HYPNOTHERAPY

Hypnotism has been around for ages. There is evidence of its use over 4000 years ago in Egypt and it has been recognised by the medical fraternity since the 17^th century.

The reason for this longevity and development as a treatment is that hypnosis works well. Indeed hypnosis is effective in addressing a range of concerns including:

• Anxiety & Panic attacks
• Phobias & Compulsions
• Addiction including alcohol and tobacco
• Insomnia
• Stress & Worry
• Anger & Resentments
• Asthma & High blood pressure
• Pain & Chronic Pain
• Over Eating & Eating Disorders

Hypnosis is also useful for enhancing performance in work, study, relationships and sport. It can improve motivation, memory, confidence and relaxation. Hypnosis empowers people to learn to live and succeed in the present.

Hypnosis works by facilitating a state of deep relaxation in the client, sometimes known as a trance. This is a safe and natural setting for the mind, analogous to daydreaming or being lost in a pleasant experience.

In this state of hypnotic trance the inner mind is more accessible. Trance draws aside fears shadowy curtain of pretence allowing you to see within yourself.

Hypnotic trance enables people to more powerfully imagine and so be able to increasingly see themselves free. They are more creative around barriers in their lives and so can think about options that were previously outside their box.

In conjunction with counselling it can also help uncover the discomforts hidden in minds history files. This information once identified can then be deleted leaving less weight for worry.

Trance also makes a mind more responsive to positive suggestion meaning suggestions more likely take root. In a therapeutic context this means the client and facilitator agree on the nature of changes at hand then repeat them back to the client in trance.

It is worth noting that hypnosis does not remove your will. No suggestions that run contrary to your natural inclination can take hold.

Hypnosis is not a panacea for all human woes, but applied skilfully it can be a powerful tool creating new pathways to opportunity.

Martin Hunter Jones is an honorary life member of both the NSW Counselling Association and the Australian Counselling Association. He has a practice on the Northern Beaches. Phone 02 9973 4997.