About Hypnotherapy

Definition of Hypnosis

Hypnosis is a natural, yet altered, state of mind wherein the critical factor of the mind is relaxed, and selective thinking is maintained. Relaxing the critical factor facilitates communication between the conscious and the subconscious mind. Hypnosis can be self-induced, or can be entered through the guidance of a clinical hypnotherapist.

In the 1950s, the successful use of hypnosis to treat battle fatigue suffered by veterans of World War II and the Korean conflict stimulated the interest of psychiatrists, and prompted the British Medical Association to officially recognize hypnosis as a valuable medical treatment in 1955. An internal investigative committee of the American Medical Association reported favorably on hypnosis as well, encouraging the AMA to give their stamp of approval to hypnosis three years later. Hypnotherapy has continued to gain acceptance as an effective therapeutic tool, although it is generally considered an alternative or complementary technique to allopathic, or conventional medicine.

Hypnosis is NOT a truth serum; you can lie while in hypnosis.
You will NEVER divulge secrets; you will only reveal what you feel comfortable revealing to your hypnotherapist.
You can NEVER be overpowered or controlled while in hypnosis; you can get up and walk away any time you desire.
You will NOT surrender your will; you are in complete control of your mind and your will. The hypnotherapist merely serves as a guide to help you discover your hidden truths.
You will NEVER lose consciousness; you are fully conscious the whole time you are in hypnosis. You may fall asleep because you are so relaxed, but you will never lose consciousness.
You can NOT get "stuck" in hypnosis, except in Hollywood movies.
Hypnosis is NOT brainwashing.
Hypnotherapists are NOT authorized to treat psychotic, suicidal or homicidal patients.

Hypnosis Can Be Used For:

Unwanted habits or addictions, stress reduction and relaxation, fears and phobias, anxiety and panic, control of health symptoms and pain management, promotion of self-esteem and motivation, learning improvement, creativity enhancement, sports improvement, dealing with loss and separation, healing emotional trauma, spiritual counseling and past-life exploration.

Random Thoughts

The mind is a powerful tool, and thought is creative… if you can imagine it, you can create it. We are all energy expressing ourselves. Your dominant thought tends to be your experience.

Reality is your experience of the world - your reality is the result of your mind; therefore, it is subjective, and only reflects what you are knowing and believing about yourself.

The single most important phenomenon of hypnotherapy is that it tends to give the client a direct experience of perfect love or agape, the Greek word for unconditional love.

Many great teachers, including the Buddha and Jesus Christ commonly used meditation and prayer to access higher states of mind and receive divine guidance. Hypnosis is just that: a form of meditation and prayer.

Trance calls upon and cultivates the client's connections to their inner Divine Intelligence.

From ancient times to today, hypnotherapy has proved to be one of the most effective diagnostic and healing tools known to civilization. Fortunately, many people are discovering and using hypnotherapy to heal all levels of their body, mind and spirit.

Dr. Steve and Susan McElmury are graduates of the Hypnotherapy Academy of America in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The American Council of Hypnotist Examiners has nationally certified them clinical hypnotherapists.