How Hypnosis Works 

This article, written by DJ Lynch, BCCH, CI, was published in The Arkansas Times in December, 2000, and originally titled, "How To Choose A Hypnotherapist". 

This version of the original article has been updated and edited.

A qualified, credentialed, ethical, and professional Consulting Hypnotist or Hypnotherapist can help clients do much more than stop smoking or lose weight. Although those two personal lifestyle improvements are the mainstays of  Hypnotism today, creating positive behavioral change is the foundation for meeting both personal and professional goals through hypnosis.
 
Until recently, hypnosis was viewed as mostly theatrical ... comical, whimsical, and sometimes hilariously funny stage antics produced by a commanding personality with the cooperation of suggestible participants. Today, however, most people are aware of or perhaps even know a few people who have been profoundly influenced by beneficial hypnosis or hypnotherapy.

Realizing that hypnosis is simply an enhanced subconscious state that results in an intensely heightened awareness or focus of the subconscious mind removes the fear of hypnosis as magical, mystical, or ethereal.

The skilled Hypnotists of today are trainers, leaders, facilitators .... think of them as tour guides. Training the client to use self-hypnosis as a tool to achieve that altered state of mind called hypnosis to accomplish the desired behavioral change is the undisputed focus of Hypnotherapy.  Reducing stress, stopping smoking, eating only foods that support the body and the lifestyle desired, even healing our bodies and improving memory become easily attainable goals. The real key to self-healing is reducing stress by introducing powerful positive imagery that will allow the body's natural tendencies to promote healing and to stop doing things that block the body's ability to heal itself.

Techniques such as Guided Imagery, Deepening, and Goal Reinforcement become learned skills through hypnosis sessions with follow-up relaxation/goal reinforcement.  Learning self-hypnosis, and/or using tapes or CDs furnished by the Hypnotist enhance the opportunity for success in achieving goals.  Once a client achieves that state of mind, the subconscious mind is then open and receptive to powerful positive suggestions or direction.

A qualified, professional, and well-trained Hypnotist or Hypnotherapist will offer custom-designed program materials to meet each client's specific needs or goals.  This program material, when introduced to the subconscious mind while in this state, then makes a powerful transformation, ceasing to become the words of the Hypnotist and instead becoming the clients' thoughts to themselves.

• With hypnosis, wants are changed or eliminated and replaced.   Personal and professional goals become easily achievable.   Bad  habits, including many compulsive behaviors, such as smoking, overeating or indulging in the wrong foods, chewing tobacco, nail biting, even clenching and grinding of the teeth associated with TMJ pain are easily overcome and replaced with positive, healthy behaviors .... good habits.   Fears, tension, worries, and apprehensions associatied with public speaking, tests, and performance anxieties (sports, stage, and/or music) are powerfully released.  These are replaced, through guided imagery and  suggestion, with confidence, high self-esteem, radiant health, improved memory and ability.  Guided self-hypnosis or hypnotherapy provides the focused ability to accomplish those personal and professional goals or to live the desired lifestyle as the confident, healthy, self-directed, goal-oriented person the client wants to be.

Everyone can experience hypnosis.  Daydreaming, fantasizing and driving on 'auto-pilot' are all light states of hypnosis. Everyone experiences light states of hypnosis every day. A trained Hypnotist can assist in teaching the more progressive hypnosis skills used in hypnotherapy, enabling the client to use hypnosis as a very effective tool for creating and maintaining positive behavioral change.

Sessions with a trained, experienced and professional Hypnotist are fun, relaxing, informative and enjoyable, leaving the client energized, relaxed, and stress-relieved in addition to the accomplishment of achieving the desired changes. These changes .... an improved state of mind or lifestyle .... are immediate and powerful. Anyone ready to change can, and the results are profound!

With a little research, anyone can find a trained, skilled Hypnotist in his or her area.

• NGH.net  - The National Guild of Hypnotists is the world's largest and most respected professional organization of hypnotists and hypnotherapists. 
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FIVE THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN SELECTING A
Hypnotist/Hypnotherapist  ...

1. Ask relatives, co-workers, and friends if  
    they've used a Hypnotist in the past.
2. When calling or visiting Hypnotists, ask
    about background, training, and experience.
3. Find out which kinds of programs and
    materials a prospective Hypnotist uses.
4. Find out if the goals you hope to reach can
    be met through Hypnosis.
5. If you're uncomfortable, research; do your
    homework.  


            Learn how Hypnosis works. 

 
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