What is Hypnotherapy?

When we hear the term “hypnosis”, oftentimes it brings to mind erroneous images and misconceptions that have been plaguing this most ancient art for years. Here are some common myths dispelled:

Myth: A hypnotist can take control of your mind.

Truth: All hypnosis is self-hypnosis. You can never be made to do anything that goes against your will or that is morally objectionable to you. It is a cooperative process that always keeps you in control.

Myth: You can get “stuck” in a trance and not wake up.

Truth: You can and will come out of the trance state when you are ready, in the same way you wake up from sleep. It often happens spontaneously, similar to emerging from the self-induced trance state known as daydreaming.

Myth: Hypnosis is a state of sleep, or unconsciousness, similar to a coma state.

Truth: It may feel like the dream state when you are hypnotized except that you will hear the words being spoken. Since the process quiets the reasoning part of the conscious mind, the way you hear the words is different than in a consciously alert state.

Myth: Hypnotherapy is only effective in certain areas; such as, weight loss, smoking cessation or stress management.

Truth: Hypnotherapy has been proven beneficial in countless arenas. Since it reaches the creative aspect of our minds, the subconscious, it is effective for addictions of all kinds, fears, phobias, depression, increasing self-confidence, healing emotional wounds and memory/learning improvement, to name just a few. There is no limit to what hypnotherapy can do to change your mind and your world!

This article was written by Sara L. Payne, as a patient education resource for The Center For True Harmony Wellness and Medicine. Edited and revised by Sherry VanGoethem, Dr.Christine Brass-Jones OBGYN, and Dr. Denise Quance Grobe N.D. If you have any questions or comments contact the office at (480) 539-6646 or through email at info@trueharmonywellness.com