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UNDERSTANDING HYPNOSIS
What It Is
And How It Works
Hypnosis and its uses in the practice of hypnotherapy are
rapidly emerging as a highly effective science in solving
the problems of people. It can be very beneficial in many
cases as a therapy in itself. It is a valuable adjunct in
psychotherapy and psychiatry. And it is probably the
lowest risk procedure available from the standpoint of
contraindications.
Yet few therapeutic procedures are less understood, or
more plagued by misconceptions and misunderstandings.
Before considering what hypnosis is, perhaps it would be
appropriate to establish what it is not!
Most hypnotherapists, on interviewing a new client, will
ask the client what he or she thinks hypnosis is. Replies
range from sleep, to unconsciousness, to surrender of
mental powers and control, to magic, to voodoo. All are in
error.
Hypnosis cannot be sleep. In most cases the subject is
fully aware of communication and is able to respond on
request either verbally or by signal. Nor is
unconsciousness involved. A subject asked to make a
specific movement will comply with the request unless it
is objectionable, in which case there will be a refusal.
There is no surrender of mind or control. A person who
does not want to be hypnotized cannot be hypnotized or be
induced to do or say anything which violates personal
standards of behavior or integrity. There is neither magic
or voodoo involved. Any hypnotherapist can explain the
actions or behavior seen on stage, film or television
shows, where the subject seems to follow directions
mindlessly.
Actually, hypnosis is better described than defined. It is
often considered an altered state of consciousness
featuring "selective perception", a process in which the
subject (who is in control) chooses to see only what is
relevant to his or her task, blocking out everything else.
Hypnosis involves guided concentration. The guidance,
however, may be provided by a qualified practitioner or,
in the case of self-hypnosis, by the individual subject.
Self-hypnosis, which can be taught by a properly certified
hypnotherapist and learned by virtually any client, can
provide the recipient with a lifetime benefit.
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