Portal to Your Inner Portal to Your Inner MindMind

Jeannette Murray, PsyD, LPC, NCC, CCHT

HYPNOSISHYPNOSIS

What is Hypnosis?What is Hypnosis?

• A heightened state of suggestibility

• An altered state of consciousness

• A therapeutic method

• A conscious state of agreement between client and hypnotist

Hypnosis is not…Hypnosis is not…

– an unconscious state or a state of sleep.

– a state in which you are controlled by the hypnotist.

– a state in which you can be forced to do things against your will.

History of HypnosisHistory of Hypnosis• Ancient Egyptian and Indian sleep temples

and Greek healing temples used trance states to induce healing.

• Franz Anton Mesmer (1770’s) introduced “Animal Magnetism,” later to be called “mesmerism,” the precursor of hypnosis.

• 1880’s – Sigmund Freud briefly used hypnosis to treat psychological and psychophysiological disorders.

• 1800’s - today – Psychologists use hypnosis as a therapeutic tool.

James Braid (1795 – 1860 ) – Scottish physician who is credited with the discovery and use ofhypnosis, often called the “Father of Hypnosis.” He coined the term “hypnosis” (after Hypnos, the Greek God of sleep and dreams).

Braid believed the best way to induce hypnosis was through visual fixation on a small bright object.

Early Practice of Hypnosis

Modern Stage Hypnosis

The mind has two parts: the conscious mind and the subconscious mind.

Hypnosis bypasses the critical filtering factor of the conscious mind.

What is the critical filtering factor?

It is a part of the conscious mind that filters information and stops it from entering the subconscious mind.

Our critical filtering factor is bypassed regularly Our critical filtering factor is bypassed regularly in everyday life…in everyday life…

……by our conscious mind in a relaxed by our conscious mind in a relaxed state.state.

……by authority figures, friends and loved by authority figures, friends and loved ones. ones.

……by advertisers who spend millions of by advertisers who spend millions of dollars purposely to influence behavior. dollars purposely to influence behavior.

……by trauma or intense emotions. by trauma or intense emotions.

Produces a state of relaxation and receptivity.

Enhances concentration and mental focus.

Guides the imagination through the use of suggestion.

Induces changes in brain wave activity.

Yes and No.

Hypnosis occurs when a person…

is willing and motivated to participate.

is in agreement with the suggestions made by the hypnotist.

trusts the hypnotist.

Athletes use hypnosis for improving performance.Hypnosis is used to learn and perfect new skills during training.Hypnosis is used to review past performance and correct mistakes.

Athletes benefit by:

Boosting self esteem Raising confidence Improving skillsOvercoming blocks

National Institute of Health Technology (1996) National Institute of Health Technology (1996) judged hypnosis to be effective in alleviating judged hypnosis to be effective in alleviating pain from cancer and other chronic conditions. pain from cancer and other chronic conditions.

Hypnosis can reduce pain experienced by Hypnosis can reduce pain experienced by patients undergoing such procedures as dental patients undergoing such procedures as dental work, burn-wound treatment, and bone marrow work, burn-wound treatment, and bone marrow aspirations. aspirations.

International Journal of Clinical and Experimental International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis found hypnosis relieved the pain of 75 Hypnosis found hypnosis relieved the pain of 75 percent of 933 subjects. percent of 933 subjects.

Hypnosis is used in treatment of asthma, Hypnosis is used in treatment of asthma, dermatology, irritable bowel syndrome, dermatology, irritable bowel syndrome, hemophilia, and nausea associated with hemophilia, and nausea associated with chemotherapy.chemotherapy.

Hypnosis for Surgery

Hypnosis can be used as a sedative for patients who cannot take anesthesia.

Hypnosis serves to block pain by controlling subconscious reflexes .

Patients may experience tingling or tickling sensations instead of pain.

Benefits: fewer side effects, reduced blood loss and nausea.

Fewer, or no drugs, reduces risks of side effects on mother and baby.

Resistance of the birthing muscles is minimized or eliminated resulting in shorter labors.

Mother is awake and relaxed during the birthing process.

Babies experience a calm, peaceful birth, are better sleepers and nursers due to fewer or no drugs.

Stress Management

Allergies Tension headaches Insomnia Health and healing Smoking Cessation Relaxation Sales and Business

Success Self-confidence

Performing arts Pain management Test taking/Test

anxiety Study habits Public speaking Dental

procedures Regression

therapy Stuttering

Are you Are you ready to ready to

give give hypnosis a hypnosis a

try?try?

You are getting sleepy…