Benefits of Hypnosis

Hypnosis has countless uses in psychotherapy, psychiatry and various medical specialties. The use of hypnotic techniques by the helping professions has increased steadily in recent years, because hypnosis is gaining widespread acceptance as a safe, reliable, effective and comfortable alternative or adjunct to other, more traditional methods. In the modern climate of skyrocketing health care costs, hypnosis is also proving invaluable as an aid in speeding recovery from physical and mental problems.

It finally earned formal recognition as a valuable tool in health care in 1958, when the Council on Mental Health of the American Medical Association recommended that instruction in hypnosis be included in medical school curricula. Hypnosis was similarly embraced several years later by the American Psychological Association. Thousands of psychologists, dentists, and physicians in various specialties now have thorough training in hypnotic methods within their specialty areas. Professional organizations in clinical hypnosis provide extensive training and continuing education in hypnosis, and provide their members with specific ethical guidelines for the professional use of hypnosis.

WHAT HYPNOSIS CAN DO FOR YOU

There are many good reasons to seek the services of medical professionals or psychotherapists skilled in the use of hypnosis. In psychotherapy, hypnotic techniques are effective in speeding the process of therapy. Hypnosis is used effectively to facilitate patients' understanding of themselves or their problems, extinguish unfortunate habits, reduce anxiety and fears, and develop a new and more adaptive outlook.

In medicine and health psychology, hypnosis is used to effectively treat such conditions as irritable bowel syndrome, help manage and reduce pain and discomfort associated with medical procedures (e.g., dental surgery), where anesthesia cannot be used effectively.

It is also used to treat chronic pain and psychosomatic problems and counter unhealthy habits that contribute to illness, such as smoking and binge eating.