Hypnotherapy

How Does Hypnosis Work?

Hypnotherapy is a technique used to tap into the potential of the Unconscious mind where all habits, programming, and emotion is stored and regulated. Trance states are used to access this information, alter ineffective or unwanted programs to bring greater control over perpetual habits and behaviors and to achieve outcomes set by the client. Hypnosis works because it uses the same technique that was used when the "issue" was created in the client. We may not realize it, but we spend a good deal of time in our lives "hypnotized" by our environment. If your parents got you to believe that you would never amount to anything, then your mind was open and willing to accept the suggestion, and it stuck. This belief or idea then follows you, debilitating you and sabotaging the success you know is possible.

Hypnosis is a natural state that we enter at least twice a day upon waking and falling asleep. We also reach a state of hypnosis when we are "entranced" by a beautiful sunset, or other emotionally moving scene. We enter similar trance states when we are driving, or just daydreaming. Or sometimes when someone is talking, we drift off in our own minds, leaving ourselves open to suggestions, which may or may not benefit us. When mystics speak of becoming "conscious" or "enlightened" they are suggesting that we be aware, pull ourselves out of the "trance" we have been walking around in, unconsciously believing untruths about ourselves, and begin living the transformational life which is our birthright. When we become "present" we are no longer sleep walking through life.

What is a Hypnosis Session Like?

A good hypnotherapist will be able to help you access your unconscious mind and use language, metaphor, and symbols to "re-program" the mind. They will use information previously gathered from the client, and then when the client is in a trance state, the hypnotherapist will retrain the mind with the new, more useful information. It is an enjoyable process as you begin to release the old understandings and embrace the self you know you are. Clients are aware during the process, however occasionally experience amnesia depending on the depth of the state. This is just like when you know you had a dream and then can't remember it, as you are in a similar state during hypnosis. Clients feel relaxed, refreshed and experience new feelings of possibility and empowerment, which provide them with new behaviors and attitudes regarding life and their situation.

One woman considering hypnosis asked, "Isn't that mind control?" And the hypnotherapist answered, "What would you do if you couldn't control your mind?"

Hypnosis with a certified hypnotherapist is safe and powerfully effective. It's effectiveness is what has brought it under fire in the past by those who are uncomfortable with change. However no harm has been found by using hypnosis for healing and change. Hypnosis has been recognized by the American Psychological and Medical Associations since 1958 as an effective and efficient way to change behavior and relieve emotional ties to the past which in turn control the present. Hypnotherapy can also be used to uncover memories, including those from past lives. The healing required from this discovery is always addressed in the session.

How does Hypnotherapy Compare?

• Hypnosis -- 93% recovery after 6 sessions (about 1 1/2 months)
• Behavior Therapy -- 72% after 22 sessions (about 6 months)
• Psychotherapy -- 38% recovery after 600 sessions (about 11 1/2 yrs.)

This table was published based on research from Psychotherapy magazine, (Volume 7, Number 1, Alfred A. Barrios, PhD)

Interested in learning hypnosis? We recommend Bennett/Stellar University and Lightwork Seminars.

The information on this web site is not intended to diagnose or to replace the care of a medical professional. InLighten offers spiritual and behavioral therapies intended to compliment and enhance traditional medical practices.

Maryann@InLighten.org
253.226.2535