Ancient Civilization and Hypnosis

Ancient civilizations were perhaps the first to practice hypnosis in group settings. Many rituals, such as mass chanting and meditation to a steady drum beat were parts of religious ceremonies. The continuation of these rhythms combined with the energy of the group placed its members in a sort of trance-state. The purpose of this was to rejuvenate or heal the members taking part in the ceremony. Essentially, there was healing of the mind through early hypnosis before any formalized medical practice came into being.

Members of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis

Members of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis are all professionals who utilize clinical hypnosis in their practices or research. Many are embers are psychologists, psychiatrists, clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors, medical doctors, master´s level nurses, and dentists.  As an interdisciplinary organization, ASCH provides colleagues in other health and mental health care disciplines to interact and share their findings.  The result is a "cross-fertilization" of ideas and applications that complement the advances in mind-body health and integrative medicine.

Understanding Clinical Hypnosis

The main purpose of hypnosis is to enrich your life. With the right hypnotherapist and a willing attitude, the difficulties, bad habits, and/or negative learned behaviors you have developed can gently be unlearned, using hypnosis as a tool. One of the ways that hypnosis aids in bringing positive change, is through the reinforcing of constructive and encouraging visions during sessions. Afterwards, these reinforcements can act as a triggers, guiding you to make healthy life decisions from moment to moment.

Clark L. Hull

By the 1920s, hypnosis became the focus of experimental investigation by psychologists like Clark L. Hull (1884-1952), who demystified hypnosis saying that it was essentially a normal part of human nature. We often go into trance-like states throughout the day but are unaware of it. For example, when we read a book or "zone out" when driving. According to Hull, the important factor was the subject's imagination, and some people were more responsive or "suggestible" than others to hypnosis.

Guided Imagery In Hypnosis

Guided imagery is a specific practice in hypnosis whereby a subject is asked to envision certain items or scenarios. This method is particularly effective when correcting health problems or negative behaviors. For example, imagine you have a fear of flying. With guided imagery, your hypnotherapist may ask you to envision riding in a plane that is held aloft by a pair of giant hands. Ideally, the next time you fly, you will remember this feeling of safety and your fears will diminish.

Online Hypnosis Resources

The popularity of hypnosis treatments is growing by the day. So, too, are the number of resources to learn about hypnosis online. Whether you are looking to lose a few pounds or gain a better perspective on your life, there are plenty of websites where you can learn about hypnosis in depth. So, why wait? Start your search now. The Internet can provide an ideal primer on hypnosis and your health.

About the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis

The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH) was developed to provide education programs that further the knowledge, understanding, and application of hypnosis in health care. In addition, the ASCH encourages research and scientific publication in the field of hypnosis. They promote the recognition and acceptance of hypnosis as an important tool in clinical health care and focus for scientific research. The Society also works in conjunction with other professional hypnosis associations and societies that share mutual interests. All this helps to provide a professional community for those who use hypnosis in their work.

Visualization

Visualization is an important part of hypnosis. You "see" yourself in your mind's eye doing something the way you want to do it. This can apply to performing a sports skill, playing a difficult piece on the piano, or giving a speech at a meeting. If you are afraid of flying, you can visualize yourself looking forward to your flight and boarding happily. You can see yourself as if you were someone else looking on, or feel the emotions you would have and see yourself from the inside. When a hypnotherapist or facilitator guides you through the visualization, it is called guided imagery.

What Is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a natural, psychological state of sustained mental focus, somewhat like meditation. It is also known as "trance." A trained hypnotherapist generally applies one of three methods of guided hypnosis. These are: mental imagery, suggestion, and exploration of the unconscious. Which one will be selected is based upon your specific needs, but all of the methods involve the therapist placing you in a state of deep relaxation (or you placing yourself in this state through self-hypnosis or by using audio hypnosis). Regardless of how it is applied, hypnosis is usually viewed as a method of overcoming obstacles that the conscious mind is too "cluttered" by outside influences to overcome on its own.

Can Anyone Be Hypnotized?

If you want to be hypnotized, you can be. Studies have shown, however, that the more active one's creative mind is (i.e., how easily one becomes "caught up " in stories, films, books, etc.), the easier it is for him/her to be hypnotized. Level of intelligence has not been shown to have any bearing on one's ability to be hypnotized. Nor, it seems, does age. Hypnosis has been performed on toddlers to the elderly. All that is required for successful hypnosis is the ability to release the conscious mind and enter a state of deep relaxation.

About Self-hypnosis

When you view hypnosis as meditation, it is much easier to get a feel for what self-hypnosis is. One method is to sit quietly, breathe deeply, clear your mind, and simply envision positive images in order to eliminate negative thoughts or behaviors. Most likely, however, self-hypnosis is guided by a tape or CD that has been pre-recorded by a trained clinical hypnotherapist. These recordings often focus on correcting one particular trouble spot in your life, such as weight loss, chemical addiction, or insomnia.

Hypnotism and Surgery

In 1845, a Scottish doctor, James Esdale, opened a hospital in Calcutta and began a famous serious of operations with no pain and almost no deaths. His practice was made up of rajahs with 100 prominent witnesses. In India, so many had been afraid of operations, they had lived with tumors sometimes as large as their bodies (up to 80 pounds). By the time he left, he had performed over 2000 operations.

Ways Hypnosis Can Help

Hypnosis is a wonderful tool. But like any medical assistance, there are appropriate and inappropriate ways to use it. There are a number of ailments that hypnosis is well-suited to help eliminate. Among these are self-esteem issues, pain relief, sexual dysfunction, learning difficulties, concentration, and sleep disorders. Basically, any subject that requires changing your attitude toward being better and stronger is a good use for hypnosis.

Myths About Hypnosis

There are many myths about hypnosis. It is often misunderstood as a method of mind-control. In fact, this is not the case, since the subject is taking active part in his/her hypnosis. During the trance state, you are not immobilized; you can move around, cough, sneeze, even bring yourself out of trance at any time. There is no right way to experience hypnosis; each person is different, experiencing different levels of depth into the subconscious.

Is Group Hypnotherapy Practice For You?

Larger cities usually have one or more group hypnotherapy practices. One of the advantages of a group practice is that hypnotherapists in a group have the opportunity of specializing in a number of areas and sharing their findings. This can improve upon their practice as a whole. Usually, you will be referred to the hypnotherapist that specializes in the area you are seeking therapy for.

Choosing a Hypnosis Program

There are a few online hypnosis providers. Some offer CDs or tapes, while others let you download the programs you buy. To evaluate which programs to buy, first consider the credentials of the providers. Programs from people with degrees in psychology or similar disciplines have the most credibility. If you can't tell who recorded the program, you have to rely on the company providing the program. The provider should offer you a sample for free. Get this before you spend any money. Providers use different approaches, so make sure the one you choose seems like it will work for you.

You may also want to consider purchasing a self-hypnosis book that will show you how to set up your own script. You can do this to learn more about hypnosis even if you want to buy a pre-recorded script.

Remember that conventional hypnosis has been working well for hundreds, if not thousands of years. Be skeptical of anyone who claims to have discovered a breakthrough technique that is superior to anything done before.

How Hypnosis Can Bring Positive Change To Your Life

The main purpose of hypnosis is to enrich your life. With the right hypnotherapist and a willing attitude, the difficulties, bad habits, and/or negative learned behaviors you have developed can gently be unlearned, using hypnosis as a tool. One of the ways that hypnosis aids in bringing positive change, is through the reinforcing of constructive and encouraging visions during sessions. Afterwards, these reinforcements can act as a triggers, guiding you to make healthy life decisions from moment to moment.

Franz Anton Mesmer: The Father of Hypnosis

In the history of hypnosis, it was Austrian physician Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815) who began formalized research into what we consider to be hypnosis today. He believed that there was a magnetic fluid in the air we breathe and that the body's nerves absorbed this fluid. He considered disease to be caused via a blockage of the circulation of this magnetic fluid. He began by using a magnet (later his hand), which was passed over the diseased body in an attempt to unblock the magnetic flow. When his hand passed over the infected area, (and later still, the eyes) it was believed to unblock the fluid by increasing its amount and flow. We get he term "animal magnetism" from this procedure, as well as what was to be referred to as Mesmerism.