Hypnotism and its uses to treat and heal fears and phobiasHypnotism is shrouded in mystery - people see it as somehow threatening and yet we are intrigued by it.
The word hypnosis hails from the last century from the Greek word hypnos. A lot of people associate Dr Franz Mesmer (1734 - 1815)( Mesmerism, mesmerised) with hypnosis, but in fact the method of hypnosis dates back much further and in all likelihood has been around as long as man himself has existed.
Hypnotism is one of the oldest therapies used by man. With writings dating back as far 6,000 years ago we can learn that the Sumerians used hypnosis as a therapeutic tool in which sufferers were given hypnotic suggestions. Other writings show that priest-physicians would instruct sufferers to fix their gaze on a shiny piece of metal to induce a trance-like state of hypnotism. What is hypnotism/hypnotherapy/stage hypnosis What happens to bring about a hypnotic state? Under hypnosis the brain emits alpha waves. This is a highly pleasant state, as the body is physically relaxed but the mind is in a state of total alertness. This is unlike sleep, as during sleep the brain emits Delta waves. Most people have experienced being in a hypnotic state, even if they haven't realised it. For example, have you ever been doing something so mundane and repetitive that you feel yourself becoming drowsy? Or you become so involved in doing something that time flies and you are unaware of what is going on around you? I am sure this has happened to you many times. This is actually a light hypnotism and we can move in and out of these states several times in one day! During hypnotism, the hypnotist/hypnotherapist cannot take control of your mind. The aim of this therapy is to guide you into a relaxed physical state, and a clear, calm, tension-free mental state, where you are free to concentrate on promoting positive behavioural changes to improve your life. Also, be aware that your mind will not allow you to do something that is unacceptable behaviour to you. So, for example, in stage hypnosis when you see someone doing something ridiculous like thinking they are riding a bicycle on the stage, when really they are sitting on a chair making strange movements with their arms and legs, they are simply CHOOSING to go along with the hypnotic suggestion given by the hypnotist. If they felt they were being put in danger, they WOULD NOT DO IT! Hypnotism is a holistic therapy in that the hypnotherapist works with the problems within the body, AND within the mind, seeking to bring the two back into line with each other. Suggestibility to hypnosis is an indication of intelligence. This statement was made by a Dr Herbert Spiegel, who realised that in order to choose to enter the state of hypnosis, needing to be able to concentrate, required a reasonable level of intelligence. There is also a good amount of research that shows that hypnosis can be good for increasing the effectiveness of the body's immune system, as it produces more lymphocytes whilst under the effects of hypnosis. Lymphocytes are the bodies defender cells which fight off infection. This is why hypnosis is a good complementary therapy. For example, in therapy under hypnosis it is common for the therapist to instruct the patient to visualise cancer cells being destroyed by the bodies own defender cells. Once again we see that the emotions are incredibly important in the body's healing process. There are different types of hypnotism. I think the most famous (or infamous!) would be stage hypnosis. This is probably why a lot of people feel 'threatened' by hypnotism! Hypnotism can be used to cure many things such as: In fact, just about any form of anxiety can be treated using hypnotism. A hypnotic state and suggestions given by the hypnotist go directly to the subconscious mind, bypassing the conscious mind, and so can heal fears and phobias extremely quickly. However, you don't always need to go to a hypnotist to achieve hypnosis. You can use self hypnosis very effectively. Here is a simple hypnosis technique you can try.
Allow your body and mind to relax. When you come to inducing the heighted state of suggestibility, use a ticking clock. That is, listen to a clock ticking. It is monotonous and the regular tick tock is soon making you feel drowsy. Enjoy the drowsiness and slip quietly into that inbetween place of sleep and awake. Then repeat to yourself a rhythmic suggestion of your choice (for example: I know longer have a fear of flying), for the desired amount of time. (If you decide you can spare 20 minutes then say so out loud 'eg. I will wake up within the next 20 minutes and return to my normal waking state feeling happy and relaxed'.) Having impressed the time period upon your mind, switch your attention to the ticking of the clock and repeat over and over again your suggestion that you no longer have a fear of flying. Keep the succession of syllables of the suggestion coincide with the success of ticks of the clock - the same number of ticks for each successive syllable. As you continue in this way, it will seem as though the clock is giving you the suggestion. In this way you can 'sleep' and listen to the clock repeatedly suggesting that you no longer have a fear of flying.
This is an incredibly powerful tool to achieve hypnosis. Obviously the suggestion that you use is entirely up to you and what you desire to achieve. For example you could replace fear of flying with 'I will no longer suffer from panic disorder, or 'nail biting is a behaviour I no longer choose', or 'I am building self confidence daily' etc.
I want to share a success story about hypnosis for weight loss. There are so many, but this one stands out in my mind and touches my heart. I was working in the summer of 2004 with a young lady named Jen. She was 19 at the time and was scheduled to undergo gastric bypass surgery. This surgery is very drastic and involved stapling the stomach so that the person can no longer eat large meals. She also already had liposuction but regained all of her weight. Her father had died and all her mother wanted was for Jen to be happy. As they both sat in my office in tears, Jen told me that this was her last attempt to lose weight before killing herself. After her mom left the room, we began the hypnosis session. While in a trance, Jen remembered being abused by her father. It was traumatic for her to recall this, but helpful at the same time. Jen also revealed that she had "built up a protective layer" with the excess weight. She explained while under hypnosis that the weight repelled men and kept her "safe." After Jen was out of hypnosis, I invited her mom back into the office. The three of us discussed this unfortunate event. Her mom said that she had suspected that it happened, but never had proof until now. Jen returned the next week and we began working on re-building her self-esteem using hypnosis. This is very easy to do with hypnosis since the messages go directly to the subconscious mind. If you want to do this yourself, just make a tape with positive suggestions that you play in bed each night as you go to sleep. In the four weeks that followed, I was able to reframe the way she felt about eating right, exercising, and taking care of herself in general. After only six sessions, I told Jen that I had done all the work we needed to do. Last week, Jen sent me an e-mail with a picture. You see, I had programmed her to continue to eat right, exercise, and take care of herself. Well, the picture she sent looked like a model! Jen had gone from 325 lbs. to 115 lbs! The e-mail was even more inspirational. Here’s what she wrote: Dear Steve, It has been a year since our last session. The pounds have been consistently dropping. I eat differently and don’t even try to. I exercise three times a week and love it. Most importantly, my view of life is completely different now. I went from being overweight and suicidal to being thin, sexy, beautiful and totally confident. My mom is happier than ever and so is my husband. That’s right! I am married. He’s 6’4", an architect, and wants kids. I feel like I’m living the life of my dreams. Hypnosis is amazing. You taught me that I could do ANYTHING that I BELIEVE I can do. You are right. Feel free to share this letter with others. I want the world to know about the power of hypnosis and the power of the human mind! With much love and respect, Jen In my line of work I get to see this happen often. Jen is one of the many people who decided to make a powerful change in her life. Hypnosis helped, but the change was really due to her commitment to herself. I hope that the sharing of Jen’s journey will inspire you to create whatever powerful change you desire in your life. There are no obstacles, except the ones YOU create in your mind. Remove those obstacles, and you will easily live the life of YOUR dreams. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Steve G. Jones is a board certified Clinical Hypnotherapist. He is a member of the National Guild of Hypnotists, American Board of Hypnotherapy, president of the American Alliance of Hypnotists, on the board of directors of the Los Angeles chapter of the American Lung Association, and director of the California state registered Steve G. Jones School of Hypnotherapy. Learn more about his products by visiting:
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"Steve G. Jones has had a tremendous impact on my career. I came to him to overcome a fear of selling and to improve my public speaking skills. He worked with me on my self confidence and helped me become comfortable in front of people. Working with him has helped me become more relaxed and confident. He also helped me decide to write a book so that I could share my experiences with others." Michael McMillan, MBA Harvard Business School
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"It has been a year since our last session. The pounds have been consistently dropping. I eat differently and don't even try to. I exercise three times a week and love it. Most importantly, my view of life is completely different now. I went from being overweight and suicidal to being thin, sexy, beautiful and totally confident. My mom is happier than ever and so is my husband. That's right! I am married. He's 6'4", an architect, and wants kids. I feel like I'm living the life of my dreams. Hypnosis is amazing. You taught me that I could do ANYTHING that I BELIEVE I can do. You are right. Feel free to share this letter with others. I want the world to know about the power of hypnosis and the power of the human mind! With much love and respect..." Jen Glazer Hilton Head, SC
"Working with Steve was a fabulous experience. He helped me overcome my fears and move on more successfully in life and in my career. Steve G. Jones is certainly the most brilliant mind in hypnotherapy!" Andrea George Miss California 1999
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"My hypnosis session with Steve G. Jones was the most relaxing experience I have ever had in my life. Steve was so understanding of my past problems and woke me to a new realization of my goals and the road to a new beginning. This has changed my future in baseball. I now step on the field more confidently and poised with an excellent outlook on the way I pitch." Beau Upchurch Pitcher, Dodgers baseball team
"Although I have had extensive training in hypnosis and have been a practicing psychotherapist for 22 years, I was not able to effectively hypnotize myself into falling asleep early enough to allow myself my requisite 8 hours a night. After my session with Steve, I noticed an immediate impact. Instead of 2:00, I now am going to sleep at 11. Not only am I able to fall asleep earlier but if awakened I am now able to go back to sleep easily. Thanks, Steve. You're a real healer!!" Toni Galardi, Ph.D. West Los Angeles, CA Hypnosis4u:Click Here!
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