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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!

Contact: Donovan donovan@dochsa.com
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