,
in which the value of the treatment is greatly enhanced when there is confidence
in the practitioner. For this reason it is recommended that a single session
only is initially booked, leaving the client subsequently free to decide if they
wish to proceed with more.
Unlike many
other psychological therapies, Hypnotherapy
is generally considered to be a fairly short-term
approach in which beneficial change, if it is to occur, should become apparent
within a relatively few sessions.
N.B. In
actual practice, most Hypnotherapists will combine hypnotic procedures with
other appropriate counselling and therapeutic techniques. Should there be any
doubt about the combination of skills utilised in individual cases, the
therapist should be asked directly for a further explanation of their preferred
methodology
Who can be hypnotised?
The answer to this question is undoubtedly
“virtually everyone”. This claim must, however, be qualified by the observation
that some are more readily hypnotisable than others and that it will also depend
upon one’s willingness to be hypnotised at the time. This willingness
will itself depend upon a number of factors, not least of which will be the
strength of the person’s particular need and their trust and
confidence in the therapist concerned. A corollary to this question is “What
level of trance is required in order to achieve a beneficial outcome?”
Although there remains some disagreement over the answer, most researchers
concur that the actual level (or depth) of trance obtained does not relate to
the beneficial results that might be obtained. In practice, this means that
even where a person feels that they have not been hypnotised, given time (and
this is a very important factor), the desired outcome of therapy might yet
materialise. This matter of time is especially important in our current society,
which has, in many respects, been coerced into believing that gratification of
every desire should be instantaneous. Hypnotherapy can be extraordinarily
effective but it is not magic. However, if the right ingredients are
present, if the time is right and if a suitable practitioner can be found with
whom the client is willing to work, then all their (realistic) goals are
achievable.
Who may benefit from
Hypnotherapy?
Again, the answer to this question is
“virtually everyone”. Given that hypnotherapy can be utilised to access a
person’s inner potential and that probably no one is performing to their
actual potential, then this answer is literally true. However, it is not
just potential which Hypnotherapy is well placed to address but also
one’s inner resources to effect beneficial change. In this regard, it is
the innate healing capacity of our own body that may be stimulated by
Hypnotherapy. Consequently, the list of problems which may be amenable to
Hypnotherapy is far too long and varied to catalogue but certainly includes:
stress, anxiety, panic, phobias, unwanted habits and addictions (e.g. smoking,
overeating, alcoholism), disrupted sleep patterns, lack of confidence and low
self-esteem, fear of examinations and public speaking, allergies and skin
disorders, migraine and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Additionally, it has
proved of value within surgery, where normal anaesthetics have not been
practical, in the wider sphere of pain management and in the areas of both
sporting and artistic performance enhancement. As an adjunct to other
counselling techniques, it can also assist in helping to resolve relationship
difficulties and be useful within anger management strategies.
Although there remain many other areas of
human suffering in which Hypnotherapy may bring relief, there are instances in
which it may be contra-indicated. These could include some manifestations of
depressive illness, epilepsy, psychosis (e.g. schizophrenia) and some breathing
problems.
Some Common Concerns
People are sometimes concerned that they
will “lose control” in hypnosis. However, general consensus indicates that
regardless of how deeply people may go in hypnosis and however passive they may
appear to be, they actually remain in full control of the situation. They are
fully able to talk if they wish to (or not, as the case may be) and can stand up
and leave the room at any time. Neither can a hypnotised person be made to do
anything against their usual ethical or moral judgement or religious belief. It
is likely that the notion of a loss of control stems from most people’s
misconception of stage hypnosis, wherein participants are apparently made to
perform all manner of (usually foolish) acts. However, the reader should be
aware that participation in a stage act is an entirely voluntary process (thus
“permission” is already given to the hypnotist) and that there can be no such
volunteer who is unaware of exactly what they are letting themselves in for!
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William Broom
Chief Executive & Registrar,
