Hypnosis is one of the oldest phenomenas in human civilisation.  In virtually every culture, various forms are found. It could be described as the original psychological therapy.

If you have ever been driving along and suddenly realised that you don't know where you are because you have been so engrossed in thoughts or daydreams, but quickly realise that you are on the right road, then you have experienced hypnosis. Whilst your conscious has been distracted by thoughts or daydreams, your subconscious has kicked in to enable your journey whilst you are momentarily distracted.

Ever wondered why, when sometimes you don't deliberate on an action, but just pile in, you are able to do the action without any problem? Yet when you think about doing the action before doing it, all those little doubts, fears, and negatives crowd in, inhibiting your ability.  Well that's hypnosis also - the system of (negative) beliefs that you suddenly accept, alter your behaviour.

Hypnosis acknowledges the amazing power that the brain has over the body, particularly the subconscious. Our subconscious is there to protect us, but sometimes patterns and behaviours which once served a purpose, can be become unwanted as we grow and develop.

Many people make better decisions on complex issues when the subconscious is actively encouraged to participate - in other words, distracting the conscious away, or turning off the critical factor, such as in sleep, and hypnosis

Hypnosis is a state of mind enhanced by (although not exclusively) mental and physical relaxation in which our subconscious is able to communicate with our conscious mind. During hypnosis the critical/analytical (conscious) mind switches off, making the creative (subconscious) more accessible.

The feeling of hypnosis is very subjective. Everyone will experience a slightly different sensation, but the overwhelming feeling each person is left with is one of calm, relaxation, and more inner peace.

GHSC

VALIDATED PRACTITIONER General Hypnotherapy Standards Council

NZRN

Registered Comprehensive Nurse

American Psychological Association, Division of Psychological Hypnosis - The Division 30 Definition and Description of Hypnosis

Hypnosis typically involves an introduction to the procedure during which the subject is told that suggestions for imaginative experiences will be presented. The hypnotic induction is an extended initial suggestion for using one's imagination, and may contain further elaborations of the introduction. A hypnotic procedure is used to encourage and evaluate responses to suggestions. When using hypnosis, one person (the subject) is guided by another (the hypnotist) to respond to suggestions for changes in subjective experience, alterations in perception, sensation, emotion, thought or behavior. Persons can also learn self-hypnosis, which is the act of administering hypnotic procedures on one's own. If the subject responds to hypnotic suggestions, it is generally inferred that hypnosis has been induced. Many believe that hypnotic responses and experiences are characteristic of a hypnotic state. While some think that it is not necessary to use the word "hypnosis" as part of the hypnotic induction, others view it as essential.

Details of hypnotic procedures and suggestions will differ depending on the goals of the practitioner and the purposes of the clinical or research endeavor. Procedures traditionally involve suggestions to relax, though relaxation is not necessary for hypnosis and a wide variety of suggestions can be used including those to become more alert. Suggestions that permit the extent of hypnosis to be assessed by comparing responses to standardized scales can be used in both clinical and research settings.

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