Look into my eyes.

When it comes to hypnosis most would envision a stage, an over the top hypnotist/actor-type character and an attention seeking volunteer running around flapping their arms like a chicken and generally making a fool of themselves.
A situation the majority of us would rather avoid than deliberately draw on ourselves but as Tayto so wisely put it, ‘There’s always one!’

This stereotypical scene has resulted in the general assumption that hypnosis is a type of magic or for entertainment purposes only. One naturally assumes that swinging pendulums and eerily cloaked performer announcing, “Look into my eyes,” are involved in the art. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

“This is often the misconception about hypnotherapy,” John Cantwell, hypnotherapist psychotherapist and hypno-analyst of Changes Hypnotherapy Clinic informs me as I settle back into the big comfortable leather ‘lazy boy’ in his small but cosy office, “Hypnosis is self hypnosis therefore it’s a meditative state. You are probably more aware in hypnosis than you are when you’re awake! The participant must be willing to be hypnotised and is in complete control.”

Thus stage hypnosis could be described as a little far fetched to say the least and perhaps a bit on the dramatic side.” It can take up to thirty minutes to put a person in to trance therefore the performers on television shows must have been hypnotised before hand and must be willing to be hypnotised,” he tells me knowingly, “Stage hypnosis is unethical.”

John Cantwell is a member in good standing with ICHP (Institute of Clinical Hypnotherapy & Psychotherapy) and states that all members of ICHP are bound to a Code of Ethics; Practice & Standards which bans stage hypnotism as it is casts a dark shadow over the otherwise therapeutic profession.

Hypnosis as a therapy is far more honourable and can be described as a state of deep relaxation, much like a day dream, in which the mind and awareness increase but remains relaxed. It is used to treat people for problems ranging from blushing to depression. The therapy can be broken down into suggestion hypnotherapy and analytical hypnotherapy.

Suggestion hypnotherapy does not reveal the root cause of the problem but it is useful in the breaking of habits such as smoking and nail biting. It can also aid in the calming of pre-test nerves, slimming, relaxation and confidence boosting. It requires only one to four sessions with perhaps a booster later on.

Analytical hypnotherapy is helpful in uncovering the causes of psychological problems. It is used for deeper rooted issues such as anxiety, eating disorders, sleep disorders and panic attacks. “We are talking about a complete and lasting release by finding and removing originating causes as opposed to mere control of symptoms by suggestion.” describes Cantwell. The subconscious mind is accessed in order to positively suggest, visualise and re-learn past abilities and strengths. The conscious mind is by-passed like an old town.

“After a number of sessions of analytical hypnotherapy the subconscious starts to release information leading to the originating cause or ‘root cause’ of the problem”, says John.

Hypnotherapy can even be used to treat the pesky daily disturbance that is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS is a disorder of the bowel resulting in lack of rhythmic movement in the large intestine and leading to much discomfort pain. Stress is a major cause of IBS but the good news is that stress is very much treatable by hypnosis. According to Michael Mahoney, one of the UK’s leading clinical hypnotherapists in his field IBS patients can be assured that nothing serious is wrong with the bowel with the use of hypnosis resulting to a decrease in symptoms. Check out http://www.ibs-register.co.uk/ to learn more on his highly acclaimed IBS Audio Program 100.

“Hypnosis is everywhere! It is used for pain relief during childbirth, sports motivation and anaesthetic for surgery. Hypnosis has been used in amputations to the emergency room to dealing with dental phobias,” concludes John.
Log onto http://www.drjackgibson.com/ to learn more on the man who has helped people stop smoking, drinking, and of course enabled operations to be performed on over 4,000 patients without the use of anaesthetic. The late hypnotist also has a fascinating range of books, CD’s and tapes available for specific phobias or problems.

It seems that the advantages of hypnosis are endless and constantly increasing with studies continuously proving the therapy’s competence in more and more areas. The therapy, which is somewhat accepted by the medical world, is currently in the process of being registered. Let’s hope as a result its expansion and acceptance will continue in the near future.

For more information on hypnosis log onto www.myhypnotist.ie or call John Cantwell on 021-4346211 to arrange a free introductory consultation.