HYPNOSIS AND ITS USE IN CLINICAL PRACTICE

My goal is to explain what hypnosis actually is, and in doing so remove certain myths surrounding its use. I have also included specific descriptions of how I have used hypnotherapy in my clinical practice for over 25 years.

WHO CAN BE A HYPNOTIST?

The first distinction to be made is the difference between a hypnotist and a hypnotherapist. Hypnotists hypnotize people for fun, hypnotherapists do so to accomplish some healing or therapeutic goal. Unfortunately, the terms are frequently used interchangeably, and most states do not require any type of licensing for a "hypnotherapist". So it is important to understand the academic and training background of a "hypnotherapist" if you have a therapeutic goal in mind.

WHAT IS A TRANCE?

The hypnotic trance state is best described as a state of deep concentration, focus and relaxation. The capacity for trance appears to be innate, though a person can deepen this state with practice (much like practice can somewhat improve meditation). In the trance state, much like sleep, awareness is reduced, if not eliminated; but unlike sleep, the trance state is highly focused. The role of the hypnotherapist is to utilize the patient's capacity for this intense state of concentration by focusing their attention on what therapeutic goal they want to accomplish. Hypnotherapy is apt to be most successful when the goal is specific and well-defined. For instance, eliminating a specific phobia, a desire to stop cigarette smoking, reducing the fear of public speaking can all be well defined goals that are achievable with hypnotherapy. There are three aspects to the actual hypnosis exercise: the induction into trance, the relaxation to deepen the trance and the post-hypnotic suggestions tailored to the goal of behavioral, attitudinal or emotional change.

THE INDUCTION

Techniques which can be used to induce the trance state (capture the patient's attention) vary. They range from focusing on a swinging pendant to concentrating on breathing. The goal is to help the patient relax and to focus their attention. A change in attitude, feelings or behavior is apt to be accomplished more quickly when the patient is in this relaxed, receptive state. Since I audiotape all hypnosis exercises with my patients, my induction is a progressive relaxation technique that I talk the patient through. Practically speaking, using the trance state is a short cut to learning.

POST HYPNOTIC SUGGESTIONS

The precise wording of post-hypnotic suggestions is ideally accomplished with the direct participation of the patient. For one (or two) sessions before the actual hypnosis exercise, my patients and I design the simple, straightforward statements (usually 3 or 4) that capture and strengthen the motivation for the desired goal of hypnosis. I am the guide, asking questions, simplifying and re-working the statements so that they best reflect the patients own "voice". The actual exercise, from induction to suggestions, is then audio taped as it is being experienced by the patient. The whole exercise is 10-12 minutes long. The patient is then instructed to practice with the audio tape on a schedule which I suggest for them for at least a month with intermittent phone contacts with me.

So the use of hypnosis is a collaborative effort of preparation, focus, and practice--there is nothing magic about it. The effectiveness of the technique is significantly affected by the motivation of the patient and the trustworthiness and skill of the hypnotherapist. Unlike therapy, the question of "why" the patient engages in the behavior they want to eliminate is not addressed. As with therapy, the collaboration and trust between the therapist and patient are essential to its success.