What Is Hypnosis - What can it Help With

Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic technique involving inducing deep relaxation and focus through hypnosis. In this state, carefully chosen language and imagery are used to invite changes in perception, sensation, emotion, memory, thought, or behavior. Prior to birth, your neurology had already started developing and learning as it was adapting, learning and reacting to the environment.

EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICES

Hypnosis is often misunderstood because of the portrayal in TV and film. Hypnotherapy is not some form of magic wand nor is it a miracle pill. It’s a practical application of functional neurological learning and requires the client’s commitment to change, doing what’s needed to make that change a reality. There have been numerous studies and clinical trials on hypnotherapy across a wide range of fields, including psychology, medicine, and behavioral therapy. The exact number of studies can be difficult to pinpoint due to the breadth of research conducted, but estimates suggest there are over 12,000 published studies on hypnosis and hypnotherapy. These studies cover diverse topics like pain management, anxiety, trauma, smoking cessation, eating disorders and addictions.   

Key highlights include:

• Pain management and anesthesia: Numerous studies demonstrate the effectiveness of hypnosis in managing pain, especially for chronic conditions and pre/ post-surgical recovery.
• Behavioral health: Numerous studies and research have shown benefits in areas such as smoking cessation, weight loss, and stress reduction.
• Mental health: Studies support hypnotherapy’s positive impact on reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and trauma-related disorders.

Organizations like the American Psychological Association (APA), the British Society of Clinical and Academic Hypnosis (BSCAH), and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews frequently publish research and meta-analyses on the clinical applications of hypnotherapy, further solidifying its scientific credibility.