Hypnotherapy Definition
a new definition of hypnosis
This Hypnotherapy definition considers hypnosis as a mind-based modality that uses hypnotic states to access the subconscious and generate change both in the psyche as well as the physical body.
The British Medical Association (BMA) studied hypnosis and satisfied themselves of “the genuineness of the hypnotic state.
A New Definition of Hypnotherapy
The definition of hypnotherapy has evolved. As with many therapies, modern hypnotherapy has to become a client-centered therapy in which the client is guided by the hypnotherapist to dialogue with their subconscious mind – also known as the body-mind – in order to gain an understanding and resolution of their issues, symptoms, and reactive emotions.
Listen to Eva M. Clark defining hypnotherapy by using three client cases:
How does Hypnotherapy Dialogue with the Subconscious Mind?
Every night when you go to sleep and begin dreaming, you are -in effect- having a direct dialogue with your subconscious mind. Most of the time, however, you might not remember all your dreams and, the ones you do, are extremely unclear, fragmented, and confusing.
In hypnotherapy, a similar dream-like state is achieved. This hypnotic state is used to access the less evident and yet more direct cause of the issues at hand. The hypnotherapist guides the client in dialogue with the subconscious mind until an understanding of the underlying messages, memories, and meaning the subconscious is communicating through the current emotions, symptoms, and life situations experienced.
The different techniques used in modern hypnotherapy to dialogue with the subconscious mind are the following:
A hypnotherapy session is kind of like going to see a movie clip with the director of the movie. As the session unfolds the hypnotherapist asks the director questions and the client learns all about the different elements involved in their issue and their deeper meaning. Additionally, the director works with the client and the hypnotherapist to update the old movies and change the way the client sees themselves and life.
- Suggestion and visual imagery: Traditional directive hypnosis focuses on these techniques.
Regression Therapy: To return to the original cause. - Medical Hypnotherapy
- Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP) for Health
- Voice Dialogue and Gestalt Therapy
- Transformative Medicine: Considers disease as a symbol pointing the way to wholeness.
Medicine Has Researched Hypnotherapy and Found it Effective
Hypnotherapy has been studied and approved by the American Medical Association (AMA), the National Institute of Health (NIH), as well as the British Medical Association (BMA) and much research, has been done on medical hypnotherapy‘s effects on chronic pain, autoimmune disorders and illness, and anxiety.
“The use of hypnosis has a recognized place in the medical armamentarium and is a useful technique in the treatment of certain illnesses.” – AMA
“Hypnotism is of value and may be the treatment of choice in some cases (…) It may also be of value for revealing unrecognized motives and conflicts in such conditions. As a treatment, in the opinion of the Subcommittee ,it has proved its ability to remove symptoms and to alter morbid habits of thought and behavior.” – BMA