A Brief History of Hypnosis
Hypnosis has been used throughout thousand of years. In ancient Egypt, "sleep temples" were used as early as 1000 BC. Here priests would "whisper" people to "sleep" and suggest how they would be cured. These types of temples were introduce in Greece somewhere around the fourth century BC and into Roman culture about a hundred years later. These types of temples flourished throughout the time of the Roman Empire.
Throughout the Middle Ages hypnosis became acknowledge as everything from healing "laying of the hands" to witchcraft and sorcery. It wasn't until the years between 1760-1842 (the Mesmer period), when Franz Anton Mesmer revitalized hypnosis with French royalty that hypnosis resurfaced. Mesmer's flamboyant personality and outrageous lifestyle enraged an austere group who set out to discredit him and later exiled him.
Later, an English physician, James Braid, studied Mesmer's work with the sole purpose of discrediting it once and for all. Instead, he became fascinated and with the help of friends and family went on to prove many of Mesmer's theories. Dr. Braid was the first to use the term hypnosis.
In the 1800's Sigmund Freud became interested in hypnosis. He used this process for only a short period of time. There are suggestions to the fact, that most experts agree that his free association techniques were merely hypnosis in disguise.
In the early 1900's, Emili Coue, introduce the theory of self-hypnosis. He believed that with the re-enforcement of a positive statement, a person could improve their mental state. "Everyday, in every way, I am getting better and better." became the positive mantra of self-hypnosis.
Throughout the next fifty years, hypnosis had little or not effect on the world. In World War I, the Germans used it to control pain when they ran out of anesthetics. During World War II and the Korean War, it once again resurfaced as a way to control pain. By the 1950's, there was an ever-increasing use of hypnosis by the medical community.
In 1958, the American Medical Association formally approved hypnosis as a therapeutic modality.
Since that time, hypnosis has had a steady progression in consideration and use as a therapeutic modality in the medical and psychiatric communities. It is no longer thought of as something esoteric.
The Myths and Fears Attached to Hypnosis
Clark Hull, a renowned researcher, once stated, "All sciences alike have descended from magic and superstition, but none has been so slow as hypnosis in shaking off the evil associations of it origins." Today many people use hypnosis to help them make changes in their lives. There are still some common myths and fears attached to hypnosis.
Myth of the Weak Mind: It is a common thought that only those of a weak mind or gullible personality can be hypnotized. In fact the opposite is quite true! People of above average intelligence, those capable of high levels of concentration and people who have an active and vivid imagination are the best subjects for hypnosis.
Fear of Humiliation: This is always the number one fear. People associate hypnosis with the stage shows they have attended. They feel as if the hypnotist has some sort of power over their minds. Nothing can be further from the truth. The subject will not relate to any unacceptable suggestions. In a stage show, have you noticed that the hypnotist starts with the question, "Are you here to have some fun?" Those who agree by nodding their heads are very good subjects for having fun on stage. They are there to have fun, they know that the show should be fun, and the fun of the show is to be entertaining to the audience in the ways of silly antics. They will do anything fun or silly on stage. Ask them to rob a bank, and the show is over. They will either not respond or come out of hypnosis all together. You are never humiliated in hypnosis. Only the suggestions acceptable to your mind will be received. Anything not in line with your acceptable consciousness will be rejected. So if quacking like a duck is not what you care to do during your session, then you won't.
Fear of Being in Trance: There are two collective ideas that people associate with being in trance. First, there is the word itself. In our collective conscious, there is the association of the word "trance" with morbid or stupor-like conditions. The word trance comes from Latin "transir" - meaning to die. In the Middle Ages the word trance meant great anxiety or fear and transir was to die. You can see how the word trance would continue to carry a fearful or morbid element. Today, there are those who still fear being in trance. Or as some have referred, "being under". Sounds a lot like being buried. In fact, you are never "under". You are merely in a state of mind where acceptable suggestions are readily received. There is nothing terrifying or morbid about hypnosis.
Fear of Revealing Secrets: This is another very common fear amongst people. That somehow during the session they will choose to blurt out a deeply hidden, embarrassing secret from their past, or the four digit code to their ATM card. The truth of the matter is, you are not there to reveal secrets and the hypnotist is not there to find them out. You are there to work on improving your life and that is the work that will be performed. The "power-over-you" is a very common misconception. As if the hypnotist as all this power over you and you must obey every command. If fact, the opposite. The subject has all the "power" because it is with his/her conscious that the work is taking place. Remember, you will only work, relate or accept what your mind finds acceptable. So if you are not used to standing in the middle of the grocery store, blurting out all your hidden secrets, then your secrets will remain with you.
Fear of Losing Control: We've all seen the movie where someone has power over an innocent person and has them do all sorts of evil or illegal acts. Congratulations, you have just seen Hollywood's rendition of hypnosis. There are those who believe they will lose control of their mind if hypnotized. Just as in the fact that you will not reveal any secrets, you do not lose control of your mind. Only suggestions acceptable to your consciousness are accepted. You are always in control of the session, completely aware of your surroundings and can make decisions. If a suggestion is present that you would find objectionable in a fully conscious state, then will find it objectionable in the session. The hypnotist cannot make you do anything. The hypnotist only helps you achieve the goals you have already set in your mind.
Fear of "Not Waking Up: The fact of the matter is hypnosis is not sleep. There are many ways that hypnosis feels and looks like sleep, but the two states are very different psychologically and physiologically. You are never asleep during the session. If you are, then you just missed your session. You never can get "stuck" in your session. There are times when subjects enjoy the feelings and effects of the sessions, that they are reluctant to emerge. If for any reason the subject does not want to emerge at the moment it is suggested, he/she will do one of two things: (1) emerge on their own in a very short time or (2) fall into a natural sleep and emerge when they naturally awaken.
"I Wasn't Hypnotized. I Heard Everything You Said" I hope so, you are paying for the session. One of the persistent ideas, is that the client must be unconscious during the session. They cannot seem to understand that hypnosis is not sleep. I like to ask clients if they are hypnotized each night when they sleep. In fact, they are not. When they awaken, they have not experienced hypnosis or been hypnotized. So if they insist that they must be unconscious or asleep in order to be hypnotized, then why are they not experiencing hypnosis each and every night. Because the two states of mind are unrelated. You are able to hear everything around you in a session. Your mind is more focused and open during the session than it is in a normal waking state. The "feeling" of sleep may come from experiencing such a state of mind. It is relaxing and something most people look forward to during their session. You certainly hear, and I would want you to, all suggestions given during the session.
So Then, What Is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis refers to the state or condition in which the client becomes highly responsive to suggestions.
Pretty simple, isn't it? Seems like there should be more to the definition after all the myths and false ideas attached to hypnosis. There isn't. It is just a space in time when you are giving yourself permission to be responsive to suggestions in order to facilitate change. The changes come from within you. You are already aware in your subconscious mind of the very ideas, things and behaviors that are needed to create change. Hypnosis helps to re-enforce them and bring them forward in pure thought. Some clients like to think of this process like a computer. In other words, the subconscious mind is a giant storage bank of everything you have ever thought, felt or experienced. It accepts this information without judgment or pre-conceived ideas. However, there are times when we try to use this information later and it has to pass through what is called the Critical Factor and the Conscious Mind. This is where the information can get twisted and judgmental. Resulting in a distortion of the original fact or information. This leaves us in unacceptable behavioral patterns, with fears or phobias, stressed or experiencing feelings of low self-esteem or confidence. During your session, we re-program the information, delete false ideas attached to the information, re-configure the information. It's all the same information that originally was received, but without anything attached.
How can hypnosis help you?
Smoking cessation
Weight reduction
Stress management
Change behavior patterns
Increase self-esteem
Overcome fears and phobias
Improve your relationships
Improve concentration, memory and other skills
....and many more goals you wish to achieve
What is a hypnosis session like and what is the fee?
Hypnosis is very calming. We like to take time prior to the session to talk about the common myths and misconceptions regarding hypnosis. This is a great time for you to ask any and all questions you have regarding hypnosis. We also like to have a client intake that further helps define the purpose of the session. The intake is very important and beneficial for hypnosis. It is a vital foundation for the client and the hypnotist to ensure success. Client intakes can last up to an hour. Once the intake is documented and the client is ready, then the hypnotist begins the session.
It is during this time, that an appropriate induction is used with suggestions or affirmations. These are all suggestions that are acceptable to the client. They are meant to assist the client in achieving the goal they have set. To be a non-smoker, to reduce their weight, to have confidence at speaking engagements, are all goals that clients have desired to achieve. Each session is different because each client is different. Sessions last approximately two hours. This ensures time for intake, induction and intervention.
We ask that you approach hypnosis in honesty. These sessions are ethically offered in a sense of care and concern for helping our clients obtain their goals. Voltaire wrote, "When I can do what I want to do, there is my liberty for me." We want to help you live your life in liberty. Not controlled by your thoughts and behaviors. We approach our sessions with integrity and the desire to succeed. We ask that you do the same. When you are ready to make change in your life, please feel free to call for an appointment.
Due the structure of our schedules, hypnosis appointments are made in accordance to appointment availability.
Please contact Beverly at 724.449.2255 or 412.680.5920 to make a Comprehensive Session. Intake session only and Intervention session only can be made through on-line appointment service.
Comprehensive session
This session allows for client intake, induction and intervention that facilitates success. Pendulum work included.
Fee: $150 Two hours
Intake session only
This session only allows for only a comprehensive evaluation of the client and defines the purposes of the intervention session. Pendulum work included.
Fee: $45 40 minutes
Intervention only
This session facilitates change and opens possibilities in the client's life for a positive lifestyle. Pendulum work included.
Fee: $85 One hour
