Principles and Practice

Hypnotherapy is a therapy from ancient times.  It was and is used by people known as Witch doctors, Medicine men, Shamans, and Religious leaders. It was used to help others and for self-hypnosis (spirit travel, visions, etc.).

Soothsayers in Egypt and Greece used the Trance State for their various healing works. Paracelsus (1493-1541) propounded the healing affect that 'Astral Bodies' and Magnets were responsible for curing disease.  However, it was Mesmer, in the 1700s who brought forth to the public the therapy of 'mesmerizing' to affect cures.

He astounded his world and was seen as a great man and a charlatan; others were inspired to further his work. Mesmerizing faded away in 1840, but it was not forgotten; there were those who continued working in that field. It has reappeared, done wonders, been applauded and totally misunderstood, ridiculed and abolished by the medical field -of the past- and others.

Mesmerism for a time was known as 'Nervous Sleep' and for that reason even to this day, many believe a person is asleep when they are hypnotized, when in fact the opposite is true -they are fully conscious. Many physicians took up the practice of 'Hypnosis'; this being the word coined by Dr. James Braid in the 1840/1850s. 

In India, Dr. James Esdaile (1808-1859) in place of anesthetic, used hypnosis successfully for over 345 major operations.  Since then hypnosis was used in World War 1 to treat 'Shell Shock' and for pain relief due to lack of anesthetics and analgesics; it continued to be used in World War 2 and the Korean War. 

Known physicians and unknown practitioners of the therapy have used it for emotional as well as physical problems.  Hypnosis has been accredited and discredited (only good for nervous (addled brained?) patients).

At last, hypnosis was accepted by professionals. In 1958 the Council of Mental Health of the American Association, formally accepted hypnosis and recommended its' inclusion in the curriculum of medical schools and post graduate residencies. 

Clinical Hypnotherapists do not diagnose, prescribe or treat specific illnesses; they guide only.  No apparatus (flashing light, swinging watch, etc.) is necessary to hypnotize a client; directions and voice is all that is needed. Clients are helped to relax and feel safe. Questions are asked, related to the information given during the interview and while in session. At times the therapist gives directions and suggestions, however the client is the one who decides whether to respond to the directions/suggestions.

The rapport of the client and the therapist is very important. The client's subconscious will be the part communicating with the therapist and what is disclosed will be based on it's level of 'trust'.  Part of the comfort a client would be offered is whether to sit or lie down.  The first step toward a successful session is the interview; before the arousal process, the last step is to have a healing take place -that is a successful session.

Benefits

With Hypnotherapy clients can be taught to practice Self-hypnosis; this speeds the work done with the therapist.  It gives a deeper feeling of being in control of one's life and more self-confidence.
A client can learn that relaxation and ease of body is natural and accessible.  Fears, phobias, pain, dependency on others, anger, addictions and much, much more can be looked at, and answers with healing take place.

Hypnosis, not only helps the emotional body; it benefits the whole being. Clients begin to know that 'in Truth', they are in control of their lives. They control the issue they want to work on and the time they will give to achieving what THEY want to achieve. A client may want sessions close together, far apart or even sporadic; they may want to work out a plan with the therapist.  How quickly one becomes aware that he/she is in control depends on how safe and trusting their subconscious feels.

There is no such thing as a failure -neither for the client nor the therapist. The first step to success is taken when the client makes an appointment for a Clinical Hypnotherapy session; the next step is where the session leads to.

References

http//www.pathwaystohealth.com

http//www.hypnosis.com/abh/abh.html

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