What is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnosis has a long and rich history as a process for healing.  It is essentially an altered state of consciousness through which the power of the subconscious mind can be leveraged to facilitate healing and well-being.  Today, as a result of hypnotherapy’s safety and effectiveness, it is rapidly becoming one of the most popular self-healing modalities.

There are many myths and misconceptions about hypnosis, however it is essentially a very natural state of being in which the body and mind become highly relaxed and receptive to positive suggestions.  By bridging states of consciousness, it allows a person to journey inward, to a place where different thoughts can be chosen in order to drive positive behaviors and alleviate anxiety, stress and fear.

To understand how hypnosis works, it helps to understand the functions of the conscious and subconscious parts of the mind.  The conscious mind is very linear and functions to carry out day-to-day decisions.   Its strength is the ability for critical thinking and analysis, which it does by generalizing, rationalizing, deducting, and judging; however it represents only 10 % of the mind’s capacity.

In contrast, the remaining 90% that represents the subconscious mind is more slow moving and receptive.   It is a vast storehouse of memory –a universal library that remembers everything.   Every thought, memory, feeling or belief we have ever had resides in the subconscious part of the mind.  It is the receptacle for receiving new thoughts, concepts, ideas and beliefs. It is the home of our imagination and creative intelligence where creativity and divine inspiration are housed. It is this part of the mind that can be updated and reprogrammed during hypnosis, because, like a computer data bank, it takes in information without judgment.

Hypnosis is a path that opens the door to the inner mind.  As the body and breath are stilled and relaxed, the judging part of the mind can be bypassed. An effective hypnotherapist guides the client to tap into their deep inner knowing.  In this state, the client is able to connect with the emotions and feelings that are attached to the original thoughts and change them.   New thoughts, beliefs and behaviors can come about by reeducating and changing the old patterns.

Hypnotherapy can be used to address and heal a number of issues.

While each client is individual and responds uniquely to hypnosis, it has been demonstrated to be successful for many people in helping maintain a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and managing anxiety or fear.  In addition, it can also be used to resolve psychological problems or deepen spiritual awareness, according to the goals of the client.

An important aspect of hypnotherapy and how it works is the fact that the client is always in control.  A longstanding myth about hypnosis is that hypnotists have strange powers and can potentially control a person who has entered into a hypnotic trance state.  In fact, the client is always 100% in control and therefore, all hypnosis really is self- hypnosis.  Therefore, a person who is willing and ready for change but who maybe be experiencing difficulty implementing the change could be well served by hypnotherapy.  When a person is ready to release the old pain and suffering of the limiting thoughts and beliefs, the doorway opens, and there is an opportunity for positive change and life transformation.

Learning how to reframe can allow the emotions to flow freely again so that consciousness is raised, creating new perspectives and opportunities for self-actualization and success in life.    This transformational process can generate results that seem magical because of the brevity and conciseness of the therapy.  The magic begins when the client is ready to tap into his or her own creative intelligence and discover their own true divine nature. The combination of client readiness for change, with the process and tools of hypnotherapy has the potential to foster deep and lasting transformation, whether focused on physical, mental or emotional health.

Healing is the integration of body, mind, and spirit.  Through hypnotherapy – the parts that felt separate – can once again merge and become whole and healed.

Brenda Bentley is a Certified Transpersonal Hypnotherapist practicing in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.  She offers seminars, workshops, teleseminars and one on one coaching on various topics.   Click here to sign up for a free 15 minute session.  She can also be reached at: raysoflight@cableone.net or (505) 331-9095.  Call today to transform your life!