| If you've ever driven to work and wondered how | | | | will also ask the client to describe sensory |
| you got there because you were thinking about a | | | | experiences (touch, taste, smell, sight and sound) |
| million other things, then you've experienced | | | | and also check in with how they feel. |
| hypnosis. You've also experienced hypnosis if | | | | The therapist's goal is to access the resources |
| you've entered the "zone," a place where writers, | | | | and strengths the client already has; she'll also |
| athletes and artists experience when they are | | | | teach them new skills so they're better able to |
| only devoted to their art and nothing else comes | | | | cope with life's demands. The client will be told to |
| in the way of their task. Hypnosis is simply the | | | | focus on their breathing and learn how to slow it |
| ability to access specific everyday trance states | | | | down when they are experiencing anxiety. |
| of both the dissociated (the divided, thinking about | | | | The Power of Auto Suggestion |
| a million other things) and the associated (the flow | | | | In order to carry out the therapist's work, you will |
| state, the "zone") of the mind. With hypnosis, | | | | need to craft affirmations that will link from your |
| therapists can help clients understand the power | | | | cortex to your limbic system. These statements |
| of their mind so they can break through barriers | | | | need to be crafted with goal-oriented language, |
| and reach their full potential. | | | | they need to be in the present tense, and they |
| How Can Hypnosis Help? | | | | need to use statements of faith. It's a good idea |
| We need to imagine that the brain is divided into | | | | to use the words "now," "because," and "don't." |
| two parts: the cortex, which is the thinking, | | | | Some examples: |
| rational part and the limbic system, which handles | | | | I have the skills I need to handle this situation. |
| emotional part. Phobias stem from the limbic | | | | I can make decisions differently. |
| system from incorrectly associating a trigger to a | | | | I can be in control of my body so that it is |
| fear response. | | | | healthy and fit. |
| Hypnosis is used in therapy to treat these phobias | | | | I can choose to set limits with others or with |
| and fears, but it won't automatically get rid of | | | | work |
| these phobias. Not all people respond to hypnosis, | | | | As the client is engaging in this exercise they |
| but the good news is that people who suffer | | | | should be lying down in comfortable clothes, |
| from phobias are more likely to take to hypnosis. | | | | closing their eyes and focusing on these |
| Hypnotherapy deals with phobias by replacing the | | | | suggested statements. The therapist will remind |
| triggering agent with a positive attribute; so for | | | | the client to just think about the words and |
| instance, if you're afraid of flying, through | | | | images they create, so they don't try to make |
| hypnotherapy, you'll associate flying with | | | | anything happen because if they do, they'll ruin |
| confidence and security. | | | | the effect. |
| Hypnosis can also help therapy clients who suffer | | | | Using hypnosis in therapy shows the client how |
| from depression, stress, anxiety, fibromyalgia, and | | | | they can go from an anxious state to a more |
| chronic fatigue syndrome. | | | | relaxed one through the power of words. If they |
| How Do You Start? | | | | keep up their sessions, they will start to see the |
| The therapist will begin the session by asking the | | | | effects of hypnosis and they may then want to |
| client to recall a pleasant and relaxing experience. | | | | try some of the techniques on their own. |
| Perhaps it's a stroll on the beach, a hike up a | | | | Hypnosis helps clients help themselves and it helps |
| mountain or long bike ride. The client needs to | | | | them see everything more clearly while putting |
| recount the details of what others are wearing. | | | | them in front of their fears and phobias. |
| This exercise activates the unconscious mind. She | | | | |