What is hypnosis?

Posted on by
Reply

What Is Hypnosis

 I have been in private practice as a psychotherapist for over 25 years. Several years ago, I made an informed, intentional decision to add the modality of hypnosis to my practice. Still I often get asked, what is hypnosis? History will confirm that I use good judgment based on well researched information and experiential learning whenever I introduce my clients to a new concept. I can say with conviction that hypnosis works. So, I would like to take a few minutes to explain to you what hypnosis is and help dispel any misconceptions you may or may not have about this powerful therapeutic tool.

Hypnosis is a state of consciousness that we enter into naturally each and every day. It feels very similar to the way you feel when you are either daydreaming or driving. So, what can you expect from being hypnotized? You can expect to be very relaxed and more open to suggestions. Your heart rate as well as your brain wave vibration rate slow down, giving you access to your subconscious mind. Please understand that your conscious mind is still completely aware of what is going on the whole time you are in this relaxed state of mind, but your subconscious mind simply has the ability to accept the suggestions for change that you indicated to the hypnotist that you wanted. The word trance often scares people, but it is actually natural for us to feel this unknowingly all the time. If you have ever watched a television program or a movie and became super absorbed in the program, that is what trance feels like. You get the same feeling when you are driving and thinking about something else and you miss your exit.

Now, let’s talk about what hypnosis is not and why some people might be afraid of using hypnosis or self-hypnosis. Hypnosis is not sleep, you are not unconscious while in hypnosis. You are not under any type of mind control during hypnosis, and it is not magic. In fact, it is a heightened state of awareness and you are able to respond to requests during hypnosis such as giving a signal if asked if you understand something or a verbal answer. An important thing to know is that in order to be hypnotized, you must want to be hypnotized. You cannot be hypnotized against your will, nor can you be forced to do something you do not want to do. When clients come to see me for hypnosis, they decide what life changes they want to make. Based on that request, with their permission, I make suggestions while they are in this relaxed state so that their subconscious mind will begin to accept those suggestions, resulting in the desired changes.

There is nothing mysterious about hypnosis. Using hypnosis to produce faster and more permanent changes makes perfect sense. The conscious mind accounts for five to ten percent of our mind. It is working right now as you listen to me. It is the part that is logical and analytical. It helps us to solve problems, make decisions, criticizes, and is also the place of working memory. The subconscious mind accounts for the other ninety to ninety five percent. It stores all of the information for all of the experiences that we have ever had. It automatically controls our breathing, heart-beating, the immune system, and so much more. The subconscious mind is creative, emotional, and intuitive. Think of it as a computer that can be reprogrammed, we are always reprogramming our subconscious mind as we experience new things and we engage in self-talk. If you are constantly telling yourself that you are not good enough, you are fat, you are a smoker, or that you are a failure, then that is what you will become. So how do you reprogram the subconscious mind? How do I help you get the suggestions that you are good enough, that you are healthy, that you are not a smoker, and that you are a success into the subconscious mind? There is a part of the conscious mind called the critical factor. It is kind of like a headband between the conscious mind and the subconscious mind. This part of the conscious mind has the power to accept or reject suggestions from getting into the subconscious mind. The best way to bypass the critical factor is through the use of hypnosis. When I hypnotize someone, and I use induction to help them relax, the critical factor simply goes to sleep. The conscious mind is still awake, but now the subconscious mind is receptive to the suggestions we agreed upon in order to help you make the lasting changes. Fortunately, new research in neuroscience confirms that the brain is malleable and capable of changing even the most ingrained patterns. That means as a hypnotist I can help you rewire your brain to interrupt and change patterns that have previously led you to have unwanted behavior and thoughts leading to things like general anxiety, smoking, over eating, sports performance problems, pain control, test anxiety, fear of flying, and much more.

My goal for this talk is to provide you with a better understanding of what hypnosis is and what it can do for you. It is a tool that anyone can use, and it is important that it is accurately understood. It is my hope that when you are ready to eliminate bad habits, learn to manage stress, or overcome whatever it is that you want to change that you will consider using hypnosis and self-hypnosis. If you have any other questions about hypnosis or you are interested in scheduling a session, please contact me at my website, www.aim-for-success.com or visit my Facebook page @AIMforsuccess.

Overcoming The Fear Of Flying

Posted on by
Reply

Overcoming The Fear Of Flying

The fear of flying

The fear of flying is relatively common problem many people experience. Surveys indicate that 25% of us dread flying, while approximately one of every 10 people have a fear of flying that is so severe it prevents them from being able to consider air travel. This restricts their lifestyle and opportunities. Their fear of flying can cause a serious crisis in the case of family emergencies or  travel requirements for work. Even worse, they may have medical problems which require travel. All of these problems can be avoided by simply overcoming the fear of flying.

It is commonly believed that people who are afraid of flying focus on thoughts that the plane is going to crash or they are going to die. However, for many people it is the whole experience of flying which is upsetting to them. This may include being in a crowded airport or being in a cramped space during flight. Many people dread being stuck on the plane for long periods of time or  being stranded by flight cancellations or delays. Whatever the cause, for many people the fear of flying is a serious problem in their lives. For more information about the general topic “overcoming the fear of flying” visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear_of_flying

How to Overcome the Fear of Flying

There are many methods that people use in an attempt to overcome their fear of flying. One of the most popular approaches is a psycho-educational approach. The treatment consists of providing information and statistics which are believed to help people overcome their fears as a result of having factual information. There are numerous sources which offer information and advice on how to overcome the fear of flying. However, despite knowing this information many people continue to struggle with their fear. Check it out and see if it is successful in overcoming the fear of flying.

https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/your-4-step-guide-overcoming-your-fear-flying-ncna786746

The problem with this approach is that it assumes that the fear of flying is an irrational fear. So they believe providing information will create a change in the way you feel about flying. But the fear of flying is not  based on logic and reasoning. For example, after the terrorist attacks in September of 2011, more americans chose to travel by car instead of flying. The extra traffic caused around 350 more people to die in traffic accidents than would be expected. That information became widely know, but did not help people become less fearful about air travel.

A substantial number of people seek medical assistance. They have their doctor prescribe them anti-anxiety medications. While these medications may sedate the traveler, they do not resolve the fear. As a result, the traveler is stuck using addictive anti-anxiety medications which sedates them and alters their state of consciousness every time they want to fly. They often find themselves feeling groggy and unable to enjoy themselves for a period of time after the flight.

Counseling or psychotherapy has also been proposed as an effective treatment for the fear of flying. Proponents claim that they help 60 to 80% of the people they see for this problem. Depending on the therapy and therapist you select, this could be a long drawn out process without a guarantee of success. Furthermore, this type of treatment is expensive. While Cognitive/behavioral therapy can effectively treat this fear, it is an expensive and lengthy process.

What you should be looking  for is an easy effective treatment at a reasonable cost. A process which addresses the irrational fear and helps you resolve it without being sedated or requiring extensive therapy for weeks or years.

Hypnosis for the fear of flying

Hypnosis is a quick and effective treatment for the fear of flying. This approach recognizes that rational factual information does not reduce the fear and distress that people who are afraid of flying  experience. I am sure that you’ve heard that flying is the safest way to travel. However, you still find yourself feeling afraid. This is because fear is a strong emotional response which is not generated by the part of the brain that engages in rational thought. Your mind has a programmed habitual response to the thought of flying which causes this fear. Hypnosis is a way to bypass the rational conscious mind and help you eliminate that habitual response. With hypnosis you can be free of the fear of flying without being drugged or undergoing long and expensive counseling. It is an easy effective way of dealing with this problem.

You might be thinking, “so why doesn’t everyone use hypnosis to overcome their fear of flying”. This is because most people don’t what hypnosis is and how it can be helpful. Understanding what hypnosis really is will help you understand the value of this treatment for overcoming the fear of flying. You can learn about this issue by visiting http://jonineidighhypnosis.com/what-is-hypnosis/ 

You may also question  whether hypnosis is truly effective for eliminating the fear of flying. Professional hypnosis has been demonstrated to be effective for a number of problems including weight loss, smoking cessation, and eliminating fears and phobias. These links  may be helpful as they let you hear what other people have to say. Please watch https://youtu.be/ZNrVnTulvvs 

If you are interested in quickly and easily eliminating your fear of  flying so that you can have the freedom to enjoy your life to the fullest, please contact me.