I use hypnosis as a treatment strategy, along with other strategies, for some disorders and clients often inquire about its use. Below I set out some limited information on hypnosis that might be of help to viewers.

To describe how it feels when in a state of hypnosis (or hypnotic trance, as it is called) is difficult as feelings can vary for individuals. What hypnosis does involve for all is a change in their state of attention and awareness. Hypnosis is not a state of sleep, nor is it a state of unconsciousness (as if one is ‘put out’ by the hypnotherapist). In the hypnotic state the person does not weaken or lose control of him or her self.

Some of my clients liken hypnotic trance to the feelings they have just before going to sleep. In that state, though he or she remains consciously aware, the person feels very relaxed, peaceful, at ease, without worries, comfortable and secure. Other clients have described it as somewhat like daydreaming, when their minds can be ‘miles away’, totally absorbed in their thoughts and imaginings.

I find hypnosis a useful adjunct strategy for a range of psychological conditions that involve assisting clients to change their thought structures, attitudes, behaviours and emotional reactions. These conditions include anxiety problems like panic attacks, phobias and fears, obsessional behaviours, trauma counselling, performance and social anxiety, sleep problems, thumb sucking, stuttering, and nail biting. I use hypnosis also for depression, anger management, assertiveness and confidence and ego development, eating and sexual disorders, motivational change, study problems like attention deficit and memory training. In addition, hypnosis has proven useful in the treatment of addictions like smoking, alcohol dependence, gambling and drug use.

For more information on hypnosis and its use as a therapy strategy, you can visit the website of the Australian Society of Hypnosis at  http://www.ozhypnosis.com.au/