Hypnotherapy does not ‘mess with your mind’. That said, if there is some old belief or practice that your subconscious is maintaining, that is no longer useful for you, hypnotherapy can help your mind decide to do things in a way that is more appropriate for you in the present.

I am a professional hypnotherapist, and in working with a client, I always teach them to do self-hypnosis, as it is so helpful for just about any issue, and for allowing yourself rest and comfort right in the moment. It’s an extremely healthful state, and completely natural and pleasant.

If you’d like to learn hypnosis for self-use, I’d suggest you get this book and read it, and it will tell you everything you need to know about the practical, useful nature of self-hypnosis. It’s a wonderful book by the late Charles Tebbetts, called ‘Self-Hypnosis And Other Mind-Expanding Techniques.’ This book reveals the structure and workings of the mind, and how to facilitate self-hypnosis, in a very clear, simple way.

Self-Hypnosis and Other Mind Expanding Techniques
http://www.amazon.com/Self-Hypnosis-Other-Mind-Expanding-Techniques/dp/0930298187

Best of luck with it!
-Patricia

Watervox Hypnosis & Hypnotherapy
http://www.watervox.net

Be sure and check out the Hypnotherapist that you are to use and make sure he/she is reputable. One, no more than two visits should be all you will need, whereas a shady one will try and milk you of as much money as they can!

Hypnotherapy, basically, gets your sub-conscious handling your ‘problems’ with out distraction and forgetfullness. Great for stopping smoking, diet, exercise, drinking etc. problems, self confidence – anything and everything you may have problems with. Consciously we decide to do something about a problem eg sleeping problems. Then our conscious starts worrying about it while trying to find solutions and so on…………and we end up not sleeping! The sub-conscious tells us to relax, don’t worry about it and so on ………….before you know it, you’re pumping out Zzzzzzz’s.

No. Hypnotherapy does not and cannot mess with your mind. Whilst under hypnosis, you cannot be told, for a dramatic example, to be told to go and rob a bank or kill someone. Your sub-conscious cannot be ‘told’ to do something that you, as a conscious and aware person, would never consider doing. Perfectly safe and effective. I must tell you though, not all people are good subjects for hypnotherapy.

If you have something that is causing you serious stress in your life, you need to sort this out. Hypnotherapy may help you relax, but until the underlying problems are resolved, your body will continue its problems.

It would also be a good idea if you asked your hypnotherapist for a tape recording of your session so you know exactly what went on and it may help you learn to relax yourself at a later time if needed.

I take it you have tried the obvious………….wear yourself out with lots of good, hard, physical exercise? Not the gym variety, but hard labour type, dig a garden, build a huge sandcastle if live near the beach, run up and down the steepest hill in your area. Swim heaps of laps. Or even lay in bed with a really good book………..I find if I lay on my back reading I cannot sleep, but if I read whilst rolled onto my side and in a comfortable position, I don’t get to the end of the first page!

Or do what I am……………try to help others with their problems. Takes my mind off my own, then with a couple of glasses of wine I usually get a decent sleep!

Good Luck.

It is understandable that you are querying this because there are so many misconceptions about hypnosis. When you begin to understand it better then you can feel more comfortable about it.

I am a hypnotherapist and can tell you that wonderful changes can be made through hypnotherapy and I love seeing the fantastic differences in my clients.

Hypnotherapy is not bad for you (but do make sure you find a reputable and properly qualified hypnotherapist).

Hypnosis is a very natural state that we enter into every day. Hypnosis is merely a narrow focused state of attention. When you read a really good book sometimes the word around you fades away as you become engrossed in it. This is an example of how natural hypnosis is.

When hypnosis is used in a therapy setting then it may be referred to as hypnotherapy. When you are in a guided state of relaxation such as with hypnotherapy then it allows your conscious mind to take a backseat and your unconscious mind to take on new and instinctive learnings. You only take on suggestions that you want to take on.

With the use of hypnotherapy you can build a template or blueprint in the brain allowing you to feel more relaxed and comfortable where otherwise you may have had anxieties.

With hypnotherapy we are using the very natural state of hypnosis together with your own resources to allow for a more beneficial outcome. It is about updating your instincts to work in a way which is better for you.

I have been hypnotized. The only way I knew I was though was because he had us remember a funny joke; I could not stop laughing, and the joke isn’t that funny. That was in a club.

I’ve been under hypnotherapy as well. Learned a great deal about myself through these sessions. I had a lot I needed to know.

You will not do anything under hypnosis that you would not do in your normal state of mind. Your moral filters are in place.

here’s a forum where some practitioners like to nestle and chatter.
http://www.uncommonforum.com/viewforum.php?f=16

observation: lately there sure have been a bunch of questions on hypnosis floating around.

my own experience is mostly theoretical streaming from a collection of books and reading up on articles.

lay down, legs uncrossed, arms to your sides. This is to induce proper blood flow.

Picture a long spiral- staircase… do not picture your self taking these stairs, but rather unraveling before you,

Inhale and exhale normally. Picture each exhalation as a dark cloud of negative energy. Picture each inhalation as a stream of good energy, coming into your mouth.

Tell yourself whatever it is you want to hypnotize yourself to believe, or do, then carefully sit up, open your eyes, and you’ve successfully done it!!!