What is Hypnosis?

Opinions vary on the exact definition of this natural state of mind.
There is no legal definition of hypnosis. Webster's Dictionary describes it incorrectly as an artificially induced sleep, but it is not sleep and it is actually a natural state of mind that is induced normally in everyday living much more often than it is induced artificially.
Every time we become engrossed in a novel or a motion picture,we are in a natural
hypnotic trance .

Additionally, the common belief evidenced by research is that a person experiencing hypnosis slows down his or her brain waves from BETA into ALPHA – although some people believe that we may actually enter THETA during deep trance states.
(THETA is normally the "dream" state we pass through on the way to and from DELTA – or deep sleep.)
Be aware that since we must all pass through ALPHA on the way to and from sleep,
we could easily say that all of us experience hypnosis at least twice daily.

It is generally accepted in the fields of psychology that all hypnosis is in actuality, self-hypnosis.
In other-words, the hypnotherapist is simply a guide that accompanies the client during a process of relaxed,
focused awareness – a process where they are completely aware of their surroundings.

How does hypnosis work?

The most common example of hypnosis is reading a book, which almost anyone can relate to.
When you read a book, your body experiences various emotions. Emotions are nothing but chemical changes within the body.
Depending upon the emotion, the body produces a certain “cocktail” of chemicals to produce the desired emotion. It would be absurd to think that the actual text or ink in the book is creating the emotion in the body.
It is simply the interpretation of the text that creates a thought in your mind – a thought that is so realistic your body bio-chemically changes to create an emotion.
The words of a hypnotherapist to a client cannot create physical or emotional changes within the person any more than the text on a page can. It’s how you interpret the text, much like how you interpret the words of the hypnotherapist , that create the change you desire.

Does a hypnotized person give up control?

Do we give up control of our minds when reading a book or watching a movie?
These everyday examples of hypnosis best illustrate how the mind can create physical changes within the body simply through imagination. While reading a book or watching a movie, you are literally in a hypnotic trance; however,
you still have the power to emerge from that state if desired.
A book, a movie, or a hypnotherapist may guide your mind, but you still have the power to resist or return to normal everyday activity.

To discuss your needs further or arrange for a first appointment please do call or e-mail me.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Best wishes.

Bernie Nordquist CH; M.NLP;EFT-CC

Certified Hypnotherapist