Friday, May 29, 2009
What is hypnosis and how can it benefit you? That is where we'll begin this article.
Hypnosis is a therapeutic practice that guides you to shift your focus of attention and enter a more relaxed state where you have access to your subconscious mind and inner healing resources. Hypnosis guides us into mental states that we naturally enter at various times during an ordinary day, such as when one is daydreaming or relaxing, meditating, or engrossed in creative or artistic activities. It is not something where you fall asleep or let someone else control you and tell you what to do unless that is your intention and what you want to do in the session. A professional, ethical hypnotherapist would not support a patient in giving away power or control to the therapist. Hypnosis is practiced by many licensed health care providers, including psychotherapists, psychiatrists, doctors, dentists, and nurses. It is also practiced by non-medical personnel who are trained as hypnotists and by others who merely learn self-hypnosis to practice on their own for personal benefit.
Since hypnosis guides us into more relaxed mental states it is a great way to relieve stress and anxiety. Due to the fact that stress and anxiety are contributing factors in a variety of mental and physical health challenges, just practicing progressive relaxation methods of hypnotic induction can help people experience reductions in symptoms of health complaints. Yet, this is just one aspect of how hypnotherapy can help you and provide healing benefits.
Once you are in a relaxed state (associated with a predominance of slower brainwave patterns in the alpha and theta ranges) you can more easily access information and patterns in your subconscious mind. It is at the subconscious level of mind that body processes are regulated and reflexive behaviors and emotional patterns are maintained. Thus, while in the session with a professional hypnotherapist you may receive guidance and suggestions that enable you to transform these patterns. Release old habits and addictions, change your metabolism, program yourself to eat healthy and exercise as you seek to lose weight, dissolve fears and phobias, and create positive imagery and beliefs in your sibconscious to support you in developing skills and talents, building healthy relationships, and achieving success in your life. Hypnosis has been shown to be beneficial in assisting people with issues such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, phobias, PTSD, pain, addictions, and chronic health issues.
Our deepest beliefs, thoughts, feelings, and attitudes guide our lives. If you are seeking health, wealth, and happiness in your life then you'll want to have your subconscious mind supporting you rather than sabotaging you. Now may be the time to make a commitment to yourself, to work on patterning yourself for success and well-being. An ongoing program of hypnosis sessions or self-hypnosis practice will be an excellent way to create an accelerated shift in your life.
Jed Shlackman, LMHC, C.Ht. is a hypnotherapist, counselor, and healer in Miami, Florida. To learn more about Jed's services visit www.phinsights.com