Hypnotherapy
“What hypnosis does is amplify people’s abilities, including their hidden abilities such as the capacity to reduce the subjective experience of pain or the capacity ot better adapt to a change in their circumstance. Hypnosis empowers people to discover and develop strengths in themselves they didn’t know they had, and the consequence in people’s lives are often nothing short of extraordinary.”
- Michael Yapko
What is hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is a state of relaxation that allows a person to focus inwardly and be receptive to therapeutic questions or suggestions. The heightened feelings of calm and concentration allows a person to use their conscious and subconscious mind more powerfully to achieve their goals.
Almost all of us have experienced a state of hypnotic “trance” at some time in our lives — for example, when engrossed in an activity so intently that we didn’t notice or hear things going on around us.
Hypnosis is NOT mind control. An experienced hypnotherapist may use questions, gentle suggestions, guided imagery, or imaginative exercises to foster thoughts that are aligned with the individual’s goals, but the receiver always retains the ability to choose whether or not to engage. A hypnotist cannot force you to reveal anything you don’t want to.
Hypnosis is NOT sleep. Studies of brain wave activity during hypnosis show brain wave patters that are distinct from those observed during sleep. Some people, however, may feel sleepy when they enter a state of relaxation.
Some people are easily hypnotizable, while others are not, but the vast majority are able to enter into at least a light state of hypnosis.
What happens during a hypnotherapy session?
Initial appointments are 90 minutes, and follow-up appointments are 60 minutes.
During the first appointment, I will take extra time to provide an overview of hypnosis and answer any questions you or your child may have. I will also take time to get to know your child and their needs. I will then perform 20-30 minutes of hypnosis. At the end, it is helpful to get feedback on the experience and reinforce positive changes.
Follow-up appointments will generally follow this pattern: 15-20 minutes of catch-up and discussion of goals, 20-30 minutes of hypnosis, and 15-20 minutes of debriefing.
What conditions can hypnotherapy help to treat?
According to the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis: “In the mental health area, it is used for phobias, anxiety, sexual problems, alcoholism, smoking control, speech disorders, weight control, chronic pain, age regression therapy, self-esteem/ego strengthening, memory/concentration improvement, and forensic work. In medicine, it uses include anesthesia and surgery, obstetrics/gynecology, control of bleeding, pain control, burns therapy, dermatology, and habit control. Dentistry uses it to control fear, dental surgery, saliva control, gagging, bruxism, control of bleeding, tongue biting, and general oral hygiene.”
Only some of these conditions are relevant to children and adolescents, and I use hypnosis to treat only conditions within the scope of my practice.
Hypnotherapy Applications in Children
Bedwetting can be a stubborn and embarrassing problem for children. Hypnotherapy can train your child to strengthen the neural connection between brain & bladder to achieve nighttime dryness.
Anxiety & depression can be tied to negative thought patterns that may be difficult to overcome with standard therapy. Hypnotherapy can help children & teens to access and change the subconscious beliefs getting in the way of living a joyful life.
Phobias (intense fears) of anything from needles to flying can get in the way of day-to-day functioning. Many phobias respond well to hypnotherapy, including teaching of self-hypnosis.
Testimonials
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[Coming Soon]
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Resources
American Society of Clinical Hypnosis: About Hypnosis