Hypnosis is a natural but altered state of awareness. It is an intensely focused relaxation of the mind. When you are in a trance you have a very narrow focus of concentration. We have all experienced this while watching an exciting movie and oblivious to everything around us and our heart rate goes up. Or when we have driven somewhere and are turning the car of and realize we have no memory of how we reached our destination because our mind was in a trance.
Hypnotherapy is a process of tapping into the subconscious mind in order to address preprogrammed or hidden issues. Within this process we are able to resolve old misconceptions and/or plant new suggestions for health and happiness directly into the subconscious mind.
The mind can be likened to an iceberg, with approximately 12% of the mind being on the conscious level, what we are aware of, and approximately 88% being on the subconscious level, that which is hidden or below the surface. Hypnosis allows us to open the doors to the subconscious mind to facilitate change.
The word hypnosis often evokes the idea of someone having control over someone else. Actually, in hypnotherapy the opposite is true. A hypnotherapist guides you to having more control over your own life. While in session, you could open your eyes and walk out the door if you wanted to, but you choose to participate in trance because it feels wonderful in the present moment, and you know that it will bring positive outcomes for your future.
During your first session we will discuss your needs, goals and dreams, and then usually do hypnotherapy for overall relaxation and wellbeing. After this, Mary will design your next session, customized specifically for meeting your desires.
Some individuals come in for three sessions, some for six sessions, depending on the issues. After the presenting problem is resolved, some choose to work on another concern. Often, clients choose to come in once per month, or every other month, or even once every three months for further fine tuning. It really is up to you.
-William James-