Why Hypnosis?

What Is Hypnosis?

As proven by modern imaging techniques, hypnosis is a highly focused state of attention different from our everyday states of mind. It has been used for healing purposes in various forms for thousands of years and is typically characterized by increased suggestibility and deep relaxation. It also appears to facilitate access to the knowledge and wisdom which may be buried in the unconscious. Hypnosis was approved by the American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association in the 1950s as a valuable adjunct therapy for disparate applications in medicine and psychology. Today it enjoys wide respect and is utilized in an even wider variety of professional health fields.

How May Hypnosis Be Used?

The use of Clinical Hypnosis in health care practice adds an additional element of creativity and efficacy to a clinician's work.

Hypnosis can be:

An effective therapeutic tool which may be utilized by practitioners of ALL health care disciplines as an adjunct treatment method.
Utilized by psychotherapists of all methodological schools to aid in the treatment of a variety of psychological and physical complaints.
A means of focusing on a client's strengths and utilizing inner resources to effect change.

What Disorders Can Be Treated?

The efficacy of hypnosis has been demonstrated for the treatment of many disorders. Among them are:

• Addictions and Substance Abuse - Alcohol, legal and illegal drugs: heroin, cocaine, amphetamines, percocet, etc.
• Anxiety Disorders - Panic with and without agoraphobia, performance, social phobias, specific phobias, test anxiety and travel anxiety, to name just a few.
• Childbirth - The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis estimates that, based upon members' anecdotal evidence, approximately two thirds of women have been found capable of using hypnosis as the sole analgesic for labor.
• Dental Applications - Dental anxiety and phobia, hyperactive gagging reflex etc.
• Dermatological Disorders - Eczema, herpes, neurodermatitis, pruritis (itching), psoriasis and warts.
• Eating Disorders and Weight Management - Anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, complex disorders, over-indulgence, emotional eating.
• Habit Modification - a) Annoying Habits: nail biting, hair-pulling (trichotillomania), teeth grinding (bruxism), etc. b) Smoking Cessation: for some people hypnosis may be an effective sole agent; for others hypnosis may be part of a program used to assist in smoking cessation.
• Gastrointestinal Disorders - Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Inflammitory Bowl Disorder (IBD), colitis, Crohn's Disease, etc.
• Loss and Grief - death of a loved one, separation, divorce, loss of mental and/or physical capacities.
• Mood Disorders - Depression, dysthymia, bipolar etc.
• Pain Management - Back pain, cancer pain, dental pain, tension headaches, migraines, arthritis, rheumatism, tinnitus, injuries from motor vehicle accidents, pre-during-post-surgery.
• Performance Enhancement - Sports, Stage, and Public Speaking - hypnosis has been found to be effective for improving performance by optimizing concentration, alertness, and flexibility in the modification and incorporation of new techniques.
• Relationship Issues - Couples, parent-child, and family therapy, co-workers and friends issues.
• Surgery / Anesthesiology - Hypnosis can significantly reduce pain in circumstances where the usual chemical anesthesia is not recommended or when the patient needs to be conscious during a procedure.
• Trauma - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), sexual and physical abuse,  serious neglect, accident, illness, and surgery traumas.