What is hypnosis and how does it work?

Hypnosis is a normal, natural state of mind, a state of very deep relaxation. Like everyone, you experience trance states frequently throughout your day. Trance states happen when you are daydreaming, driving your car from one place to another (with no memory of the journey), watching a good movie, or just before falling asleep at night.

Hypnosis is similar to meditation. The difference is that with hypnosis you are focusing the mind instead of emptying the mind. When going into hypnosis you are relaxing your body as well as the conscious (or thinking) part of your mind. You then focus your attention on the subconscious part of your mind, where a wealth of information resides. The content of your subconscious mind is unique to you and your experiences up to the present time. The subconscious is a tremendous resource for you to tap into. Your subconscious mind stores all of the experiences you have had in your life, both positive and negative. In addition to recording everything, your subconscious mind is what informs your everyday thoughts, beliefs, feelings and actions. You have probably had the experience of reacting strongly to something that someone says and not knowing where that came from. Most likely your reaction came from somewhere in your subconscious mind.

Through hypnosis you learn to use trance as a bridge to the subconscious mind and learn what it has to teach you. The success of the work is realized when you feel a sense of empowerment and understanding for yourself ; old unhealthy patterns are replaced by healthier ones. In addition you notice how much better your life is going.

What can hypnosis help me with?

Using hypnosis, you can learn to manage emotional distress, unpleasant physical symptoms, or to help change habits and behaviors. Perhaps you need help with stress reduction and learning to relax. You may wish to stop smoking, or get help with managing your weight and living a healthier lifestyle. You may want help with pain management or the stress of going through medical or dental procedures. Perhaps you have difficulty sleeping through the night, or trouble getting to sleep in the first place. Or it may be that you have experienced trauma and can’t seem to get beyond it. These are just some of the things that hypnosis can help you with.

What happens during a session?

Our work together is a cooperative process between us. I am a counselor as well as a hypnotherapist, so I bring a variety of skills to each session. A session begins with a conversation to determine what you would like help with. I will answer any other questions you may have about how I integrate hypnosis into our work at that time. Then we decide together whether hypnosis or counseling or a combination of the two modalities will help you best.

When I work with you as a client I have the utmost respect for your process. As a solution-focused therapist I believe that you know what you want from therapy and it is my work to help you to reach your goals. We work collaboratively to find a solution that works for you. Focusing on solutions brings with it an inherent focus on your strengths and the possibilities for change in the present and future.

Will I “lose control” of myself during hypnosis or do something ridiculous like cluck like a chicken?

It is true that you are in a more receptive state while in hypnosis…but you are always in the driver’s seat. You have the ability to come out of the focused attention of trance at any time you choose. The point of hypnosis is to increase your ability to control your inner states. Through the experience of hypnosis you gain the ability to better manage the things that brought you in for help. The goal of working with hypnosis is self-empowerment and for you to feel more in control, not less in control. Personally I like chickens and how they communicate, but you will never be asked to cluck like one…and even if you were asked you could decide whether you wanted to or not.

Does hypnosis help with medical issues?

Hypnosis is effective in alleviating stress, promoting relaxation and lowering anxiety. If you are experiencing a medical issue chances are good that you are also experiencing some emotional upset. Your treatment and healing will be more successful if your stress level is lower and you can gain some control over your situation. Hypnosis techniques are also effective in helping you deal with pain. If you wish to have help with a medical issue I’d ask you to get your doctor’s clearance first. I am not trained in the medical field, yet my experience and training as a counselor and hypnotherapist qualifies me to work with the emotional issues surrounding, and possibly contributing to, your medical issue.

Are there side effects from hypnosis?

The only side effect that clients have mentioned is a feeling of very deep relaxation. Hypnosis is a process that is safe and effective and can help you make the changes you wish to make.

How about the side effects of stress?

Stress is vital to life and survival, yet chronic stress can have a debilitating effect on a person physiologically and create harm and permanent damage. The “fight, flight or freeze” responses are adaptations that help us to survive a stressful event or series of events. These responses are a normal reaction to a perceived threat. Some examples are being held up at gunpoint, or getting in a car accident or experiences in a war zone. There is a peak of energy as hormones (with cortisol being the primary one) are released and then the hormones subside after the event is over. When this response occurs chronically and without any resolution or relief, a person is at risk of causing harm to their bodies. Chronic stress affects the immune system, blood pressure, the functioning of the cells, and impacts every other system in the body. Many people experience stress of an emotional nature. Feelings of being trapped in jobs or relationships… or feelings of overwhelm and helplessness. These patterns become chronic and have a negative impact on the body because the body reacts with a continual or sustained release of the stress hormones. Hypnosis has been proven to slow heart rates, lower blood pressure and reduce muscle tension (all signs and symptoms of stress). In addition, hypnosis lowers the body’s response to adrenaline and other stress hormones including cortisol, the stress hormone associated with chronic stress.