Hi, my name is Amy Titzer and I am certified in Clinical Hypnosis through the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. Hypnosis is often misunderstood as a kind of weird mind control. The media has portrayed it as some strange and commanding technique that makes you do stuff you would never normally do. But that is "stage hypnosis." True hypnosis or clinical hypnosis, is being very relaxed in mind and body in order to focus on believing a suggestion you want to believe. Eg: "I am a non smoker" or "Losing weight is easy for me now" or "When I speak to a group, I feel very confident" These desired suggestions become a part of the deeper mind - often after just a few sessions. Other behavioral interventions and approaches to change are ususally more time consuming.
Hypnosis can offer profound changes in the way people think, feel, and act. I'll never forget my own first hypnosis session. Afterward, I felt so refreshed, very relaxed and yet somehow energized at the same time. Like I discovered a hidden treasure inside of me. I also recall being a little anxious about what to expect. However, I was given a very clear understanding of what hypnosis really is, what it is not, and what to expect during the session.
What to expect during a hypnosis session. A good hypnotist is also able to quickly establish rapport and trust with a person. So immediately there should be some relief just in speaking a little before the session. Then comes the five stages of hypnosis. The five stages are: Introduction, Induction, Deepening, Therapy, and Wakening. In the introduction a person is usually given suggestions to 'settle in' to the idea of getting comfortable and relaxed in mind and body. Then with the Induction, the conscious mind is more focsed on the inner exoeriences while becoming more relaxed and progressively more focused. The Deepening is where the 'level' of relaxation and focus becomes very deep. However, a person is still aware of what is being said but there is a pleasant 'trance' state of mind and body which feels much more deep than in the Induction. Then comes the Therapy in which a person is given the very suggestions they want to believe in order to make the desired changes. Eg: "Anytime you smell a cigarette you feel slightly nauseous." "You have no desire to put anything in your shopping cart that does not serve your health." And then after the Therapy comes the Wakening or re alerting. This is done gradually so that usually after about a count of 10-20 the person gradually 'wakes' up even though they were not really sleeping. But it can feel similar to waking up from a nice nap.
The changes that occur after one or several hypnosis sessions are different from person to person. Some notice subtle changes, others notice dramatic changes. Some need a couple of sessions, and others may need several. Your own level of open mindedness has a lot to do with the results. Hypnosis may not be for everyone, but you may find your own hidden treasure within yourself if you just give it a try!