You Are Getting Sleepy, Very Sleepy ...

By Tamela Thomas, Wellness Manager

For most of us, what we think we know about hypnosis is out of Hollywood—the villain captures his subject's focus by swinging a watch, all the while instructing the protagonist to go deeper and deeper into sleep in a low, resonant voice. After they are fully hypnotized, he directs them to do some evil deed against their will. More recently we have seen nightclub acts where helpless audience Members are compelled to stand up and cluck like chickens.

If that is the extent of your knowledge of hypnotherapy, then you will certainly want to read this month's article by Mary Lee LeBay. She is a certified Clinical Hypnotherapist and a Registered Counselor in the state of Washington. Since 1986 she has been using hypnotherapy to help people with a myriad of needs from phobias of needles to creative blocks. She has even been trained to perform hypnoanesthesia—definitely more powerful and useful than, say, a clucking chicken.

Hypnosis—A Journey Within

By Mary Lee LeBay, CCHt, RC

Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness that is experienced by everyone, naturally, on a daily basis. Have you ever driven past your exit on the highway because your mind was "somewhere else"? Do you remember being so focused on your work or television show that you didn't notice someone entering the room or talking to you? Those are everyday examples of being in a trance-like state. Whenever we are not consciously aware of the precise here and now, we are in an altered state of mind.

Hypnosis can bring your attention into greater focus, increasing your concentration and awareness, or it can soften your focus thus enhancing relaxation and reducing stress.

How it works

Hypnosis generally takes place when the client's brain waves are in the Alpha to Theta range, oscillating at 4-13 times per second. The Alpha state is associated with calm, lucid mental states such as daydreams, meditation and dream sleep. Theta states are detected during deep relaxation, bursts of creative insight, vivid mental imagery and learning while asleep. At these times the mind is most susceptible to suggestion and self-realization.

A well-trained hypnotherapist will be able to gently guide the client into this deep state of relaxation to achieve the objectives that the client has set forth. With specific techniques, the subconscious mind is directed to prepare, and make available to the conscious mind, the memories and knowledge relevant to the given objectives. This allows the mind to connect with feelings of empowerment, confidence, forgotten skills and talents. In this manner, the client may also become aware of root causes of unwanted habits, phobias and self-sabotaging behaviors. During the session the client has the opportunity to create positive changes at this core level.

What it can do for you

Our subconscious minds are filled with information gathered throughout our lives whether we have been aware of it or not. There are messages that were received and stored that contribute to our self-esteems, drives, attitudes, fears and perceptions. When the messages are positive, they enhance our performance and give us inner strength and a sense of well-being. When they are negative we become fearful, blocked and filled with self-doubt. Negative messages further contribute to stress, tension, chronic pain and disease. When the messages are at odds with each other, we may experience inner conflict and indecision.

Having received the stamp of approval from the American Medical Association in the 1950s, the use of hypnotherapy has been proven to achieve very significant and specific changes. These may include the reduction or reversal of illness and chronic pain, the release of unwanted habits (weight loss, smoking cessation), and the modification of behavior (anger, jealousy, depression, and blocks). Clients often use hypnosis as an adjunct therapy to support their regular medical treatments.

Further benefits of hypnosis include increased sports performance, motivation and creativity; better concentration; a greater understanding of self, and a sense of purpose in life.

After a session there is often an immense sense of wonderment. Remembering the accounts of astronauts returning from outer space, there is a sense of awe that can be experienced in hypnotherapy that is derived from this inner journey.

What a session may be like

You may be wondering what a typical hypnotherapy session would be like. After a short discussion of the client's objectives, and rapport has been established, a variety of techniques can be utilized to achieve a deep state of relaxation. We begin with a guided visualization to allow the mind to become accustomed to the imagery. As we approach the threshold of the experience, I begin to ask the client to describe the experience as they perceive it.

Some individuals are more visual while others are more auditory or tactile. For this reason, some people will experience many pictures, perhaps like being in a movie or a dream, while others will receive their information through words or feelings. These experiences may be actual memories or they may be metaphors and symbolic images. As the observations are being described, we begin moving through the experience together. The client reveals the events and sensations while I facilitate by keeping the journey goal-oriented and weaving any tangents back to the main theme. Together we analyze the experience and correlate it to events that may be occurring in the present. Should the client encounter a block or an issue that is keeping them from being happy, balanced and healthy in the present, they have the option of altering or removing that block, or changing their perception about the issue. This allows them more freedom of choice and a release from unwanted tension or pressure. When objectives are reached, the client is given suggestions supporting the new, desired changes as well as energy, focus or rapid healing.

Many questions arise in the minds of those who have not yet experienced a professionally guided hypnotherapy session. Here are some answers:

Yes, anyone can be hypnotized. As demonstrated earlier, most people move in and out of a trance throughout a normal day. The elements necessary for successful hypnosis are expectation, cooperation and imagination. You may be surprised to learn that the more intelligent and imaginative the client, the more likelihood of a successful session.

No, you cannot be made to do anything that you do not wish to do.

No, you cannot get stuck in hypnosis. It is easy to bring a client back to alert consciousness. However, if a client resists returning, they would simply fall asleep and wake up naturally soon after.

Taking the journey

In choosing an appropriate hypnotherapist, it is important that the therapist has a thorough background in the necessary therapy techniques and is capable of handling the presented issues. Not all therapists are a good fit for a particular client. Again, it's important to establish rapport and feel comfortable with your therapist. As with any counseling professional, all sessions are confidential.

Aside from all of this seriousness, hypnotherapy can provide an exciting, exploratory adventure into new frontiers. Is there an inward journey in your future?