Hypnosis goes mainstream in the news ; hypnosis compared to other types of therapy; selected hypnosis research.
See here for a whole free classic hypnosis ebook, Bramwell's Hypnotism and Treatment by Suggestion. It's quaint and antique, a kind of Model "T" Ford of hypnotherapy.
I use a wide variety of techniques into my work - whatever helps sove your problems. Hypnosis is only one tool.Indeed with some people I use only other methods. But it's what people ask most about, so here is brief explanation.
Hypnosis means "trance." You are "in trance" when you are "entranced" by anything. You can become entranced:
As the attention of the conscious or everyday centres of the brain is distracted like this, the way becomes open to access the inner, unconscious, dreaming centres of the brain.
Hypnosis is not in itself a therapy. Rather, it is a kind of driving engine which gives power to other healing methods. In particular, it gives access to the unconscious mind. (What is the unconscious mind?)
Hypnosis is 100% safe. Hypnosis is not identical with relaxation, but the side effects of hypnosis are the same as those of relaxing deeply - you feel refreshed and revitalised. You cannot possibly be stuck in hypnosis any more than you can get stuck relaxing in a recliner. You won't say things you don't want to, or lose control.
Trance is a delightful relaxed feeling, entirely natural to you. It's often rather like lying on the beach … or in a meadow or lawn ... half asleep ... half awake ... hearing the birds ... feeling the sun .... so warm, so pleasant and safe ... all cares a thousand miles away .... and then there's the muffled sound of a mobile ringing ... and you think "that's my phone .... oh ... I can't be bothered ... I'll just leave it ...it'll stop in a minute ..."
Much of the time we will be talking. You know perfectly well what I am saying and what reply to choose to make. All that hypnosis means is that you are giving a very, very relaxed reply.
You know what is happening and remember normally. You are present. You are aware of what is going on. No-one can make you say or do anything you don't want to and should you choose, you could wake up at any time. You remember normally.
Hypnosis is a natural part of your own mind. The commonest thing you are likely to say at the end is "That was SO relaxing."
On the TV you can see very deep states of hypnosis where someone can have a major operation and feel no pain, or remember nothing of the experience afterwards. These states are real, but they are basically laboratory phenomena. They are neither necessary or useful for therapy. Transformative hypnosis - what you will experience - is simply an easy relaxed state of mind. Almost everyone can experience this, and for those few who can't, I just use another method, as effective but different.
All doctors should learn to use hypnosis.
Professor David Spiegel, of Stanford University, speaking at the 2004 meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
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0117-968-7307
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