Home     What is Hypnosis     Fears     Memory     Pain     Regression    Sports    Stop Smoking    Stressed?    
Stroke Recovery     Test Taking Jitters       Weight Loss     Imagery

What is Hypnosis?

    What is hypnosis? Hypnosis is a powerful tool for accessing the subconscious mind and achieving personal goals or affecting desired changes. It may be used alone or in conjunction with other therapeutic techniques.

    Despite its awesome power, there are few techniques less understood, or more plagued by misconceptions. Western medicine has been trying to understand hypnosis since the 1700’s. But it has only been within the last two decades that we have truly begun to understand what hypnosis is, and what it can do for us.

    Unfortunately, many of the misconceptions that have developed over the centuries still exist in people’s minds. The average person may think hypnosis is sleep, unconscious, mind control or even magic. These beliefs unfortunately continue to persist.  Many misconceptions are perpetuated by novels and films. These misconceptions prevent people, who could benefit from hypnosis, from ever trying it. Those who do often spend their first session unlearning their misconceptions.

    Hypnosis is not sleep, unconsciousness, mind control or even magic. In fact it is a heightened state of awareness. The person is fully aware, in control and able to respond to requests, either verbally or by a signal. Ask a hypnotized person to make a specific, reasonable movement, he/she will comply. 

    There is no surrender of control or power, no magic. No one can be hypnotized against his or her will; or made to do anything that he or she does not want to.

Everyone of average intelligence and higher can be hypnotized if they chose to. 

    Hypnosis is now considered to be a state of selective thinking, where the person (who is in control) chooses to experience only what is relevant to the task at hand, blocking out everything else. It may also be described as guided concentration.

The guidance may be provided by a qualified Hypnotherapist, or in the case of self-hypnosis, by the individual. 

    However you think of it, hypnosis is a method for communicating directly with the subconscious mind. Few people realize the awesome power their subconscious mind has over their lives. The causes for many bad habits are rooted in memories or perceptions that may be forgotten by the conscious mind but retained in the subconscious. Hypnosis helps to access the subconscious and change those habits more quickly and easily.

    Although hypnosis is a not a panacea, there are many areas where it has proven to be tremendously helpful including overcoming fears, eliminating bad habits like smoking and overeating. It is helpful in pain control, managing stress, memory enhancement, improving concentration, or relieving insomnia. Hypnosis is a tool anyone can use and everyone should understand.

    The American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association have approved hypnotherapy for use by professionally responsible individuals. The British Medical Association also adopted hypnosis as a viable therapeutic tool in 1958. (The same year as the AMA)

    What your mind causes, your mind can correct. Wellness begins in your mind. Every problem has a cause, and when you eliminate the cause from the subconscious mind, the problem will disappear.

In what areas is Hypnotherapy helpful?

  • Stress & Relaxation

  • Stop Smoking

  • Sports Enhancement

  • Insomnia

  • Stuttering

  • Nail Biting

  • Motivation

  • Bed Wetting

  • Pain Management

  • Fears

  • Addictions

  • Public Speaking

  • Weight Reduction

  • Visualization & Guided Imagery

  • Medical/Dental Procedures

  • Self Confidence, Self Esteem

  • Sexual Dysfunction

  • High Blood Pressure

  • Tension Headaches

  • Memory & Concentration

  • Co-dependency Issues

  • Catastrophic Illness

  • Body & Mind Healing

  • Inner Child Dialogue

  • Test Taking/Study Habits

  • Regression Therapy

  • Disabilities, MD, etc.

 And so much more . .

Hypnosis works!

What you believe you can do, you will do. You can change your life through the power of your mind.

Your comments and questions are welcome Comments@pghc.net (please include your topic in the subject line)

© IMDHA   Revised - PGHC, Inc 2001