Time For a Change Consulting

Professional Clinical Hypnosis

Hypnosis is a totally natural state of focused concentration which is often but not always accompanied by.physical and mental relaxation. It is really an ‘altered state’ where a selective attention process is activated.

The conscious part of the mind is distracted, allowing the subconscious part to take over. The ‘state’ of hypnosis is therefore characterized by an increased ability to produce desirable changes in unwanted habit patterns, motivation, self-image and self-esteem, lifestyle and personal health , by permitting more receptivity to suggestion, questioning and imagery.

Amazing and very helpful things can be accomplished with children and adolescents using the power of hypnosis. If you think about it, children are in a constant state of imagination, and this is just what is required for a successful hypnotic session!

"Hypnosis after almost two centuries of episodic popularity and abandonment, is beginning to be viewed as a standard treatment tool in medicine, psychology and dentistry. The holistic/eclectic approach is now being taught in medical school and other professional training programs…It is my opinion that the future will see a greater emphasis on treating some children in small groups …..(using hypnotherapy).

There are many child patient populations that would fit this model….children are excellent hypnotic subjects….”

Dr. Donald O’Grady…’Clinical Hypnosis with Children’(1991)

Hypnotherapy appears to be valuable in the treatment of a wide variety of habit disorders, provided:

1) There is no underlying medical problem
2) The child is well motivated, and
3) The child is willing to assume primary responsibility for the change

“As compared with many other approaches, hypnotherapy is less expensive, less time-consuming and less dangerous Therefore it would be advantageous to consider a hypnotherapy approach early rather than as a last resort as has so often been the case.”

Olness and Kohen ‘Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy With Children’ (1996)

Myths about Hypnosis

1)There is a loss of consciousness.

In hypnosis the patient does not lose awareness or ‘fall asleep’. One is awake and alert and aware of everything at all times. The electroencephlogram of a hypnotized person is indistinguishable from that of a person who is relaxed, alert and with eyes closed. The patellar reflex is the same in hypnosis as in the waking state. The client is quite capable of thinking and reasoning. Hypnosis is not a clash of wills. It is a condition of trust and co-operation between patient and hypnotist.

2) Hypnotized people do odd and crazy things.

Unfortuately stage hypnosis has done a great deal to cast a shadow on the very serious therapeutic applications of hypnosis. The stage hypnotist is an entertainer, not a health professional and it is important to note that a person will not do anything in hypnosis that they would not do out of hypnosis.

3) People can get ‘stuck’ in hypnosis.

This is not possible as the patient is always in control. I f the hypnotist were to leave the room and not return the patient would either drift off to natural sleep or gradually return to the waking state.

4) A Hypnotized patient surrenders their ‘will’….loses control.

All hypnosis is self-hypnosis. The hypnotist is merely a guide. The client is always in control.

5) Only weak willed people can be hypnotized.

The greater the intelligence, the better the hypnotic subject.

6) Secrets will be revealed.

A hypnotized person will not spontaneously begin talking, or reveal any intimate secrets they would not tell while in the waking state.

HYPNOTHERAPY IS A VALUABLE TREATMENT OPTION.

IT IS A NON-INVASIVE AND EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE THERAPEUTIC TOOL.