What is hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a method that helps a person enter into a state of calm, alert awareness so he or she can more easily work on making personal changes. People often use hypnosis to overcome fears or habits.

• Under hypnosis, a person is more focused. Hypnosis helps a person block out distractions and focus on a specific idea, sensation, or memory.
• Hypnosis brings a state of deep relaxation. The relaxation during hypnosis makes it easier to observe anxieties, fears, pain, and other difficulties from a new perspective.
• Hypnosis can help a person be more open to suggestion. Hypnosis enables openness, because the conscious mind — which can be more closed and critical — is quiet, while the unconscious mind has center stage.

In research studies, hypnosis has been shown to help reduce:

• pain
• nausea
• vomiting
• stress
• anxiety

There are many kinds of hypnotic techniques. After you're under hypnosis, a hypnotherapist may:

• talk to you in a soothing way to help you feel relaxed and secure
• make suggestions about positive behaviors
• encourage you to clearly imagine yourself acting differently, a powerful practice called "mental imagery"

A hypnotherapist can work with you to find the technique that can work best for what you're trying to accomplish. Although it's important to begin by working with a hypnotherapist, the hypnotherapist can then teach you self-hypnosis so you can practice at home. Once you have a firm grip on an issue like pain or fatigue with the therapist, you can continue on your own with self-hypnosis.

What to expect in a typical hypnosis session

At your first hypnosis session, the hypnotherapist will probably ask you questions about your medical and emotional history. He or she will ask you to talk about any problems you're having, such as pain, anxiety, or tiredness. Once the hypnotherapist knows more about what you're going through, he or she will choose an appropriate hypnotic technique.

• The hypnotherapist may begin by asking you to close your eyes and then may talk to you in soothing tones and describe vivid imagery to help you relax.
• Once you are under hypnosis, the hypnotherapist may propose ways of reaching certain goals, such as pain reduction or increased feelings of serenity.
• A typical session can last from half an hour to an hour.
• You may have one session or a series of sessions.
• At the end of a session, you are capable of bringing yourself out of hypnosis.
• After your session, you can resume your normal activities.

What hypnosis is not:

• When you're under hypnosis, the hypnotherapist cannot control you. It is not possible for a hypnotherapist to force you to do anything that you don't want to do.
• You cannot be hypnotized against your will. You must be open and receptive to the idea of hypnosis for it to work.

Hypnosis practitioner requirements

In most states, the practice of hypnosis is not regulated, so it's important to look for someone who's experienced. Many licensed health care professionals, such as social workers, psychologists, and medical doctors, have been trained in hypnotherapy. People who are not health care professionals can be certified at a number of schools, which may require 60 to more than 200 hours of training. In the United States, certified, experienced practitioners can be found at the National Board for Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists (NBCCH). Although certification with the NBCCH is not a requirement for practicing hypnosis, the NBCCH was formed by hypnotherapists hoping to improve the standards and integrity of the hypnosis profession. Other countries have their own systems of certification.

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