FAQ

A Brief History of Hypnosis:

Hypnosis under various names has been used for as long as records have been kept. Suggestive therapy is perhaps the oldest of the therapeutic methods. Modern clinical hypnosis is usually dated from about 1773. The term hypnosis was coined by James Braid, M.D., circa 1841. The American Medical Association approved of the use of hypnosis as an appropriate therapeutic technique in 1958.

Q: What is clinical hypnosis?

A:

  • Clinical Hypnosis can be a quicker, less costly and more effective complement to counseling.
  • Guided meditation. The hypnotherapist helps the client to stay focused on the positive thoughts they desire for change.
  • ​Concentration of attention with both conscious and subconscious mind.
  • ​An education communication process to a person's mind hat enables the subconscious and conscious mind to harmonize and accept the same message.














           Hypnosis is achieved in the alpha and theta states. The slower the brainwave activity, the clearer the perception of

           the experience and the more focused the concentration

​          


When hypnosis is used for treating a physical or psychological problem, we call the process clinical hypnosis. Clinical hypnosis can be defined as an altered state of awareness, consciousness or perception. Hypnosis is a highly relaxed state in which the client’s conscious and unconscious mind is focused and receptive to therapeutic suggestion.

Almost everyone has experienced one form or another of hypnosis at some time in his or her life. Think of those times when you were driving on an expressway and caught yourself briefly unaware of what you were doing, or when you or your children were so engrossed in a TV program that you were unaware that someone else had entered the room. There is nothing to fear, because hypnosis is a safe procedure when used professionally. The relaxation you will experience will be pleasant and refreshing.

Q: What training is required?

A: Professionals using hypnosis should have taken postgraduate (professional) courses in hypnosis, along with appropriate supervision in the uses of this technique. Many professionals receive their training through continuing education workshops. The major professional hypnosis organizations recommend a minimum of 60 clock hours of instruction and appropriate supervised training. Ask your health professional about his or her training if you have any questions. The American Council of Hypnotist Examiners (ACHE) grants certification in clinical hypnosis. Certification provides recognition of the advanced clinician who has met educational qualifications and required training in clinical hypnosis.

For information about specific standards of training or legal issues regarding clinical hypnosis, contact ACHE.

Q: How is hypnosis typically used to treat physical or emotional problems?

A: Some examples of utilization of hypnosis, by discipline, are:

Mental health: smoking and weight control, phobias, depression, anxiety, sexual problems, alcoholism, speech disorders, age regression therapy, chronic pain, self-esteem/ego strengthening, memory/concentration improvement, forensic work with witnesses.

Medicine: psychiatry, anesthesia and surgery, psychosomatic diseases, obstetrics/gynecology, control of bleeding, burn therapy, dermatology, pain control, habit control.

Dentistry: fear of dentistry, dental surgery, bruxism, control of bleeding, tongue biting, saliva control, orthodontia, gagging, ease of dentures, general oral hygiene.
 

Q: Are there physical or emotional conditions which do not lend themselves to hypnotic treatment?

A: The professional involved should make the decision whether or not hypnotic treatment is appropriate. He or she should take the individual’s complete history in order to determine if there are physical or emotional conditions that would indicate if the use of hypnosis would be inappropriate. The professional will probably not utilize hypnosis with individuals who display physical problems, such as severe heart disease or other physical conditions where there is danger of masking an illness. Persons with significant emotional problems, such as borderline psychosis, may also not be appropriate clients for hypnotherapeutic  treatment.
 

Q: How long does hypnotic treatment take?

A: Length of hypnotic treatment is like most other treatment procedures. It will vary depending on the nature and severity of the issue. Treatment may be as short as one session for such things as smoking cessation, to several sessions for other issues. Hypnosis is frequently used in conjunction with other forms of psychotherapy. Hypnotic treatment is only one tool, and when used by itself the treatment is usually short term.
 

Q: How much does hypnotherapy cost?

A: Per hour cost will vary depending on section of the country. Since fees vary in different parts of the nation, you should feel free to discuss finances openly with your health care professional.
 

Q: Will my health insurance cover the cost?

A: Hypnotherapy is usually used in combination with other forms of treatment. Most insurance companies will cover a percentage of the cost of individual therapy. In most states, only treatment by licensed professionals will be covered.
 

Q: Can I learn to hypnotize myself?

A: All hypnosis is self-hypnosis. The professional acts as a facilitator or teacher to help you achieve this pleasant state. Some professionals tape sessions for the patients, to be used between sessions or in a place of repeated sessions. A good example is the use of hypnosis in treatment of chronic pain. Tapes, CD’s, or Digital Recordings are frequently made for pain patients to be used by them as needed.

Q: What if I cannot come out of hypnosis?

A: In the hands of a trained professional there is no danger in the use of hypnosis. Since the patient holds the control, there is no difficulty in terminating the hypnotic state. The professional will take your complete history before using hypnosis, and if there are any contraindications to the use of the procedure, another form of therapy will be recommended.

Q: Dealing with grief.

A: Loss is inevitable and therefore unavoidable. Each of us will eventually lose everyone and everything, including our own bodies. There’s a natural emotional response to loss that we call grief, and this is normally healthy to feel.

This healing process then inspires us to move forward with a deeper appreciation for the rich gift that is life. Healthy grief also bestows on a tender heart   compassion for all beings, because our loss makes us vividly aware of their (and our own) fragility.

It’s hard to appreciate this painful part of our existence. Many people get caught in an experience of grief that hardens their hearts and makes them bitter. When we experience such “bitter grief” we suffer unnecessarily. We create needless pain for ourselves when we replay the memories of our loss again and again, and continue to review these memories with thoughts of hopelessness and despair. Such unhealthy grief is very much akin to the activity of the subconscious mind when it creates Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The force of habit, of thinking in this destructive way, is often too powerful for your  conscious mind to change. However, with the skillful use of hypnotic trance states, we can eliminate this tendency to produce the needless suffering of bitter grief.

For some,  grieving is a process which does not improve over time. It may even become worse.   If this is the case for you then you may have   continued feelings of emptiness, hopelessness, anger and blame, frequent intrusive thoughts about the person you’ve lost and about the death, preoccupation with your grief or find almost everyone and everything is a reminder of your loss.         You may be unable to go about your daily routine or function normally. If this is the case bereavement counseling and therapy can help identify what is causing this complicated grief and give you tools to help overcome it.

This emotional healing   restores  your capacity to feel a healthy sadness for your loss and at the same time gratitude for the ongoing gift of your life.

It allows you to tap into the ability to let loved ones live on through their memory and the   connection that is your love. Once  you’re able to process your grief you can begin to feel this connection once again.

No matter what your personal beliefs are you can connect with the love of a person even after their  death.   You can learn to experience this closeness and let your grief begin to subside.

Hypnosis is excellent for bereavement because the techniques are able to teach you how you can consciously decide to think a certain way about your loss. Your mind is quite powerful and changing its thought patterns from grief-stricken   sadness and anger to love and memories can go a long way toward healing.   With treatment through grief   hypnosis you will retain your memories but they will be less charged with painful feelings allowing you to be able to talk openly should you wish without  fear of being overcome by extreme   emotions.

As a clinical hypnotherapist I am experienced in a number of techniques which provide you with healing and in certain circumstances with closure.  One such technique is psycho- drama which allows you to speak to the person who has passed on.  This safe, gently interactive technique allows you the opportunity to say things that perhaps you were unable to due to many circumstances.   The subconscious mind does not distinguish between what is real and what is imagined.    The therapeutic experience is uniquely   personal. .One person may feel that just the act of pretending to speak with his or her departed loved one is cathartic, while others perceive that they have actually spoken to their loved one on the other side. Whatever your beliefs may be, there’s no denying the calm and peace that emerges from experiencing this amazing moment.

As well as interactive therapy I use therapist driven  interventions also known as direct suggestion to assist you with  very important functions and coping skills.      When experiencing deep grief, sleep suggestions for restful sleep allow the body, mind and spirit to relax the critical conscious mind which had been overwhelmed in the grieving process, permitting needed sleep to occur.    In the venting process thoughts occur that do not continue to serve the person well.  Eliminating these unwanted thoughts in itself goes such a long way toward assisting the person  in their healing.   During times of trauma the subconscious mind   creates a waking trance state due to overload in the sense of being overwhelmed. One skill that you work on improving   during our time together is how to control your intake of information and   lessen the sense of being overwhelmed.

In addition, therapist driven therapy also gives you positive suggestions to help cope with anxiety, deep sadness and other symptoms of grieving.   It reduces feelings of guilt,  anger and blame and suggestions to encourage you to look after your own physical health are also included.

Hypnotherapy helps you   to move on to a new beginning in your life as you learn to enjoy yourself once more without feeling guilty, and  find ways to honor the memory of your loved one through the quality of life that you live,  thus continuing to  feel they remain a positive  part of your life.

Q: How would I find a qualified hypnotherapist?

A: If you are looking for a qualified mental health professional, medical or osteopathic doctor, dentist, or nurse who uses hypnosis, you might begin by contacting state or local processional societies. Yellow pages in your telephone book frequently carry a listing for hypnotherapists. Be sure to select a name where the professional lists such credentials as his or her professional degree. Make sure that the degree has been granted from a college or university approved by one of the national accrediting associations.

The American Council of Hypnotist Examiners

3435 Camino del Rio S. Ste. 316
San Diego, CA 92108
Phone: (619) 280-7200

Email: hypnotistexaminers@gmail.com