Hypnotherapy is quickly making its way to the forefront as a preferred method of hypnosis because it works on a broader scale
by Julie Pech
Hypnotherapy has been around for decades, but its popularity is on the rise as people look for alternative methods to get to where they want to be on a 21st century time table—fast. If you haven’t looked in to it, you’ve missed out on tapping 90% of your brain power. Fortunately it’s never too late to start.
It’s been proven that we only use an estimated 5-10% of our brain to function while awake. The other 90% might be called the power center, also known as the subconscious. When change is desired, it makes sense to access this power. This part of brain is generally asleep under our conscious, or ego. Hypnotherapy helps put the ego down for a nap so we can tap in to the power center.
Clinical hypnosis has been used successfully in the past, but hypnotherapy is quickly making its way to the forefront as a preferred method of hypnosis because it works on a broader scale. To understand clinical hypnosis, imagine a client with an issue or a goal, a hypnotist and a couch. The client lies on the couch, the hypnotist relaxes them, and then feeds them with affirmations to set their desire in the subconscious. Magically the client awakes and all problems are resolved. Of course, most of this too-good-to-be-true image is simply that—a false image, where patients are magically reformed in a mere moment. It doesn’t quite work this way, and while hypnosis can be relatively successful, it’s not nearly as effective as the new and innovative “hypnotherapy.”
The strength of hypnotherapy lies in its powerful one-two punch—a combination of hypnosis and therapy. The “therapeutic” element generally involves a 30-45 minute consultation between the therapist and the client. Goals and intentions are defined, possible blocks to their attainment are discussed, and an understanding of the client’s needs is assessed. During this consultation, the client will often discover for themselves exactly what their issues are, just as in traditional therapy. This in itself is very personally empowering, but the fun doesn’t end here. When therapy ends, hypnotherapy begins.
While the therapeutic session is in process, the hypnotherapist takes a special interest in the words the client uses, their mannerisms, their gestures and their emotional characteristics. Routine observation? Yes, but the hypnotherapist is actually developing a hypnotic “set,” designed specifically for the client to be used while in trance. When the therapist uses the client’s words and phrases in the session, it puts the client in control of the messages they receive in trance. It also insures that the subconscious will respond most favorably to the work to be done. While this might sound like a alarming prospect—you, the one with the problems, hypnotizing yourself to fix everything—it’s actually much more empowering because your own words are more readily accepted by your subconscious.
The “hypnosis” element of hypnotherapy is more interactive than clinical hypnosis, meaning there’s more dialog between the therapist and the client throughout the session. While you’re in trance, your therapist guides you and gently talks to you about what you’re experiencing. By doing this, the therapist can continually integrate your words into your experience, successfully guiding you toward your intention. It also allows the therapist to move in the direction your subconscious is going, guiding you and helping you identify your issues.
It’s been proven that we’re more receptive to our own words than those of others, but this isn’t such a surprise. With our constant self-talk, we listen to ourselves more than anyone else. Unfortunately this can often prove to be our downfall. When a limited belief system remains stuck in the subconscious, we continue to pound negative statements into our brain day in and day out. But hypnotherapy can teach us to access our highest and most supportive selves. It also helps identify the first time a situation occured, which allows us to change the initial response. Over time, this change moves forward into our present lives and helps us make the changes we desire. But can you just relax and talk to yourself to achieve the same results?
Bobbi Thompson, owner of the School of Integrated Healing in Denver and certified hypnotherapist, notes that “It is sometimes difficult to quiet the mind enough to change subconscious programming to something more positive, and a hypnotherapist helps achieve this necessary level of relaxation. The hypnotherapist also maintains a neutral response to the client’s events, so the guidance occurs with more clarity.” It’s certainly possible to achieve success on your own, but for maximum results on the quickest time table, use a hypnotherapist.
Even if you’ve struggled with a 20 year smoking habit, fear not. In his book Meditation as Medicine, Dr. Dharma Singh Khalsa gives example after example of the enormity of the power of the mind. In one study, people were able to slow the growth of yeast in 151 of 194 dishes simply through focused thought. In another study conducted using a computer generating random numbers, the group was able to “think” the system into generating patterned numbers that were not just statistically significant, but were considered extraordinarily successful. Another startling fact—the group’s success was heightened after they’d “bonded” with the machine, a response Dr. Khalka likened to the emotional attachment some people come to experience with their car.
When you consider that all these experiments were performed with the conscious mind, or only 10% of the mind’s power, you begin to get an idea of the power of the unconscious mind and how accessing it can make goal attainment extremely probable.
Ultimately, whether or not you can stop your habit, jump-start your career or become a world class athlete appears to be based more in your belief system and less in whether or not you can actually achieve it. A deep set pattern, possibly even triggered in early youth, can create a lifetime blueprint that you continually repeat. Ever hear these words? “You’ll never be able to do that! Do it my way fastest it’s the best way. What if it doesn’t work out? Then what are you going to do? You better be careful.” As Bobbi says, “…hypnotherapy allows us to alter the moment an attitude, belief or behavior began and transform it.” No other form of therapy has the ability to access that amount of power for change.
In one of his songs, Dave Matthews sings to his father “it’ll take a life time to undo what you’ve done,” undoubtedly a collective-soul issue we’re all tied to in some indiscriminant way. Fortunately hypnotherapy gives us an option we haven’t had in the past, allowing us to recreate our purpose and intentions in our own words, to deeply set our deepest desires within our subconscious and to change lifetime patterns by altering our response to their very beginnings.
To find a certified hypnotherapist in your area, try www.hypnosisonline.com or www.natboard.com (National Board for Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists). Both websites offer a nationwide directory divided by state.
Julie Pech is a certified hypnotherapist specializing in career advancement, sports performance and personal achievement. She’s also a free lance writer, as well as the author of “The Chocolate Therapist: A User’s Guide to the Extraordinary Health Benefits of Chocolate.” For hypnotherapy information, contact author Julie Pech, CHt, at: 720-981-5806 or [email protected] Website: www.goalfocusedtherapy.com. For book information go to: www.thechocolatetherapist.com.