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How Effective is Hypnosis Counseling?
Hypnosis for Weight Loss: Does It Work?
When Will Hypnosis Be Beneficial?
In What Areas is Hypnosis Helpful?
Is Hypnosis Medically Approved?
Does a Person Become Unconscious or Lose Control During Hypnosis?
How Does Hypnosis Help People?
What is the Difference between Meditation and Hypnosis?
Are the Results of Hypnosis Permanent?
Where did you receive your training, and are you a member of any professional organizations.
Can Any Person Be Hypnotized?People of average intelligence (unless there is some form of organic brain damage) can be hypnotized in most cases if they are willing and do not resist. The depth of hypnosis varies with a person's ability to respond. If you are not a naturally responsive subject, you can improve your receptivity to hypnosis with practice. You also need to be open to the process.
How Effective is Hypnosis Counseling?A survey of psychotherapy literature by noted psychologist Alfred A. Barrios, Ph.D. revealed the following recovery rates:
Psychoanalysis: 38% recovery after 600 sessions.
Behavior Therapy: 72% recovery after 22 sessions.
Hypnotherapy: 93% recovery after 6 sessions.Source: American Health Magazine
I am not encouraging clients to stop seeing their mental health counselor/therapist but wanted to bring this interesting statistic to everyone's attention. I feel that hypnosis can be one of many helpful tools in achieving a healthier and happier lifestyle!
Hypnosis for Weight Loss: Does It Work?Yes, research demonstrates a significant effect when using hypnosis for weight loss.
In a 9-week study of two weight management groups (one using hypnosis and one not using hypnosis), the hypnosis group continued to get results in the two-year follow-up, while the non-hypnosis group showed no further results (Journal of Clinical Psychology, 1985).
In a study of 60 women separated into hypnosis versus non-hypnosis groups, the groups using hypnosis lost an average of 17 pounds, while the non-hypnosis group lost an average of only .5 pounds (Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1986).In a meta-analysis, comparing the results of adding hypnosis to weight loss treatment across multiple studies showed that adding hypnosis increased weight loss by an average of 97% during treatment, and even more importantly increased the effectiveness POST TREATMENT by over 146%. This shows that hypnosis works even better over time (Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1996).
Here are some of the studies:
Cochrane, Gordon; Friesen, J. (1986). Hypnotherapy in weight loss treatment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54, 489-492.
Kirsch, Irving (1996). Hypnotic enhancement of cognitive-behavioral weight loss treatments--Another meta-reanalysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64 (3), 517-519.
Allison, David B.; Faith, Myles S. Hypnosis as an adjunct to cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy for obesity: A meta-analytic reappraisal. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. 1996 Jun Vol 64(3) 513-516
Stradling J, Roberts D, Wilson A, Lovelock F. Controlled trial of hypnotherapy for weight loss in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea. International Journal of Obesity Related Metababolic Disorders. 1998 Mar;22(3):278-81.
Myths About Hypnosis
People often fear that being hypnotized will make them lose control, surrender their will, and result in their being dominated, but a hypnotic state is not the same thing as gullibility or weakness. Many people base their assumptions about hypnotism on stage acts but fail to take into account that stage hypnotists screen their volunteers to select those who are cooperative, with possible exhibitionist tendencies, as well as responsive to hypnosis. Stage acts help create a myth about hypnosis which discourages people from seeking legitimate hypnotherapy.Another myth about hypnosis is that people lose consciousness and have amnesia. A small percentage of subjects, who go into very deep levels of trance will fit this stereotype and have spontaneous amnesia. The majority of people remember everything that occurs in hypnosis. This is beneficial, because most of what we want to accomplish in hypnosis may be done in a medium-depth trance, where people tend to remember everything.
In hypnosis, the patient is not under the control of the hypnotist. Hypnosis is not something imposed on people, but something they do for themselves. A hypnotist simply serves as a facilitator to guide them.
When Will Hypnosis Be Beneficial?
I believe that hypnosis will be optimally effective when the patient is highly motivated to overcome a problem and when the hypnotherapist is well trained in both hypnosis and in general considerations relating to the treatment of the particular problem. Some individuals seem to have higher native hypnotic talent and capacity that may allow them to benefit more readily from hypnosis.It is important to keep in mind that hypnosis is like any other therapeutic modality: It can offer major benefits to some clients with some problems, and it is helpful with many other clients. But it can fail, just like any other clinical method if the client is not invested in the outcome.
In What Areas is Hypnosis Helpful?
Some areas where hypnosis is helpful include:
Anxiety, panic, phobias, unwanted habits and addictions, disrupted sleep patterns, lack of confidence and low self-esteem, fear of examinations and public speaking, allergies and skin disorders, migraine and irritable bowel syndrome, weight loss. Additionally, it has proved of value within surgery, especially in regards to the healing process and pain management. Also it has been used to enhance the areas of sporting and artistic performance.
Is Hypnosis Medically Approved?
Yes. The American Medical Association in 1958 and the American Psychiatric Association have approved hypnotherapy for use by professionally responsible individuals. The British Medical Association also adopted hypnosis as a viable therapeutic tool in 1955.
What if I Don't Wake Up?
No one has ever gotten stuck in a terminal state of hypnosis. It simply cannot happen. If the hypnotist left the room, or if you were listening to a tape and the power went out, you would either fall asleep and wake up naturally, or your subconscious mind would detect that there is no voice guiding you and bring you to conscious awareness.
Does a Person Become Unconscious or Lose Control During Hypnosis?
Actually the opposite is true, as you are gaining control over mental functions most other people are scarcely aware of. Contrary to popular myth, you will never tell secrets you want to keep to yourself or accept suggestions that are not in your best interests. Also, you will be awake the entire session and will be able to recall all that took place. You are always in control.
Is Hypnosis Dangerous?
No. The induction of hypnosis is never dangerous to the subject, although personal disappointments may arise because of unrealistic expectations or preconceived information.
How Does Hypnosis Help People?
The ability to reprogram emotional attitudes and reactions is a latent talent within every human being. Hypnosis is the most functional and reasonable way to train life-long attitudes, rather than suffer a lifetime of emotional disappointments.
What is the Difference between Meditation and Hypnosis?
Both techniques will take you into the meditative state. However, in meditation the goal is to remain there, while in hypnosis you use this state to change thought, ideas, and behaviors.
Are the Results of Hypnosis Permanent?Suggestions stay with some individuals indefinitely, while others need reinforcement. The effects of hypnosis are cumulative: The more the techniques are practiced and post-hypnotic suggestions are brought into play, the more permanent the results become. Self-hypnosis training and reinforcement tapes for home use also provide additional help.
Where did you receive your training and are you a member of any professional organizations?
Member of the National Guild of Hypnotists
Hypnotherapy Training - Thomas Institue of Hypnosis