HYPNOSIS: American Psychological Association
(APA)
The Official Division 30 Definition and Description of Hypnosis
Hypnosis: A state of consciousness involving focused attention and reduced peripheral awareness characterized by an enhanced capacity for response to suggestion.
Hypnotic induction: A procedure designed to induce hypnosis.
Hypnotizability: An individual’s ability to experience suggested alterations in physiology, sensations, emotions, thoughts, or behavior during hypnosis.
Hypnotherapy: The use of hypnosis in the treatment of a medical or psychological disorder or concern.
Hypnosis is further defined by the APA Division of Psychological Hypnosis as a procedure in which a health professional or researcher suggests, while treating someone that he or she experiences changes in sensations, perceptions, thoughts or behavior.
Hypnosis is a state of focused attention, in which one feels very calm and relaxed. It is a state of trance not sleep.
Four Stages: Hypnosis Session
Pre Induction Period:
Client is interviewed by the practitioner, to establish rapport, take personal history, assess the problem, explains what a hypnotherapy session is like and conducts a suggestibility test.
Introduction and Deepening:
This is done with the use of an induction script written in metaphoric Language. The idea is to distract the “Conscious Mind” so that we can talk to the “Sub conscious Mind” which speaks in Metaphors.
Therapeutic or Heart of the Session:
The use of directive or in directive suggestions
To change behavior, alter a mood or achieve
New state of awareness.
Termination of Session:
At the end of the session the client is returned
To a normal conscious state. One needs to
Re establish rapport with their conscious and
Confirm the trance suggestions
FAQ’S: Hypnosis
Hypnosis is not a form of psychotherapy. It is a procedure that can be used to facilitate other types of therapies or treatments.
Hypnosis has been used to treat pain, depression, anxiety and phobias; stress; habit disorders; gastro-intestinal disorders; skin conditions; post surgical recovery; relief from nausea and vomiting; childbirth; treatment of medical problems; surgery, etc.
People differ in the degree to which they Respond to hypnosis. A person’s ability to experience hypnosis can be inhibited by fearsAnd concerns arising from some common Misconceptions. People who have been hypnotized do not lose control over their behavior and they do remember what transpired during hypnosis.
Resource: Society of Psychological Hypnosis
Http://www.apa.org/divisions/div30