About Hypnotherapy

by Betty Moore-Hafter

Would you like to find the power that lies hidden in your own mind? Hypnotherapy may be the key to unlocking your full potential. We've all heard that we only use 10% of our minds. What if you could harness some of the other 90% and use its power to make the changes that will enhance your life?

Much of the power of our minds is locked up in subconscious patterns that do not serve us. Hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis to access the subconscious in order to release old patterns, heal, and reprogram for success and well-being. Some people are afraid that they will 'lose control' or 'give up their power' in hypnosis, but nothing could be further from the truth. When hypnosis is used for therapeutic purposes, it is nothing like what you see on stage. Though you are deeply relaxed, you are aware at all times and completely in control. Relaxing and 'going within' is a normal and natural ability that we all have. If you've ever enjoyed lying on the beach and letting your mind drift as the sound of waves lulls you, or if you've ever been so absorbed in a good book that you lost all track of time, then you already know what hypnosis feels like.

Most of us go in and out of light states of self-hypnosis many times a day - every time we "space out"! All we do in hypnotherapy is focus and deepen this natural state and help you use it constructively. Everyone can experience hypnosis if they want to. Since 'all hypnosis is self-hypnosis,' you are simply being guided to use a natural ability you already have. In fact, one of the main benefits of hypnotherapy is that you learn self-hypnosis naturally by experiencing hypnosis over and over until you've trained yourself to go into a deeper state easily on your own, with or without a self-hypnosis tape.

Once you are in a pleasantly relaxed state, the balance between the conscious mind and the subconscious mind has shifted. The conscious mind is no longer blocking the subconscious, so your deeper mind is more open. The creative possibilities for using the state are endless, yet the following categories are the most common.

• 'Classic' hypnotherapy involves the use of powerful suggestions and images. The subconscious mind does not know the difference between vivid imagination and reality, so when you cultivate images and thoughts of yourself as you want to be, the subconscious starts to make things happen

• Regression therapy allows you to 'go back' to earlier times, sometimes to discover the source of a problem, sometimes to access feelings and limiting beliefs.

• Parts therapy is interactive work in which you 'listen to' parts of yourself, understand them, dialogue with them, and help them find healing resolution. Parts therapy is very effective to stop self-sabotage.

• Consulting the Inner Wisdom may be a part of any of the above sessions or it may stand alone. In the relaxed state, you may be able to ask questions and receive answers from the deeper levels of your mind, the source of intuition and inspiration.

You will receive an individually tailored self-hypnosis tape to use on your own. Hypnotherapy, self-hypnosis and the related tool of EFT can empower you to break through inner obstacles, feel different, make desired changes, and find more happiness and freedom.

See related article: "About EFT"