Practitioners use clinical hypnosis in three main ways. First, they encourage the use of imagination. Mental imagery is very powerful, especially in a focused state of attention. The mind seems capable of using imagery, even if it is only symbolic, to assist us in bringing about the things we are imagining. For example, a patient with ulcerative colitis may be asked to imagine what his/her distressed colon looks like. If she imagines it as being like a tunnel, with very red, inflamed walls that are rough in texture, the patient may be encouraged in hypnosis (and in self-hypnosis) to imagine this image changing to a healthy one.
A second basic hypnotic method is to present ideas or suggestions to the patient. In a state of concentrated attention, ideas and suggestions that are compatible with what the patient wants seem to have a more powerful impact on the mind.
Finally, hypnosis may be used for unconscious exploration, to better understand underlying motivations or identify whether past events or experiences are associated with causing a problem. Hypnosis avoids the critical censor of the conscious mind, which often defeats what we know to be in our best interests. The effectiveness of hypnosis appears to lie in the way in which it bypasses the critical observation and interference of the conscious mind, allowing the client's intentions for change to take effect.
Clinical Hypnosis involves the use of hypnosis as a treatment or intervention for a physical or psychological problem. This treatment indicates an altered state of consciousness, awareness, or perception. In general, hypnosis induces a highly relaxed state where the patient’s mind, both conscious and unconscious, is focused and open to therapeutic suggestions.
What problems can hypnosis be used to treat?
Hypnosis can be used as a treatment intervention for a number of psychological difficulties. These difficulties include smoking cessation, depression, anxiety, addiction, chronic pain, relaxation, memory improvement, weight control, anxiety, and phobias. Physicians have also used hypnosis in psychiatric treatment, anesthesia and surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, and pain control. Hypnosis has also been used as an effective intervention to reduce anxiety from a fear of dentistry or dental surgery, and as an intervention for tongue or gum biting, gagging, saliva control and oral hygiene.