Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is the use of an intentionally produced 'trance' state
in order to achieve a theraputic outcome of some sort. NLP, Life
Line Therapy, meditation, yoga, praying, creative visualisation
and deep relaxation all utilise trance states and could, therefore,
be argued to be versions of hypnosis or self-hypnosis.
Trance has been used for healing for thousands of years. There
is evidence in ancient Sanskrit writings of the use of healing trances
and healing temples in India; ancient Egyptian papyrus scrolls tell
of sleeping temples and the use of trance inductions for healing.
Many people have contributed to the development of this field including:
Dr Milton Erickson |
- Franz Anton Mesmer - c1750 concluded
that an un-measurable 'energy' could be used to stop bleeding.
Called this energy 'Animal Magnetism'
- James Braid - 1843 published 'Neurypnology'
on the importance of the fixation of attention in achieving
a trance state. Coined the term 'neuro-hypnosis'
- James Esdale - 1850 published 'Mesmerism'
outlining the use of techniques for pain control used (before
the advent of chloroform) in surgery
- George Estabrooks - 1943 published
'Hypnotism' focussing on direct authoritarian approaches
- Dave Elman - c1950 created a powerful
set of rapid induction techniques
- Milton Erickson - 1901-1980 pioneered
the use of an indirect permissive approach using metaphorical
stories and deliberately ambiguous language patterns. One
of the original therapists modelled by Bandler and Grinder
at the conception of NLP
|
Trance is a deep state of mental relaxation; a natural state which
we experience all the time. Have you ever had the experience of
getting to the end of a familiar car journey and realising that
you couldn't remember anything that happened along the way? You
were perfectly safe, its just that your thoughts were somewhere
else. If something had come up which needed your full conscious
attention - a dog in the road, unexpected road works, etc. - then
you would have snapped right out of your driving trance and back
into the here and now. Other examples of everyday trances include
daydreaming during a lecture or meeting and that state somewhere
between sleep and not being asleep where your mind is quiet and
your thoughts have a dreamlike quality.
Trance blurs the boundaries between our conscious and unconscious
mind and allows us to become more open to suggestions. The potential
power of suggestions is clear to anyone who has watched a stage
hypnotist at work. Now a stage hypnotist's suggestions are likely
to wear off after only a little while ... they are so ridiculous
that the mind simply re-adjusts to the 'real' world. But what about
suggestions that install beliefs and reactions that seem to help
and support us? These are much more likely to stick and the promise
of being 'fixed' by an all knowing hypnotherapist is very aluring.
But who is deciding exactly what to install? Who's words are the
suggestions in and could they be 'mis'-interpreted by your unconscious?
A suggestion may achieve the desired outcome but at the cost of
internal tensions - a bit like pressing the brake and accelerator
of the car at the same time. The following story illustrates my
point further:
- 'A man goes to a hypnotherapist who offers a 'one hour guaranteed
stop smoking' session. He doesn't really remember too much about
what happened but leaves feeling somehow 'different'. A few weeks
later the hypnotherapist sees him on the street and notices that
he is smoking. He goes over to find out what went 'wrong': "I
don't understand it" explained the hypnotist, "I hypnotised
you so that cigarettes would taste like horse sh*t ... didn't
it work at all?" "Oh yes - it worked perfectly: they
taste disgusting!" explained the man. "But you get used
to it..."'
Not all hypnotherapists promise magical one hour quick fixes or
read out 'one size fits all' scripts picked out from their folder.
There are many skillful hypnotherapists out there who will ensure
the ecology of what they do. If we do decide to use formal trance
inductions as part of our work together I will do everything I can
to ensure that you are comfortable, that the suggestions are tailored
to your individual circumstances and utilised to help you find your
own solutions. You will always be aware and in ultimate control.
Deep trance is a wonderfully peaceful place and you may be keen
to learn self-hypnosis or meditation techniques.
 |
If you are curious and want to have an experience of a
light trance state now you can click
here to open another window with a larger version of the
spiral.
As you focus your attention on the centre allow your body,
eyes and mind to let go and relax. After a while you may be
surprised to notice that the diagram seems to start to move.
Notice how much more quiet and calm you feel inside. The more
you relax the deeper you can go.
To come back to your normal waking state simply look away
and give yourself a shake. |
Return to 'Change techniques'
|
