What are your thoughts on hypnotherapy?

[bliss_eternal]

Valid therapeutic process? Quakery? Personal experience with it?

I'm very interested in hearing feedback on your personal thoughts on this...

Thanks so much!
bliss_e.

:hi:


edited for grammar...

[Pepperbelly]

1. it's relaxing ...

And that in itself is a good thing.

[bliss_eternal]

6. Definitely!

Thank you for your response! :hi:

[Bluestar]

2. I was certified as a hypnotherapist 13 years ago

Hi--

I have experience doing hypnotherapy, although it's not my profession. What would you like to know? I mostly use it for past life regression and it is very effective. I've never had a client who didn't re-live a past life with this method.

I've used it a few times to help people lose weight, stop smoking, etc. and I'm not so convinced about its long term effectiveness for things like this. It seems to work for awhile, but it seems to wear off. Although I must admit I wasn't really into doing multiple sessions. There could be others on this board who use it regularly for this and have good success, so I don't want to judge its effectiveness from my limited experience in this area.

[bliss_eternal]

5. Hi Bluestar

and Welcome to DU!

I'm researching it as a treatment. I'm wondering how affective people that have utilized it have found it to be.

If I may ask, when you certified in it, were you hoping to utilize it beyond past life regressions? Or was that primarily how you wanted to use it?

:hi:

Hope you enjoy things here on DU!

[Bluestar]

7. Hi bliss_eternal

When I decided to take the hypnotherapy class, I had been regressed a couple of times and had incredible past life experiences. I decided to learn hypnosis as I wanted to use it for self-hypnosis to learn to meditate. I had a very high-pressure job as a sales director at the time, and found it almost impossible to relax. Hypnosis really did it for me and it also started me on a journey to discover my true life plan. Hypnosis led me to doing automatic writing and channeling which gave me a lot of insight as to what I would do with the rest of my life.

As a personal experience, I recommend it highly, but I don't really have any information about using it as a treatment. I know that it is invaluable as a tool for recall of details about things that have happened in the past. Good luck to you!

[bliss_eternal]

8. Thank you, Bluestar--

If I may ask--did you study somewhere in California? Maybe studying it would be helpful for me--then I could really help myself, as opposed to going to someone...

:hi:

[Bluestar]

11. Hypnosis in California

I studied with Dick Sutphen. You can find out about his classes at www.dicksutphen.com. He runs a class in Los Angeles for hypnosis training at least once a year and I think he also now offers one on the East Coast. He also has a lot of CD's and tapes where you can experience it first-hand if you want to try it out on your own. There are other hypnosis training schools around, but their names escape me right now. Good luck on your journey!

[bliss_eternal]

17. Thank you again, Bluestar!

I appreciate the link and your sharing your experience with this!

:D

[Punkingal]

18. Hi Bluestar....

I studied with Dick Sutphen also. It was a terrific experience, and I, too, highly recommend his books and tapes.

[nickinSTL]

10. My mom used it

to stop smoking.

I think that motivation may play a large role in its effectiveness, but my mom hasn't smoked since (and this was about 20 years ago)

[suziedemocrat]

32. I've been past-life regressed and had an LBL.

LBL = Life between Lives. I had written a very detailed message about it and the computer suddenly went "back" a few pages and it got erased. A sign not to be so explicit??? Suffice it to say I got guidance from my guides that I need to be more self-confident and that I need to be getting more out of this life. I also experienced a very strong white light that felt so real it was incredible. I experienced that both times and the hypnotherapist said they were healing me. Weird?? I don't know if it helped that much but I am aware that my insecurity is keeping me from fulfilling my destiny - whatever it is???

[Why Syzygy]

3. I had it once and loved it

Wish I could do it more. I was taken back to a childhood traumatic event. I was aware of everything the whole time, but when asked questions could only answer as the child I was. Something told me what I was saying was not "true today", but as a child, it was.... ie .. is mommy perfect? In the hypnotic state I HAD to say "yes" .. but of course "I" know that isn't "true". Afterwards I felt like a little kid. Wanted to go play in the park, which I did. That was a fairly regular habit of mine anyway, but this was just a free feeling.

Another therapist tried to use hypnosis, but I did not go into the trance state. I don't understand a whole lot about hypnosis, though I've read about it online and have a few books.

[bliss_eternal]

4. That sounds incredible!

Thank you for your response--that blows me away!

If I may ask, were you seeing the hypnotherapist to work specifically on the childhood trauma, or something else?

[Why Syzygy]

9. Life in general.

Shame issues from childhood played large in "life in general".

[bliss_eternal]

16. I understand...

:hug: Thank you for being so candid. :hug:

[mntleo2]

12. Every Time I Try To Self Hypnotize

...I fall asleep. As in the "ZZZZZ" kind of sleep, lol. I am not sure what I am doing wrong. I usually "take an elevator" up or down and never hit the destiny. Or if I do, it is not long after that I am out. What am I doing wrong? I could sure use self hynosis for some other things like wieght loss and smoking cessation.

I have never done it but I would love to do a past life regression sometime. I susect it would help me understand a lot of what is going on now.

Cat In Seattle

[Bluestar]

14. Going too Deep

Hi Cat:

There are 3 levels of consciousness. Beta consciousness is wide awake, like you are most of the day. Alpha consciousness is one level down, and theta consciousness is deep asleep. I believe you are going too deep into theta. You want to reach alpha level for hypnosis--it's not really asleep and you are aware of what is going on in the room. Just shorten the elevator ride before you get too deep.

You can actually reach alpha level when you are watching TV (the flashing colors on the screen do it to us). That's why TV advertising is so effective--it actually gets into your subconscious. A little scary, huh?

[hvn_nbr_2]

15. Couple possibilities

One possibility is that you're not really asleep but in a deep enough state that you just don't remember when you come back up to a state closer to regular waking consciousness. Hypnotic amnesia is one characteristic of a deep state. It can occur because it's suggested or can also occur spontaneously.

If you're really falling asleep, here are a couple suggestions: Don't lie down or even recline. Sit up in a position such that your head is not supported, so if you start to fall asleep, your head will start to tip and it will probably wake you. Even sit in a position that your back isn't supported, such as a lotus or simply cross-legged position. If you do various kinds of deepening (e.g., counting down, going down stairs or elevators, progressive relaxation, visualizing various sorts of things), do less of that.

[Cleita]

13. I tried it forty years ago to try to quit smoking.

I did quit for about a month, but it really wasn't effective for me for that. However, I have used the technique of self-hypnosis to help me concentrate when I needed to study something and learn it. Then it really did help.

[Habibi]

19. Late with a reply

but I only started hanging out here yesterday. :hi:

I've had hypnosis twice--two different practitioners, two different reasons. The first time, I was looking to overcome a fear of driving. I had 3 sessions with a woman who had an education background as well as hypnosis training. It was amazingly successful, I was driving with confidence even before the 3rd session, although it appears to be wearing off somewhat now, about 12 years after.

The second instance was for weight loss. The practitioner was not as skilled or as well-trained, and I didn't get much out of the experience. (Found another way to lose the weight however--diet and exercise!)

[bliss_eternal]

23. Hi Habibi--

please forgive me for being so late in responding to your response. LOL! I had stopped checking this thread for responses, and just noticed this today.

I really appreciate your feedback and honesty.

It's great that you had such great results--I appreciate your feedback about the hypnotherapists preparation and background!

Glad you are finding success for weight loss with diet and exercise, good for you! :hi:

Thanks again!

[rumpel]

20. My daughter underwent hypnotherapy for a while, I am not sure if it helped

her. But it is probably all dependent on the patient's willingness and the therapist's abilities.

However I find Michael Newton's books fascinating.

http://www.spiritualregression.org/michael.html

[bliss_eternal]

24. Cool--

thanks for the link!

:hi:

[paulk]

21. my wife is a certified hypnotherapist

and her experience is that the patient's desire for it to work is key ... in effect, you are really hypnotizing yourself.

like smoking - it will definately help - but you've got to really want to stop

[divineorder]

22. Potentials Unlimited.com

I have been working with a hypnosis cd for the past two months off and on. It's about prosperity. I have seen both my physical space become more tidy, my attendance improve, and unexpected gifts come into my world. (I got a mug free, have found some things cheapter, and have met my bills a bit easier). The secret is to keep doing it for longer than 30 days if the pattern is deeply engrained. In fact, throw away the time limit and keep listening until you feel the need to listen fade or the problem go away. And also listen more than what is being suggested if possible. My mp3 is set to repeat, and I can absorb what is being said all night long even while I sleep, deepening subconscious impressions.

Now, one advantage of using the cd instead of seeing a practitioner is that there is no influence due to personal impressions regarding appearance or that day's approach to you. When you see someone, the way they originally greet you, the things they tell you about their interests, politics, even what kind of perfume they wear, can distract you or even make you hostile to what is being said. Not to mention that you may be seeing someone when you're not feeling well or distracted. Tapes can be put away and listened to when you feel less distracted. While I have seen pictures of the person doing the tape, except for the little I have heard from the tape, I really know nothing about him. I've never met him, and am not dealing with him, so I am free to focus just on what is being said and my own goal in listening.

The last time I used this same script was 10 years ago. I listened for more than a month, and got the job I'm still working at so many years ago and have moved four times since, improving my living quarters each time. So far I am still working at my seasonal job and getting a good rating at work when I would have been laid off by now.

The inner results seem to have been a lessening of financial anxiety. I feel that somehow I will come up with whatever it is I need for when I need it.

[bliss_eternal]

26. Hi divineorder--

Thank you so much for the link/web address and for sharing your experience with hypnotherapy tapes. I'm impressed with your results!

What you said about a tape/cd being a good way to go, made sense to me.

It's funny you posted about this at this time. I was just investigating a few cds/tapes as a way to try the process on my own. So I'm VERY happy to see your endorsement of this method!

Thanks again! :hi:

Oh, and sorry it's taken me so long to reply--I just saw that this thread had new responses today.

[bliss_eternal]

25. Hi paulk--

I really appreciate your input, and your sharing some of your wife's experience.

Do you know if she thinks that cds and/or tapes work just as well as seeing someone one on one?

So sorry I am responding to this so late--I just noticed the few new responses to this thread today! Thanks again!

:hi:

[paulk]

27. cds or tapes can work for general things

like weight loss or smoking - but often there are secondary issues that a trained hypnotherapist can help bring out. A lot of times people don't know why they're having weight problems or continue to smoke - one session my wife related on smoking - at a group session she advised the group (while they were in trance) that it wouldn't work unless they were truly committed to quitting and if anyone felt that they didn't really want to quit, they should speak up. One of the women did, in a different voice than she'd used before being hypnotized. It turned out that this other "voice" was her fifteen year old self - an inner "bad girl", who saw herself in a black leather jacket smoking a cigarette. This inner person didn't want to quit, because smoking was tied to her inner perception of herself as "tough" and "cool". One of the basic things the tobacco industry tries to hook you on at that age, actually.
The point here is that a cd or tape wouldn't have bought this out - and now the hypnotherapist could help this person with the real reasons why this person continued smoking.

The thing to remember is that there is no magic bullet - it's a team effort between you and the therapist - that requires work and a commitment from both. And like any other human relationship - sometimes the chemistry between the two works, sometimes it doesn't...

[hvn_nbr_2]

28. That was a very good example...

of how a real live hypnotherapist can deal with stuff that comes up, that a tape never could. A live hypnotherapist can also evaluate when the subject is deep enough or starts coming out or doesn't respond well to some of the conventional induction or deepening imagery. For example, a common deepening procedure is to visualize going down an elevator, but it won't work for someone who hates elevators; floating on a cloud won't work for someone who's afraid of heights; etc. A trained practitioner can recognize the subject's response and deal with it. However, tapes and CDs are still a good thing, particularly for cost-effective repetition.

[bliss_eternal]

29. paulk--That's an amazing example--

such a great story--thanks so much for sharing it!

What about doing hypnotherapy at a distance, by phone? I'm guessing that may be less advantageous as well?

I'm having a difficult time finding therapists near me, with backgrounds that seem/feel to be a good fit for me...
so I am also considering working with a therapist that has stated she will do phone sessions...Anythoughts on that?

:hi:

[paulk]

30. I guess people do hypnotherapy over the phone

I don't know... it wouldn't work for me - I'm pretty damn hard to hypnotize in person

it might work for you.


:shrug:

[bliss_eternal]

31. I think I'd rather do that kind of work

one on one, in person. Just wondered about it...

Thanks for your feedback--I appreciate it!

[divineorder]

33. Reading Your Responses

It sounds like a combination of an occasional (or monthly) in person visit and daily tape-cd work would work well for you. The practitioner could work with you in person and convey his/her impressions regarding your issues, but you could listen to a tape made dealing with those issues in the meantime. It seems to me most practitioners would have to be flexible here, especially with busy clients who can only visit occasionally. Now with an in-person hypnotherapist, you may want to check bulletin boards, his/her credentials, and if you know someone who was a client for issues regarding credibility and professionalism.

I wouldn't think that a telephone induction would work very well. For one thing, you would have to worry about incoming calls (telemarketers and others breaking in, unexpected calls for use of the phone, et al), phone charges and whatnot. If you go in person, the practitioner could guard against distractions in the immediate environment. With a tape, you could close your door and turn off the phone for quiet.

Good luck in your quest. And this time of year can provide extra free time to start working with someone or with a tape. (Do you really need to go out Xmas eve or New Years's Day?)

[bliss_eternal]

38. Thanks, divineorder!

I really appreciate your input on this! :hi:

[Mojorabbit]

34. I used it for pain management

It has really helped.

[bliss_eternal]

37. I'm glad it helped you--

being in pain is so difficult, and can impact one's life in so many ways. :hi:

[jokerman93]

35. I saw a hypnotherapist

I saw a hypnotherapist-NLP practitioner for five sessions about two years ago for anxiety attacks from PTSD. It helped but didn't cure. The cure came finally with time and perspective; being able to accept and integrate the seed experience itself and draw from it as a source of growth.

There are no short cuts I know of for that though.

Also, beware of subtle pandering. My "hypnotherapist" tried slipping in suggestions that would lead me back to buying his other products and services. I called him on it and he got visibly upset. I had to reassure him that the induction was intact as long as he was focusing on helping me with my problem. It's been my experience with a number of "NLP types" that they often don't hesitate to use manipulative techniques because it's so easy for them to do -- apparently. Or at least they think so. Seems ethics can be a foggy area for some people who are attracted to "persuasion technologies". So tie your camel, as they say.

Just some thoughts on the subject. Best wishes on finding some reliable help.

J

[bliss_eternal]

36. It sounds like you handled that so well--

good for you for calling the 'therapist' on it. I would have been so pissed! Unfortunately, I've known of traditional MFCC and psychotherapists with similar motivations--getting the client to return for more sessions and to give them more money. So sad that some seem more money motivated than client needs motivated.

Thank you so much for that valuable warning! :hug: :hi: I really appreciate it!