Let's Dive Into Hypnosis
What is clinical hypnosis and who is trained to offer it?
Although hypnosis has been used clinically for over a hundred years (and more), it isn't regulated by the government, which means some individuals train in the use of hypnosis and then offer "clinical hypnosis" or "hypnotherapy", despite having No graduate or post-graduate degree in the mental health or medical field, which is the base requirement in Alberta. There are associations out there that only teach clinical hypnosis to medical and mental health professionals, who already have the necessary degree and are part of a regulating professional body. The three main ones are the Canadian Federation of Clinical Hypnosis (CFCH), the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH), of which there are component societies, and the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis (SCEH). I am a member and the past-president of CFCH: Alberta Society and a member of ASCH, as well as a ASCH Certified Consultant.
How many sessions are needed?
The number of sessions needed varies per person and can be heavily based on ones motivation to do the work, and whether the issue you're seeking help with is complex and long-standing or not.
Myths, fears and clucking like a chicken?
In our session we may start by reviewing the myths and how hypnosis works. For example, the myth you can be stuck or controlled in hypnosis is not true and trance (or elicitation in hypnosis) is not something you're made to do, but something we all do (i.e day dreaming, flow state, getting 'in the zone' etc.). Many people are familiar with stage hypnosis, which is for entertainment, not clinical. I've never once seen a client and thought, 'hmm clucking like a chicken will help them with this issue.' Clinical hypnosis is just that, clinical. Make sure whoever you sees is clinically trained to treat you without hypnosis, before proceeding.
What's involved in a hypnotherapy session?
Hypnotherapy sessions, like counselling sessions, start with gathering history and discussing your concerns, roadblocks, hopes and therapeutic goals. As we chat, I will come up with a plan of how I can utilize hypnosis to address what's getting in the way and what can help. The session is split between gathering the necessary information, treatment planning and the actual hypnosis. If you wish, you are offered a recording of the hypnosis, free of charge, to listen to as much as it is helpful. The caveats are that the recording is not to be listened to when your attention is needed (i.e. not while driving) and is only listened to by the intended recipient.
Unlike day dreaming, which can seem to happen all on it's own, in hypnosis we go into this flow state (i.e. trance), with purpose and intent; we can address the automatic and implicit parts of our brain, which can lead to behavior that's hard to understand or habits/interactions that are difficult to change. We can address past trauma's, current struggles and things you are working towards. You are in full control and can end hypnosis on your own, at any point. Most however really enjoy being in hypnosis as they tend to feel deeply relaxed, content and calm. Hypnosis can offer a emotional and psychological release, in session, and after the session ends.
In hypnosis, you are able to access and/or learn skills and resources that will help you with your goals. This shift can be accomplished at a subconscious and conscious level, where your emotional and psychological roadblocks may live and where deep and profound change can take place. Clinical hypnosis can help the client learn how to carry the benefits and learning’s from the hypnosis session into their daily life and future endeavours.
Hypnotherapy is one of many tools and although it is not 'fixer of all', over my years of offering counselling ,it's been one of the most effective tools I have, helping to create deep and lasting change. Although not a magic wand, it's application is widespread and the technique itself is empowering as individuals can learn how to utilize hypnosis on their own, to help with varies goals and concerns.
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What is Hypnosis & How does it work?
Hypnosis can be seen as selective focused attention and utilizing the power of your mind. However you define it, hypnosis is the purposeful use of one's mind and thoughts to manage emotional distress (i.e. anxiety, stress), physical symptoms (i.e. pain, nausea) or to change habits or behaviors (i.e. smoking, overeating).
This is done, in part by, creating healthier ways of processing and addressing events on a deeper and experiential level. Individuals in hypnosis process information differently and can access and experience resources and skills they may not have known how to access otherwise (Yapko, 2013).
Hypnosis is a collaborative process, where the client and therapist work together to access a client’s resources in order to help them accomplish their goals.
Hypnosis has two stages. The first stage could be called the Induction stage, which is where an individual usually becomes relaxed and focused. Although a therapist can guide you in this process, individuals often enter a trance like state on his or her own (i.e. realizing at the end of the day you bruised yourself but not remembering feeling pain or ‘getting in the zone’ where you focus and may lose track of time and what’s going on around you).
The second stage is the application stage, where the therapist offers suggestions that are targeted to treat your specific symptoms or difficulties. In hypnosis the client is able to respond to suggestions and interventions on multiple levels, thereby accessing the resources they need to help accomplish their goal.
Can Hypnosis help me?
Hypnosis is helpful for many people. Some are so skilled at utilizing hypnosis, they can have surgery without anesthesia; others are able to utilize it for pain relief and others for relaxation. There are many ways hypnosis can be helpful. Factors that can impact the quality of your experience with hypnosis range from your past experience, trust in the hypnotist, hypnotists education (i.e. do they have a mental health background?), induction techniques used, environment, etc… It is important to feel comfortable with the therapist and environment and to give feedback about what works for you. It’s also important to know that when you find a therapist who has the proper training, and is a good fit for you, you can learn to make healthy decisions and work towards a brighter, healthier and happier future.
Some individuals have experienced hypnosis before and feel they weren’t hypnotized. Your hypnotizability isn’t necessarily a stable factor. Most people can experience some form of hypnosis and have actually gone into trance on their own without thinking about it (i.e. becoming absorbed into a task and losing track of time, or driving somewhere and suddenly realizing you’re at your destination). There are techniques one can utilize to work on increasing one’s hypnotizability. Moreover, practicing self-hypnosis can help you go into hypnosis quicker and deeper each time you practice it. The more you do hypnosis the easier it is and the quicker you can learn to relax and access your inner resources and come to new realizations.
Hypnosis can help with:
- Mental Health: Depression, Anxiety, Trauma & Self-esteem
- Physical Health: Weight loss & Smoking cessation
- Infertility & Childbirth
- Stress management, coping techniques & relaxation
- Sleep issues
- Phobias
- Pain management
- Sports performance
Results and Benefits
Clinical hypnosis should only be conducted by a properly trained and credentialed health care professional who has specifically trained in hypnosis and is bound by a professional body. Monica Wong has her Masters in Clinical Social Work and is a registered social worker. She has received over 30 hours of training with the Canadian Federation of Clinical hypnosis and over 100 hours of training with world-renowned clinical psychologist, Dr.Yapko. She is also a certified HypnoBirthing® instructor.
Overall, hypnosis has been demonstrated to have a wide range of benefits, from simply improving symptoms or difficulties, to completely eliminating them.Your sessions at OCH will be a blend of counselling and personalized hypnosis techniques that will help you reach your goals, in part by helping you make connections at a deeper level, change behaviors, access your resources when you need to and learn new skills. After your session you will receive a audio recording of your hypnosis session, which can help you continue to learn and grow between sessions, as well as help enhance your ability to go into hypnosis quicker and deeper each time you listen to the recording and practice hypnosis.New Paragraph
Myths about Hypnosis
Stage shows, TV shows, the media and stories from others may impact how you view hypnosis. There are often misconceptions about what hypnosis is and how it can help. Below are a list of some of the common misconceptions and facts about hypnosis.
Myth: The person being hypnotized is under the control of the hypnotist and can be made to do or say anything the hypnotist wants.
Fact: No matter how deeply hypnotized you are, you CAN NOT be made to do anything you do not want to do or feel uncomfortable with. You are in Full control when hypnotized and can stop anytime you wish.
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Myth: Hypnosis is something done to you, versus something you do to yourself.
Fact: All hypnosis is self-hypnosis. With a hypnotist, you simply have someone to guide you and help you discover ways work on solving your challenges and accomplishing your goals. Hypnosis is a skill that can be learned; you can be taught to utilize self-hypnosis on your own, anytime you wish.
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Myth: You can get stuck in hypnosis and can only get out with the help of a hypnotist.
Fact: You can end hypnosis anytime you wish, on your own.
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Myth: People have to be very ‘suggestible’, ‘gullible’ or ‘hypnotizable’ for hypnosis to work.
Fact: Research suggests the majority of people can benefit from hypnosis. Moreover, being hypnotized or choosing to be open and responsive to suggestions is a choice and only means that you have the ability to use hypnosis effectively. Being hypnotizable has nothing to do with being gullible or weak willed.
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Myth: During hypnosis people are unconscious or asleep.
Fact: Far from being unconscious or asleep, people are very conscious and aware during hypnosis. Although occasionally some become so relaxed they may fall asleep during hypnosis; the majority of people are fully awake and alert. Research has shown the brain of a hypnotized person to be very active during hypnosis.
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Myth: All memories recovered during hypnosis are accurate.
Fact: Although hypnosis can be used to tap into memories, there is no way to know for sure if the memories recovered in hypnosis are actual fact, a mix of fact or simply a memory of something you heard or thought happened, unless there is outside evidence to support the memory.
If you intend to go to court, it is not advised to use hypnosis to recover a memory you may have had about a illegal event and/or where you were victimized as the memory would be unlikely to be upheld in the Supreme Court of Canada. Although OC&H does not utilize hypnosis strictly to uncover/recover memories, it is possible to tap into memories in order to access inner resources and work through the challenges you present in counseling/therapy.
