What is Clinical Hypnosis?
When hypnosis is used for treating a
physical or psychological problem, it is
called clinical hypnosis, or hypnotherapy.
Clinical hypnosis is an altered state of
awareness, much like a highly relaxed state
of mind, in which a person is highly receptive
to therapeutic suggestions.
It is a natural
experience that almost everyone has experienced.
Examples include watching a TV program
or videogame and being so engrossed in
it that you are unaware that someone
may have left or entered the room. Or,
perhaps you were driving and became briefly
unaware of turning left or right because
you were thinking of something else (i.e., “highway
hypnosis”).
Daydreaming is yet another example of
an altered state of mind.
How is Clinical Hypnosis
different from Stage Hypnosis?
In California , use of hypnosis for psychotherapeutic
purposes is restricted to health professionals
such as physicians, dentists, and psychotherapists
who have completed post-graduate courses
with supervision. Stage hypnosis is for
entertainment purposes, not therapeutic
purposes. Stage hypnotists give you the
impression that they have complete control
over you. However, with clinical hypnosis,
you are the one with complete control,
contrary to popular misconception (see
more misbeliefs below).
What types of problems are
treated with Clinical Hypnosis?
Psychological problems such as:
- Anxiety/Panic
- Fear/Phobia
- Smoking
- Weight Management
- Substance Abuse
- Speech
Problems (e.g., stuttering)
- Depression
- Stress
- Self-esteem/Motivation
- Sports/Performance Enhancement
Medical problems such as:
- Pain management
- Surgery/anesthesia
- RSD
- Childbirth/Labor
- Abdominal Pain (e.g.,
Crohn’s Disease, IBS)
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Bleeding
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Diabetes
- Warts
- Headache
- Pediatric conditions
such as bedwetting (Enuresis)
- Sleep Disorders
- Feeding/Eating Disorders
- Anxiety/Fears
- Tics and Tourette Syndrome
Dentistry such as:
- Dental Anxiety/fear
- Bruxism
- Control of Bleeding,
- Gagging
What are common misbeliefs
about Clinical Hypnosis?
| “I will lose consciousness.” |
False. You experience
a very relaxed state and are aware
of everything, yet are focused on
what the professional is saying. |
| “I will lose control.” |
False. You
are in control at all times. You cannot
be made to do anything against your
will. If you want to end the hypnotic
state, you may do so at any time. |
| “I won’t be able to talk.” |
False. You CAN talk
while in a hypnotic state. |
| “I won’t be able to come
out of a trance.” |
False. If
you want to end the hypnotic state,
you can do so at anytime. |
How
long does hypnotherapy take?
Like most other treatments, it will depend
on the nature and severity of the problem.
It may take only one session for problems
such as smoking, or more sessions, for
other problems. Clinical hypnosis is often
used in combination with other forms of
psychotherapy.
How much does
hypnotherapy cost?
Some insurance companies will cover the
fee, which is charged per clinical hour
of 45 minutes. Please call for information
regarding the fee.
For more information you may contact
the two major professional hypnosis organizations
in the US (see below). All members of these
organizations are licensed professionals.
American
Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH)*
130 East Elm Court
Suite 201
Rosell , Illinois 60172-2000
Phone: (630) 980-4740
Email info@ASCH.NET
* I’m a Member of its Board of
Governors, Certified by it, and am its
local, contact person.
Society for Clinical
and Experimental Hypnosis (SCEH)
Massachusetts School of Professional
Psychology
221 Rivermoor Street
Boston MA 02132
Phone: (617) 469- 1981
Email: sceh@mspp.edu
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