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Terre Haute, IN 47802
812-235-3738
Definition of Hypnosis
Hypnosis is a state of inner absorption, concentration and focused attention. It is like using a magnifying glass
to focus the rays of the sun and make them more powerful. Similarly, when our minds are concentrated and
focused, we are able to use our minds more powerfully. Because hypnosis allows people to use more of their
potential, learning self-hypnosis is the ultimate act of self-control.
Everyone has experienced a trance many times, but we don’t usually call it hypnosis. All of us have been so
absorbed in thought –while reading a book, or riding the bus to work– that we fail to notice what is happening
around us. While we were zoned out, another level of consciousness, which we refer to as our unconscious
mind, took over. These are very focused states of attention similar to hypnosis.
Clinical hypnotists do essentially three things with hypnosis. They encourage the use of imagination. Mental
imagery is very powerful, especially in a focused state of attention. The mind seems capable of using imagery,
even if it is only symbolic, to assist us in bringing about the things we are imagining. For example, a patient
with ulcerative colitis may be asked to imagine what her distressed colon looks like. If she imagines it as
being like a tunnel, with very red, inflamed walls that are rough in texture, the patient may be encouraged in
hypnosis (and in self-hypnosis) to imagine this image changing to a healthy one.
Another basic hypnotic method is to present ideas or suggestions to the patient. In a state of concentrated
attention, ideas and suggestions that are compatible with what the patient wants seem to have a more
powerful impact on the mind.
Finally, hypnosis may be used for unconscious exploration, to better understand underlying motivations or
identify whether past events or experiences are associated with causing a problem. Hypnosis avoids the
critical censor of the conscious mind, which often defeats what we know to be in our best interests.
Myths About Hypnosis:
People often fear that being hypnotized will make them lose control, surrender their will, and result in their
being dominated, but a hypnotic state is not the same thing as gullibility or weakness. Many people base their
assumptions about hypnotism on stage acts but fail to take into account that stage hypnotists screen their
volunteers to select those who are cooperative, with possible exhibitionist tendencies, as well as responsive
to hypnosis. Stage acts help create a myth about hypnosis which discourages people from seeking legitimate
hypnotherapy.
Another myth about hypnosis is that people lose consciousness and have amnesia. A small percentage of
subjects, who go into very deep levels of trance will fit this stereotype and have spontaneous amnesia. The
majority of people remember everything that occurs in hypnosis. This is beneficial, because the most of what
we want to accomplish in hypnosis may be done in a medium depth trance, where people tend to remember
everything.
In hypnosis, the patient is not under the control of the hypnotist. Hypnosis is not something imposed on people,
but something they do for themselves. A hypnotist simply serves as a facilitator to guide them.
When Will Hypnosis Be Beneficial?
We believe that hypnosis will be optimally effective when the patient is highly motivated to overcome a
problem and when the clinician is well trained in both hypnosis and in general considerations relating to the
treatment of the particular problem. Some individuals seem to have higher native hypnotic talent and capacity
that may allow them to benefit more readily from hypnosis.
It is important to keep in mind that hypnosis is like any other therapeutic modality: it is of major benefit to some
patients with some problems, and it is helpful with many other patients, but it can fail, just like any other clinical
method. For this reason, we emphasize that we are not "hypnotists", but health care professionals who use
hypnosis along with other tools of our professions.