Taking the Hocus Pocus Out of Hypnosis

Hypnosis has been around for over 200 years. Despite having evidenced-based applications for

people that come to therapy, the word hypnosis often conjures up the image of an entertainer

that makes their unsuspecting subject the butt of a joke, getting them to bark like a dog or cluck

like a chicken. It is a common myth that hypnosis is a form of mind control. Some healers will

use hypnosis to help you find your angels or heal your past lives. It’s no wonder that the

reputation of this therapeutic tool is met with a healthy dose of skepticism by many people.

Hypnosis in the hands of a trained professional is a very different experience. Hypnosis is a

combination of deep relaxation and focused attention where your mind is more receptive to

subtle changes in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The felt sense of the process closely

resembles being taught a guided meditation. Most people describe being comfortably absorbed

but relaxed. The feeling of hypnosis is often compared to the experience of being swept up in a

good book or a movie. If you’ve ever had this experience, you can use hypnosis to improve your

mental and physical health. Data suggests hypnosis can help with anxiety, depression, sleep

issues, IBS, chronic pain, and trauma. It also enhances performance. The truth is that there can

be a hypnotic component to almost any problem that might bring you to therapy. The process

is gentle and empowering. It enables people to develop improved coping skills, release

unwanted habits, improve their mood and relationships, and heal trauma. But, like any new

skill, it takes practice. Most clients will find a positive change in their experience in as little as 1-

12 sessions. It’s often standard practice to use a self-hypnosis recording between sessions to

practice skills between appointments. If you are working with a trusted therapist but want to

try hypnosis, I’d be happy to help you develop a plan to integrate hypnosis into your ongoing

work. Imagine learning new skills while focused and relaxed. Imagine pairing that experience

with a sense of self-confidence and empowerment. If this experience appeals to you, try

hypnosis. Hypnosis resources are available at ASCH (The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis).

Please reach out with questions or to set up an appointment. I’m happy to help.