What is Hypnotherapy? - Part 1

First of all let me assure you that Clinical Hypnotherapy is NOT the ooey-gooey "I will control your mind" nonsense that Hollywood has portrayed for many years. Nor is it that guy making you dance around like a chicken at a stage show.

Well... no... let me correct that. Stage Hypnosis is real. It is an art all on its own and takes a lot of practice to finesse.

However, CLINICAL Hypnotherapy is an accepted form of client-driven therapy that has been backed by numerous studies and was recognized by the American Medical Association in the mid 1950's. Here in Canada, as with any "new" therapy or treatment, it took a lot longer to gain approval. It wasn't until 1996 that Clinical Hypnotherapy gained credibility with the Canadian Medical Association. It is one of the fastest growing and cutting edge therapies available to people. And that is because all hypnosis is Self-hypnosis.

Let me ask you: Have you ever zoned out in front of the TV, a movie or a book? Found yourself day dreaming? Arrived home or at work and not really remembered the drive? If so - then you have experienced "Natural Hypnosis". It is a state that we enter into many times a day. Every day.

I won't bore you with the long history of Hypnosis because it goes back to ancient times and has been practiced throughout history in every religion and country and because any google search can pull up the info if you are interested.

In any event, Hypnotherapy works. And it works really well. What is needed for success is for a person to agree to being guided into hypnosis, and to commit to the process. Which really means that you are committing to helping yourself to affect change. A Clinical Hypnotherapist is simply a well trained guide, there to keep you safe and help you find the answers you are looking for.

Now you may be asking yourself, "Why should I see a Hypnotherapist when I can get all kinds of information online?"

Fair enough. There are thousands of self-hypnosis videos and books out there. And they work. BUT and this is a big 'But' they can only take you so far. Self-hypnosis videos are great as a follow up to a clinical session, to help reinforce changes that you choose to make. Here's the 'but': They can't and don't get you down to the 'nitty gritty' or 'the meat and potatoes' of the REAL reason for a behavior.