Archive for the ‘Hypnotherapy’ Category
October 11th, 2011 | 
Author: How Hypnotherapy Actually Works
Hypnotherapy and the Mind Body Connection
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529 East New Haven Boulevard
Downtown Melbourne
Phone: 321-768-7575
To set an appointment, please visit our Melbourne center, or contact us by telephone. We look forward to meeting you soon.
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The term “hypnosis” comes from the Greek word hypnos, meaning “sleep.” Hypnotherapists use exercises that bring about deep relaxation and an altered state of consciousness, also known as a trance. A person in a deeply focused state is unusually responsive to an idea or image, but this does not mean that a hypnotist can control the person’s mind and free will. On the contrary, hypnosis can actually teach people how to master their own states of awareness. By doing so they can affect their own bodily functions and psychological responses.
What is the history of hypnosis?
Throughout history, trance states have been used by shamans and ancient peoples in rituals and religious ceremonies. But hypnosis as we know it today was first associated with the work of an Austrian physician named Franz Anton Mesmer. In the 1700s, Mesmer believed that illnesses were caused by magnetic fluids in the body getting out of balance. He used magnets and other hypnotic techniques (the word “mesmerized” comes from his name) to treat people. But the medical community was not convinced. Mesmer was accused of fraud, and his techniques were called unscientific.
Hypnotherapy regained popularity in the mid-1900s due to Milton H. Erickson (1901 – 1980), a successful psychiatrist who used hypnosis in his practice. In 1958, both the American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association recognized hypnotherapy as a valid medical procedure. Since 1995, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has recommended hypnotherapy as a treatment for chronic pain.
Other conditions for which hypnotherapy is frequently used include anxiety and addiction. (See “What illnesses or conditions respond well to hypnotherapy?”)
How does hypnosis work?
When something happens to us, we remember it and learn a particular behavior in response to what happened. Each time something similar happens, our physical and emotional reactions attached to the memory are repeated. In some cases these reactions are unhealthy. In some forms of hypnotherapy, a trained therapist guides you to remember the event that led to the first reaction, separate the memory from the learned behavior, and replace unhealthy behaviors with new, healthier ones.
During hypnosis, your body relaxes and your thoughts become more focused. Like other relaxation techniques, hypnosis lowers blood pressure and heart rate, and changes certain types of brain wave activity. In this relaxed state, you will feel at ease physically yet fully awake mentally and may be highly responsive to suggestion. If you are trying to quit smoking, for example, a therapist’s suggestion may help convince you that you will not like the taste of cigarettes in the future. Some people respond better to hypnotic suggestion than others.
There are several stages of hypnosis:
Reframing the problem
Becoming relaxed, then absorbed (deeply engaged in the words or images presented by a hypnotherapist)
Dissociating (letting go of critical thoughts)
Responding (complying with a hypnotherapist’s suggestions)
Returning to usual awareness
Reflecting on the experience
What happens during a visit to the hypnotherapist?
During your first visit, you will be asked about your medical history and what brought you in — what condition you would like to address. The hypnotherapist may explain to you what hypnosis is and how it works. You will then be directed through relaxation techniques, using a series of mental images and suggestions intended to change behaviors and relieve symptoms. For example, people who have panic attacks may be given the suggestion that, in the future, they will be able to relax whenever they want. The hypnotherapist will also teach you the basics of self-hypnosis and give you an audiotape to use at home so you can reinforce what you learn during the session.
How many treatments will I need?
Each session lasts about an hour, and most people start to see results within 4 – 10 sessions. You and your hypnotherapist will monitor and evaluate your progress over time. Children (aged 9 – 12) are easily hypnotized and may respond after only one or two visits.
What illnesses or conditions respond well to hypnosis?
Hypnosis is used in a variety of settings — from emergency rooms to dental offices to outpatient clinics. Clinical studies suggest that hypnosis may improve immune function, increase relaxation, decrease stress, and ease pain and feelings of anxiety.
Hypnotherapy can reduce the fear and anxiety that some people feel before medical or dental procedures. For example, hypnosis may improve recovery time and reduce anxiety as well as pain following surgery. Clinical trials on burn patients suggest that hypnosis decreases pain (enough to replace pain medication) and speeds healing. Generally, clinical studies show that using hypnosis may reduce your need for medication, improve your mental and physical condition before an operation, and reduce the time it takes to recover. Dentists also use hypnotherapy to control gagging and bleeding.
A hypnotherapist can teach you self-regulation skills. For instance, someone with arthritis may learn to turn down pain like the volume on a radio. Hypnotherapy can also be used to help manage chronic illness. Self-hypnosis can enhance a sense of control, which is often lacking when someone has a chronic illness.
Clinical studies on children in emergency treatment centers show that hypnotherapy reduces fear, anxiety, and discomfort.
Are there any risks associated with hypnotherapy?
Before considering hypnotherapy, you need a diagnosis from your doctor to know what needs to be treated. This is especially true if your condition is psychological (for example, a phobia or anxiety), and you should be evaluated by a psychiatrist. Without an accurate diagnosis, hypnotherapy could make your symptoms worse. Very rarely, hypnotherapy leads to the development of “false memories” made up by the unconscious mind; these are called confabulations.
How can I find a hypnotherapist?
Most hypnotherapists are licensed medical doctors, registered nurses, social workers, or family counselors who have received additional training in hypnotherapy. For example, members of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH) must hold a doctorate in medicine, dentistry, podiatry or psychology, or a master’s level degree in nursing, social work, psychology or marital/family therapy with at least 20 hours of ASCH-approved training in hypnotherapy. The American Psychotherapy and Medical Hypnosis Association provide certificates for licensed medical and mental health professionals who complete a 6 – 8 week course.
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529 East New Haven Boulevard
Downtown Melbourne
Phone: 321-768-7575
Hypnosis is not a therapy in itself. Rather a therapy is conducted in hypnosis, which is known as hypnotherapy. Hypnosis is a state of relaxation and concentration at one with the state of heightened awareness induced by suggestion. It is a natural trance state, like daydreaming, when the mind is relaxed and focused, where time passes very quickly, accompanied by good feelings of deep relaxation of mind and body.
Hypnotherapy is a treatment that is based on the premise that the mind and body do not work in isolation. By sending the patient into a hypnotic state, the therapist aims to trigger the body’s mental and physical self-healing processes that lie in the subconscious.
Anybody can be sent into a hypnotic state; it is not a sign of gullibility or suggestibility on the part of the patient. Hypnosis induces a state of relaxation and concentration that practitioners claim is a natural manifestation of the mind at work.
When undergoing hypnotherapy, patients are conscious and aware, but are open to the power of suggestion. They cannot be induced to do anything against their will.
How Does Hypnotherapy Work?
The autonomic nervous system controls all the automatic functions of the body while we are asleep and it has been proven that words and suggestion can affect the central nervous system while we are awake.
Distracting the conscious mind causes a dissociation of the conscious and unconscious mind and is the first step in inducing hypnosis. There are many differing techniques a Hypnotherapist can use to put a client into hypnosis.
By talking to their clients in a soothing voice and getting them to visualize relaxing and monotonous situations, practitioners are able to send their clients into a state of very deep relaxation where they will still be aware of their surroundings but are very much more sensitive to suggestion.
Once the patient has closed their eyes, the Hypnotherapist deepens the trance by suggesting to the conscious mind to daydream or relax. While the conscious mind is inactive the subject is likely to respond to all suggestions literally. Positive suggestions are then introduced and absorbed by the conscious mind. When in this state, the patient’s subconscious can be ‘reprogrammed’ to deal with certain feelings in a different way and as such, hypnotherapy is not only very effective in the treatment of phobias, addictions, but it can also reduce stress and alleviate pain.
What Ailments Is Hypnotherapy Suitable For Treating?
Hypnotherapy is useful for treating a variety of complaints, both physical and mental. Used in conjunction with other therapies, such as psychoanalysis, hypnotherapy can help patients to overcome certain psychological complaints, including Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, depression, phobias, and neuroses. It is particularly useful for overcoming:
Phobias
Negative habits
Symptoms of Physical Complaints:
Allergies
Fibromyalgia
Insomnia
Irritable bowel syndrome
Pain
Hypertension
Used in conjunction with conventional medical treatment, hypnotherapy has demonstrated positive benefits in the treatment of cancer.
Hypnotherapy is also useful in providing general health benefits, such as improving posture and digestion, reducing dependence on sleeping pills or tranquillizers, and helping to eradicate stress.
Meet Dr. Kathy Doner, MD
Our Hypnotherapist is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Dr. Doner practiced in her private office in Sebastian, Florida for over twenty-one years. She also served on the Medical Staff at Sebastian River Medical Center and on its Board of Trustees.
Throughout the years of practice Dr. Doner always addressed the whole person– body, mind, emotions and spirit. She also stressed preventive medicine such as good nutrition, exercise, social support, the search for meaning in life, and stress reduction.
In order to help people more effectively change negative habits and improve their well being, she created a Hypnotherapy practice, CD’s for home use, and community workshops.
In 2002 Dr. Doner sold her medical practice and is now fully committed to this holistic approach. For more information on Dr. Doner visit her website www.kathydonermd.com
To set an appointment, please visit our Melbourne center, or contact us by telephone. We look forward to meeting you soon
529 East New Haven Boulevard
Downtown Melbourne
Phone: 321-768-7575
Hypnosis is not a therapy in itself. Rather a therapy is conducted in hypnosis, which is known as hypnotherapy. Hypnosis is a state of relaxation and concentration at one with the state of heightened awareness induced by suggestion. It is a natural trance state, like daydreaming, when the mind is relaxed and focused, where time passes very quickly, accompanied by good feelings of deep relaxation of mind and body.
Hypnotherapy is a treatment that is based on the premise that the mind and body do not work in isolation. By sending the patient into a hypnotic state, the therapist aims to trigger the body’s mental and physical self-healing processes that lie in the subconscious.
Anybody can be sent into a hypnotic state; it is not a sign of gullibility or suggestibility on the part of the patient. Hypnosis induces a state of relaxation and concentration that practitioners claim is a natural manifestation of the mind at work.
When undergoing hypnotherapy, patients are conscious and aware, but are open to the power of suggestion. They cannot be induced to do anything against their will.
How Does Hypnotherapy Work?
The autonomic nervous system controls all the automatic functions of the body while we are asleep and it has been proven that words and suggestion can affect the central nervous system while we are awake.
Distracting the conscious mind causes a dissociation of the conscious and unconscious mind and is the first step in inducing hypnosis. There are many differing techniques a Hypnotherapist can use to put a client into hypnosis.
By talking to their clients in a soothing voice and getting them to visualize relaxing and monotonous situations, practitioners are able to send their clients into a state of very deep relaxation where they will still be aware of their surroundings but are very much more sensitive to suggestion.
Once the patient has closed their eyes, the Hypnotherapist deepens the trance by suggesting to the conscious mind to daydream or relax. While the conscious mind is inactive the subject is likely to respond to all suggestions literally. Positive suggestions are then introduced and absorbed by the conscious mind. When in this state, the patient’s subconscious can be ‘reprogrammed’ to deal with certain feelings in a different way and as such, hypnotherapy is not only very effective in the treatment of phobias, addictions, but it can also reduce stress and alleviate pain.
What Ailments Is Hypnotherapy Suitable For Treating?
Hypnotherapy is useful for treating a variety of complaints, both physical and mental. Used in conjunction with other therapies, such as psychoanalysis, hypnotherapy can help patients to overcome certain psychological complaints, including Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, depression, phobias, and neuroses. It is particularly useful for overcoming:
- Phobias
- Negative habits
- Symptoms of Physical Complaints:
- Allergies
- Fibromyalgia
- Insomnia
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Pain
- Hypertension
- Used in conjunction with conventional medical treatment, hypnotherapy has demonstrated positive benefits in the treatment of cancer.
Hypnotherapy is also useful in providing general health benefits, such as improving posture and digestion, reducing dependence on sleeping pills or tranquillizers, and helping to eradicate stress.
Meet Dr. Kathy Doner, MD
Our Hypnotherapist is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Dr. Doner practiced in her private office in Sebastian, Florida for over twenty-one years. She also served on the Medical Staff at Sebastian River Medical Center and on its Board of Trustees.
Throughout the years of practice Dr. Doner always addressed the whole person– body, mind, emotions and spirit. She also stressed preventive medicine such as good nutrition, exercise, social support, the search for meaning in life, and stress reduction.
In order to help people more effectively change negative habits and improve their well being, she created a Hypnotherapy practice, CD’s for home use, and community workshops.
In 2002 Dr. Doner sold her medical practice and is now fully committed to this holistic approach. For more information on Dr. Doner visit her website www.kathydonermd.com
To set an appointment, please visit our Melbourne center, or contact us by telephone. We look forward to meeting you soon.