Self Hypnosis vs. Clinical Hypnosis
Did you know that there are different types of hypnosis, and different ways you can be hypnotized? That’s right, there is more than one way to reach a hypnotic state. One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to hypnosis, and what works for one person won’t work for another. If you’ve had trouble with hypnosis in the past, maybe you just need to try a different method and see if it works for you.
What works best for you depends on your personality, as well as what you want to accomplish with hypnosis. Read on to learn about two different types of hypnosis.
Self Hypnosis
Many people who are curious about hypnotism can benefit from self-hypnosis. Those who seek to improve themselves and want a tool that helps them achieve greater inner balance will benefit from this type of hypnosis. It can be used to relax and calm stress, to achieve inner balance, or to propel one to success. It’s a great place to start if you’re new to hypnosis.
How to Hypnotize Yourself:
- Lie down and get in a comfortable position. Fix your eyes to a point on the ceiling. It helps if it’s slightly behind you, so that your eyes strain somewhat to look at it.
- Take several slow deep breaths, focusing on your inhale and exhale only. If it helps, chant a mantra as you do so.
- Suggest to yourself that you close your eyes.
- Begin to deepen your hypnotic state by counting. Say something like “As I count to three, I will go into a deep hypnotic state. I will be completely relaxed on the count of three.” Say it slowly, either out loud or inside your head.
- As you count say “One…getting more relaxed. Two…deeper relaxation. Three…totally relaxed now.
- Once you’re in the hypnotic state you can begin to suggest new thoughts and ideas to yourself in order to reprogram your subconscious mind. Things like: “When I exit this state I will be free of addictions.” Or “When I exit this state I will no longer have a headache”.
It takes practice to get good at self-hypnosis, but the more you do it, the easier it will become. If you want to start small, begin with simple suggestions like “When I count to ten, my arm will feel weightless and rise up on its own.” You’ll be amazed when your arm rises involuntarily. Things like this can help you build confidence in yourself and the hypnosis process, then you can work your way up to bigger things.
If you find yourself getting frustrated or not getting the results you desire, try lengthening the time you take to fall into the hypnotic state. Instead of counting to three, allow yourself to count to five, or even ten.
Simple things that can be improved by Self Hypnosis
- Reduce your road rage
- Help you stay on track with a healthy diet
- Motivate you to exercise regularly
- Forgive others and yourself
- Program yourself to stay calm in situations that normally cause anger
- Boost your confidence before a big event such as a date or a meeting at work
- Reduce your anxiety about public speaking
Clinical Hypnosis
If you find that you’re unable to hypnotize yourself, or you feel that it’s not as effective as you’d hoped it would be, then clinical hypnosis might be a good fit for you. With clinical hypnosis you enter the altered state of awareness with the help of a licensed and trained professional, such as a doctor, and treat deeper psychological or physical problems.
You might find it’s easier to get into a hypnotized state and get results when you work with a professional. Recent research suggests that hypnotic communication and suggestions can effectively change a person’s physiological and neurological functions. Which is a fancy way of saying it can reprogram your brain.
Some of the professionals that can be trained and licensed in hypnosis are: physicians, dentists, master prepared nurses, social workers, and marital/family therapists. An advantage of the licensing program is that you know the person you are working with has formal training and experience. This is very important – you are giving someone access to your subconscious mind, you want to make sure they know what they are doing and are reputable.
Clinical hypnosis can help you with a myriad of problems. Often they can help correct behaviors that have been plaguing a patient for years. It’s not uncommon for a pack a day smoker to completely walk away from cigarettes after a few hypnosis sessions. It really is that powerful.
Here are some other areas that clinical hypnosis can treat:
- Alcoholism
- Phobias
- Anxiety
- Sexual problems and issues
- Smoking
- Speech disorders
- Weight control
- Chronic pain
- Memory and focus improvement
Clinical hypnosis can also be used in medicine:
- Use in anesthesia and surgery
- Pain control
- Help when giving birth
- Dental surgery
- Saliva control at the dentist
- Control of bleeding
- Control fear of doctor or dentist
Research is just beginning to show all the ways that hypnosis can benefit everyone, from minor annoyances to life changing shifts in the subconscious. It is truly at the cutting edge, blending modern and alternative medicine. If you or a loved one could benefit from this therapy, it’s worth your time to give it a try.
