What is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is a poorly understood technique that has multiple definitions, descriptions, and forms. It is generally agreed that the hypnotic state is different from both sleep and ordinary wakefulness, but just exactly what it consists of remains unclear. Hypnosis is sometimes described as a form of heightened attention combined with deep relaxation, uncritical openness, and voluntarily lowered resistance to suggestion. Thus, one might say that when you watch an engrossing movie and allow yourself to surrender to it as if it were reality, you are undergoing something indistinguishable from hypnosis.

In therapeutic hypnosis, the hypnotherapist uses one of several techniques to induce a hypnotic state. The most famous (and dated) technique is the swinging watch accompanied by the...

Hypnosis has been recognized for many yeas as an effective technique for controlling various symptoms. It may improve immune function, promote relaxation, control stress, ease pain and feelings of anxiety. Below are some of the health conditions in that may respond to hypnotherapy:

• Tension or Migraine headaches
• Asthma
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Phobias
• Stress
• Cancer-related pain
• Eating disorders
• Indigestion
• Fibromyalgia

Safety Issues

In the hands of a competent practitioner, hypnotherapy should present no more risks than any other form of psychotherapy. These risks might include worsening of the original problem and temporary fluctuations in mood.

Contrary to various works of fiction, hypnosis does not give the hypnotist absolute power over his subject. However, as with all forms of psychotherapy, the hypnotherapist does gain some power over the client through the client’s trust; an unethical therapist can abuse this.