Upon hearing the word hypnosis, one may think of pendulums swinging, crystal balls changing colors, and elaborate outfits. However, this is simply not the case with clinical hypnosis. Despite its portrayal in films and television as a magical or otherworldly technique, hypnotherapy is an effective, very real, adjunct treatment for those suffering from a wide range of psychological and physiological issues, such as depression, anxiety, gastrointestinal problems, among many others.
The American Psychological Association defines hypnotherapy as “a therapeutic technique in which clinicians make suggestions to individuals who have undergone a procedure designed to relax them and focus their minds.” Often, clinical hypnosis is used in conjunction with a primary treatment for an array of conditions and behaviors, including:
Pain Control
Cancer Treatment Side Effects
Joint Injuries & Burns
Hot Flashes
Insomnia
Fear, Anxiety, Phobias & Depression
Bed-Wetting
Smoking
Weight Loss
Childbirth
Fertility
Procrastination
Motivation
Memory & Concentration
Attitude & Mood
Stress Reduction
Supporting Science
Many scientific studies have proven hypnosis to be an effective healing technique.
One analysis followed 204 subjects suffering from irritable bowel syndrome as they received 12 weekly sessions of hypnosis. Seventy-five percent of the women and 58 percent of the men reported symptom relief immediately following treatment. After six years, more than 80 percent of those who reported this still felt improvement.
Another study examined the treatment’s ability to ease anxiety prior to operations. Participants who underwent clinical hypnosis experienced a 56 percent decrease in anxiety levels compared to the control group, which did not receive therapy, and reported an increase of 47 percent.
Other studies have shown hypnosis also has the ability to change behaviors. “Hypnosis for Smoking Cessation: A Randomized Trial,” for example, published in the peer-reviewed medical journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research, weighed the treatment of 286 current smokers with either hypnosis or behavioral counseling. It concluded that “hypnosis combined with [nicotine patches] compares favorably with standard behavioral counseling in generating long-term quit rates.”
Often, clinical hypnosis is used in conjunction with a primary treatment for an array of conditions and behaviors.
What Patients Can Expect
Discuss your goals with your credentialed therapist. Perhaps it’s business-related. Maybe you need assistance working through pain from an illness. Once you’ve reviewed and clearly defined your objectives, your therapist will develop a plan of treatment and outline the duration and number of sessions you’ll need.
The therapist will speak in a soothing tone at each meeting, while describing scenes that bring patients to a state of relaxation and security. Once patients are receptive, the therapist helps patients visualize themselves achieving their predetermined goals. Remember, these can be wide-ranging, from a patient seeking the confidence to deliver a speech in front of coworkers that they’ve been anxious about, to even quitting smoking.
Patients do not lose control of their behavior during hypnosis, and remain aware of what is taking place. Once finished, the therapist will guide patients out of their relaxed state, or instruct them how to bring themselves out of it.
How Northport Wellness Center Can Help
To ensure hypnosis sessions are safe and successful, patients must recruit a certified clinical hypnotherapist. Northport Wellness Center alliance member Joanne Ferdman is a certified clinical hypnotist and holistic health enthusiast with the expertise to guide patients toward their goals—whether pain control, behavioral changes, or overcoming mental health challenges.
Ferdman helps patients focus on their present and future, enabling them to let go of past traumas. Her ability to perform hypnosis empowers patients to overcome obstacles and live the life they dream of living.
Contact Northport Wellness Center today to learn more about clinical hypnosis, and to schedule a consultation.
