About Hypnosis:
Hypnosis has been practiced since antiquity. Hypnosis is believed to have been originated in ancient Egypt.

The practice of hypnosis has been used in Europe since the turn of the century by medical and mental health professionals. Hypnosis was approved as a legitimate adjunct to medical science by the American Medical Association in 1958. The American Psychological Association approved the use of hypnosis in psychotherapy in the 1990's. In 1993, the National Institute of Health approved the use of hypnosis for pain management.

What is hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a state of focused concentration and clear attention which is inwardly directed. This usually develops a trance state. A trance state is reflected by an absorption in deep thought or relaxation. When you are driving and you concentrate on the white lines that are moving past you on the highway, a state of trace can develop. It can happen to anyone when they concentrate very hard on any one thing. This can occur in a variety of ways, such as through listening to music, reading a book, or watching television.

When we are hypnotized, we are fully aware of our surroundings but focused inwardly to a high degree. Some call this state of internal focus a hypnotic state of being. In this example, you would be in a state of self hypnosis.

Under the guidance of a certified health care professional, you are induced into a controlled state of trance which is called being hypnotized. This is accomplished under the guidance of a hypnotherapist who will use gentle relaxation exercises to allow you to let go of the stresses of the day. A body response is activated that is calming and peaceful. You may be asked to visualize a favorite place that is safe, secure and helpful in healing your body and spirit.

These exercises cause your mind and body to become receptive to the goals that you want to achieve. These goals were communicated to the hypnotherapist during your intake interview. You are in control of the direction that hypnotherapy takes. The hypnotherapist does not go beyond the limits that you have set. These are guidelines that are contained in the ethical standards of professional hypnotherapy organizations. Please refer to www.apmha.com and www.natboard.com for these professional ethical standards.

The help of a professional provides you with a secure and safe environment. Hypnosis allows an individual to access parts of themselves that are not accessible in an alert, conscious state of mind. Many symptoms can be improved through the use of hypnosis.

It has been proven that hypnosis can enhance the immune system, reduce anxiety, improve allergic reaction symptoms, memory, insomnia, will power and motivation. A release of endorphins occurs in states of relaxation. Many medical journals are reporting successful uses of hypnosis in a variety of healing situations.

Hypnotherapy can usually help most people. Some people are more easily hypnotized than others. Hypnosis may be achieved in one session. For others, it may take more sessions to reach a light trace state. What is most common is that the majority of people do not feel hypnotized. Most likely, this occurs because they experience hypnosis as a complete state of relaxation.

Pre-conceived notions about hypnosis are usually based upon stage presentations that reflect people who do not seem to be conscious of their actions. On stage, they are directed by the hypnotist to accomplish tasks such as barking like a dog or quacking like a duck which are out of the individual's character. This adds to the confusion of what the state of hypnosis would look or feel like.

What is not common knowledge by the general public is that the people who participate in stage hypnosis have made a prior agreement with the hypnotist to perform these non-characteristic tasks in front of an audience. Unfortunately, stage hypnosis has become representative of the art of hypnosis. This has caused concern about the use of hypnosis by the general public because it implies that the individuals on stage are not acting of their own free will. Stage hypnotists are usually not certified to perform hypnotherapy in a clinical setting.

The American Psychology Association has approved the use of hypnosis as an adjunct to psychotherapy. It is also used in the treatment of addictive behaviors. In 1993, the National Institute of Health gave its support for the use of hypnosis for pain management. The Harvard Medical School has conducted scientific research with the use of CAT Scans that reflect brain activity. They have found evidence that the use of hypnosis creates physiological changes that can be measured during the state of hypnosis. The study indicates that certain parts of the brain are activated in a trance state which facilitates pain management.

Medical science is still working on understanding exactly how hypnosis accomplishes pain reduction and how the mind begins to control the body for pain management. It is an exciting time in brain research. Many mysteries of the mind and human behavior are beginning to unfold. I believe that the process of hypnosis and its benefits will be validated through science. Hypnosis will be validated by this new technology and stand the test of time as a healing agent for humanity.

What Happens When You Contact A Health Care Professional?
When you contact a health care professional for hypnosis, they will perform an intake interview, honor your expressed goals for the use of hypnotherapy, and develop a treatment plan that will utilize a specified number of sessions which should help you accomplish your goals.

Most goals can be accomplished in three to five sessions, although it is not uncommon to require additional sessions. The success of hypnotherapy totally depends on the individuals' unique desires and needs. The individual's desire and intention to work with the suggestions and directions that are given by the hypnotherapist is usually the assurance that will define success. A professional can give you feedback on what is necessary for you to reach your goal.

The results of hypnosis can be temporary or long lasting but are dependent upon each individual. Hypnosis is an interactive process between the hypnotherapist and the client.

The hypnotherapist becomes a catalyst or facilitator, providing the client with a structured pathway to support clients in reaching their goals. This is highly dependent on the client's willingness to follow the suggestions of the hypnotherapist after the sessions are completed. The client must take the time for self care and devotion to the commitment to the process.

Qualified hypnotherapists are those mental health and medical care professionals that have been trained in the use of hypnosis and are licensed in their fields. A certification in the practice of hypnosis by a professional organization is required to practice hypnotherapy in most states.

To find out more information you may contact the National Board for Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists at www.natboard.com or the American Psychotherapy and Medical Hypnosis Association at www.apmha.com.