Clinical Hypnosis: It’s like a massage for your brain!
In 2016 I wanted to learn a new therapeutic technique that wasn’t “typical,” in the sense of modern Western psychology. Hypnosis- steeped in magic and misunderstanding- seemed the most interesting. I was skeptical of it’s uses in traditional talk therapy…actually, I was skeptical of it’s applications for anything. So I decided to learn about it.
I attended intensive trainings over the course of 2 years through the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis and the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis. I discovered that not only was my skepticism unwarranted, but clinical hypnosis, when paired with traditional therapy, proved to be a profoundly impactful tool when working with extreme anxiety, stress management, and chronic and terminal illnesses.
So…how does it work?
Basically, we go in and out of trance all day. Those times when you’re driving and you hear a song that transports you back in time, and you’re thinking about another time and place….and all of a sudden you don’t remember the last stop light (or two)? You are in a state of trance. When you are so into a project or activity, that you are unaware of your surroundings? Trance.
Trance is really only focused attention to the exclusion of other stimuli. Clinical hypnosis begins with the purposeful induction of a trace state through repetition and relaxation techniques.
In clinical hypnosis, I induce a state of trance to allow your conscious mind (that part that is paying attention to EVERYTHING) to take a break and allow your subconscious (the part that knows what you need instinctually) to come forward and weigh in on the challenges. In my practice all hypnosis is self-hypnosis. This isn’t the kind you see at entertainment shows. This is individualized, therapeutically purposeful, and you are always aware of what’s happening.
Theresa Summer, LMHC 