Forget what you know about hypnosis from movies or television programs. If you go to a stage hypnotist, sure, he’ll have you hopping around like a rabbit; it’s his job to give the audience a good time. A health professional on the other hand, is there to help change a behaviour, leaving no room for embarressment.

Many people question if they can actually be hypnotised. Well, if you’ve driven to work on auto-pilot, reaching your destination without any recollection of the drive there, or been completely enthralled in a romantic comedy or footy game on TV, then you’ve been in trance.

We are being hypnotised everyday by the news we hear on the radio, the advertisements we see on billboards, even playing a musical instrument can be a hypnotic experience. Deep absorption in the task at hand and losing track of the time are both indications of hypnosis.

What is hypnosis.. really?

Hypnosis is often defined as an altered state of consciousness where people become more suggestible. According to Dr. Gerard Sunnen of the New York University School of Medicine: “ Hypnosis is the most potent non pharmacological relaxing agent known to science.” He will prescribe hypnosis before prescribing a tranquilliser.

Melbourne Clinical Hypnotist, Dr. Bruce Alexander agrees, that hypnosis is one of the most powerful tools, when it comes to results-based therapy. “I am frequently told by clients that they have achieved more in a few sessions with me than months or sometimes years with a their counselor, psychologist or psychiatrist.”

What would you see a hypnotist for? Most things actually.

There are many ways people can use hypnosis to enhance their lives, from conquering stage fright and losing weight, to quitting smoking or getting rid of annoying habits and phobias. Hypnosis can go with you to school, to work, to the playing field, even to the bedroom. Yes, hypnotic suggestions can even improve your sex life!

You can erase ugly habits with hypnosis or use it to stay calm during stressful situations at work. Even when it comes to study, hypnosis can help you learn, retain and recall new information. Hypnosis makes it easy to change your behaviours so you are able to achieve your goals.

A scientific study published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology  found that the addition of hypnosis had a significant and substantial effect on the outcome for weight reduction, and increased over time. Therefore it was especially useful for long-term maintenance of weight loss.

Alexander says he now sees more people for alcohol reduction, than for quitting smoking. “I also see many people for anxiety, self-confidence, fear of public speaking, blushing, gambling addiction, insomnia, fear of flying and other phobias. Even people with sexual issues such as impotence, premature ejaculation and vaginismus gain benefits from hypnosis.”

What to expect..

While it’s a serious therapeutic technique, hypnosis is a pleasant, calming experience that has the ability to transform your life. During a session, a health professional suggests that you experience particular changes in your ideas and future actions. These are called hypnotic suggestions.

Generally the client will not speak, so there is no concern with letting any dark secrets slip out into the public domain. The hypnotist introduces new ideas, which are absorbed by your unconscious mind and become part of your thinking. This state of trance is able to quieten the conscious mind, which likes to analyse and criticise, judge and reject information.

The depth of the trance will depend on the individual. 15 – 20 percent of the population could swap anaesthetic during surgery for the sound of a hypnotherapist’s voice. But at the other end of the scale, 15 – 20 percent will only be able to use hypnosis for removing a bad habit.

A willingness to want to make changes in your life is necessary. If, for example, your partner thinks you should quit smoking, but you don’t want to give up the ciggies, chances are, hypnotism won’t work. The therapist is simply nudging someone to make changes, using suggestions.

How quickly will I see results?

Alexander explains that in hypnosis the Acronym PREM is used, which stands for Positive, Repetitive, Ego-Strengthening and Motivating. “As a general rule, the more frequently a suggestion is repeated, the more likely it will be accepted. The results vary widely, depending on how suggestible a person is.”

Some people can gain all they need from just one session, but Alexander says usually three or so sessions are necessary to get the results they’re seeking. “Hypnosis is a bit like advertising; you don’t just see one advertisement on TV and decide to purchase a product. Repetition helps a lot in hypnotherapy.”

The workings of the human mind

Have you ever noticed, that what you pay attention to, you always find more of? That is why our beliefs become our reality. It’s like tunnel vision. Nothing in itself has meaning until the human brain gives it meaning. Therefore, our pre existing beliefs shape out interpretation of a situation.

Hypnosis works by bypassing the beliefs, giving the client permission to consider new and healthier alternative frames of mind. It allows a person to replace a limiting belief that is holding them back, with a new, more helpful belief. This in turn, changes a person’s thoughts, emotions and behaviours.

Giving new meaning to an old situation could be as simple as developing a strong desire to exercise, or fall asleep easily. Hypnosis can get you to believe that Brussels sprouts are delicious if you really want to!

Essentially, hypnosis helps a person take a negative past memory and reframe it into a learning, so they get a new set of resources. Putting a positive spin on the painful memory, takes the issues from the unconscious mind, bringing them to the conscious mind. Awareness afterall, is the first step to change.

Getting to the root cause

Overcoming a concern often involves uncovering the underlying issue. Alexander says addictions such as smoking, gambling, alcohol and drugs are usually just a mask for stress. “Once you can eliminate the stress or help the client find a way to manage it, there is no longer a need for the unhealthy behaviour or addiction.”

“Stress is often brought on by a fear of judgment, criticism or rejection. People who are sensitive to other’s opinions tend to experience higher levels of stress and anxiety. I use hypnotherapy to help them become more resilient, and in doing so, reduce a lot of the stress they usually feel from social interactions.”

The myths

Contrary to popular belief, it is not necessary to be relaxed during hypnosis. Hypnosis is not meditation, psychotherapy, relaxation or sleep. While hypnosis is the Greek word for sleep, it is quite different. In sleep, you drift off, whereas during hypnosis you are alert and interested in the mental adventure you’re having.

Hypnosis is completely safe. If a suggestion goes against your value system, then you will reject it. Your unconscious mind will not permit the acceptance of suggestions that are dangerous, so you will not rob a bank if you believe that to be morally wrong, no matter what the suggestions used during hypnosis.

Psychotherapist, Dr. Roberta Temes says you will not get stuck in a trance or embarrass yourself while under the spell of a cruel master. “You are in complete control of opening your eyes and returning to your normal state at anytime. You’re not sleeping. You’re conscious of everything around you.”

The original mind body medicine

All communication invites the receiver into a hypnotic trance. Any good storyteller can draw us out of the present and into a world constructed in our mind. Given that our thoughts create our reality, it makes sense, to use our mind as a playground, in which we create our desired future.

FINDING A HYPNOTHERAPIST:  Many therapists these days are using hypnotherapy as part of their practise to gain faster results with clients. Simply ask your psychologist, physician, life coach or nurse if they are in fact qualified in hypnotherapy, or visit a hypnotherapy specialist.