Hypnosis, or hypnotherapy, is a way for you to use the power of your own unconscious mind to change your habits, feelings, or behaviors. You will learn to achieve a state of inner absorption, receptive concentration and focused attention, sometimes called a “trance.” When your mind is in this absorbed and focused state, you will be able to take in and internalize suggestions which you have selected or requested, to help you meet your own goals.

It’s useful to remember that all hypnosis is really self-hypnosis. Unlike the stereotype of television or stage hypnosis, where it appears the hypnotist is causing someone to act against his or her will, in clinical hypnosis the therapist helps you move into your own natural state of concentration, so you can accomplish your own goals of healing or change. Hypnosis is not something that is done “to” you; it is a natural state, and a therapist merely serves as a facilitator or guide.

A hypnotic trance is not nearly as strange or mysterious as many people assume. You have surely experienced trance many times, without knowing it. All of us have been so absorbed in thought, while reading a book or riding the bus to work, that we failed to notice what is happening around us. While we were zoned out, another level of consciousness, referred to as our unconscious mind, took over. While you may have been vaguely aware of what was going on around you, you were quite relaxed and your attention was concentrated deeply on inner experience – like being half in a dream. And just like these familiar states, you may sometimes have a little trouble remembering what happened inside or outside of you – if you’ve ever arrived home without quite remembering the drive you’ll know what I mean – but most people who experience hypnosis do not have amnesia, and in fact you may remember clearly every word. Hypnosis is not sleep but rather a deepened form of being awake.

In clinical hypnosis we encourage the use of your imagination. Mental imagery is very powerful, especially in a focused state of attention. The mind likes to use images and symbols to help bring about change in experience. For example, an image of a quiet pond or a fluffy cloud may help you feel relaxed and peaceful. In hypnosis we also present ideas or suggestions. If the ideas and suggestions are compatible with what you want for yourself, they seem to have a more powerful impact due to the state of trance. Any images or suggestions that are not comfortable or compatible with your own goals, you will easily be able to filter our or ignore.