Hypnosis and Its Use in Therapy
Question: ‘What is Hypnosis?’ Describe the psychological and physical aspects of hypnosis and discuss the role of relaxation in Hypnotherapy.
Throughout this essay I will discuss the history of hypnosis as to gain a better understanding of how hypnosis is practiced today and what benefits it has. I will also discuss they physical and psychological aspects of hypnosis, in particular the brain wave frequency achieved during hypnosis and the physical benefits and reactions that can occur. I will also look at how relaxation is an essential part of hypnosis and how this practice has developed. By looking into these aspects of hypnosis and its beneficial therapeutic properties, my aim is to gain a better understanding of hypnosis and hypnotherapy.
The Oxford Dictionary defines hypnosis as ‘the induction of a state of consciousness in which a person apparently loses the power of voluntary action and is highly responsive to suggestion or direction. Its use in therapy, typically to recover suppressed memories or to allow modification of behaviour, has been revived but is still controversial.’ (1) Although this is true, it can also be described as, ‘a different frame of mind, a different kind of awareness, from normal waking life; perhaps akin in some ways to dreaming sleep, yet different from that in its continuing consciousness.’ (2) The later may be a better definition to base a study of hypnosis on as it is not so negative and gives, in my opinion, a better understanding of what modern hypnosis is like in practice. As described, hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness, which allows a hypnotherapist access to the clients subconscious in order to implant suggestions on behalf of the client. ‘The suggestion travels a direct channel to the subconscious, where it effortlessly becomes a belief, modifies behaviour, or produces and effect or action.’ (3) Suggestions can be defined as ‘a communication, conveyed verbally by the hypnotist, that directs the subject’s
Throughout this essay I will discuss the history of hypnosis as to gain a better understanding of how hypnosis is practiced today and what benefits it has. I will also discuss they physical and psychological aspects of hypnosis, in particular the brain wave frequency achieved during hypnosis and the physical benefits and reactions that can occur. I will also look at how relaxation is an essential part of hypnosis and how this practice has developed. By looking into these aspects of hypnosis and its beneficial therapeutic properties, my aim is to gain a better understanding of hypnosis and hypnotherapy.
The Oxford Dictionary defines hypnosis as ‘the induction of a state of consciousness in which a person apparently loses the power of voluntary action and is highly responsive to suggestion or direction. Its use in therapy, typically to recover suppressed memories or to allow modification of behaviour, has been revived but is still controversial.’ (1) Although this is true, it can also be described as, ‘a different frame of mind, a different kind of awareness, from normal waking life; perhaps akin in some ways to dreaming sleep, yet different from that in its continuing consciousness.’ (2) The later may be a better definition to base a study of hypnosis on as it is not so negative and gives, in my opinion, a better understanding of what modern hypnosis is like in practice. As described, hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness, which allows a hypnotherapist access to the clients subconscious in order to implant suggestions on behalf of the client. ‘The suggestion travels a direct channel to the subconscious, where it effortlessly becomes a belief, modifies behaviour, or produces and effect or action.’ (3) Suggestions can be defined as ‘a communication, conveyed verbally by the hypnotist, that directs the subject’s
Bibliography: 1 - http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/hypnosis?q=hypnosis 2 – Hypnotherapy, A Practical Handbook, Second Edition. Hellmut W.A. Karle, Jennifer H. Boys. 2010 3 – Hypnosis for Change, Third Edition. Josie Hadley, Carol Staudacher. 1996 4 – Hypnotherapy A Handbook, Second Edition. Michael Heap. 2012 5 – Psychotherapeutic Counselling – Year One – Module One, From Past to Present An Introduction to Basic Techniques, 2010 6 – Hidden Depths The Story of Hypnosis, Robin Waterfield. 2002