Center for Internal Change, Inc. Mount Prospect, IL 60056
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Hypnosis In Mount Prospect, IL and Northwest Chicago Suburbs. John C Goodman, LCSW, MSOD is certified in hypnosis (hypnotherapy), NLP and EMDR. Hypnotherapy has many applications in a therapeutic setting. I have developed the following applications:
What is Hypnosis and Trance? Hypnosis is a method of communication that induces a trance or a trance-like state. Trance is a naturally occurring state in which one's attention is narrowly focused and heightened. Most of us are in and out of trances all day long. Anyone who is absorbed in a book or a TV program is in a trance. Attention may be focused either internally (e.g. on thoughts, self-talk, feelings and/or images) or externally (e.g. on a task, book, or movie). The narrowed focus of attention allows other stimuli in the environment to be ignored or blocked out of conscious awareness. Examples of trance states are daydreaming, driving a car, watching TV, and some forms of meditation. Remember: You control the process... the therapist is merely your guide. In psychotherapy, hypnosis can be used to help clients go into a relaxed, comfortable, state to facilitate certain therapeutic outcomes. The therapist can make suggestions designed to help the client formulate specific internal processes (feelings, memories, images and self-talk) which will lead to their desired results . The role of the subconscious mind. Like meditation, your goal is to access the subconscious mind. Our subconscious mind lies beneath our ordinary awareness. Amazing strengths lie beneath the conscious world. Your subconscious mind remembers everything and can transmit creative solutions to problems. Those processes or events we call intuition, creativity, and wisdom, are often the work of the subconscious mind entering into our conscious awareness. Trance induction often begins by going into a state of deep, calm or relaxation. Trance is not the same as relaxation (an athlete pushing himself to the limits of endurance is in a deep state of trance) but it is true that most people are able to achieve a much deeper state of calm and peace in the trance state than out of it. Once in that state the mind is better able to accept suggestions directly concerned with a particular area . Hypnotherapy can work well for the treatment of anxiety. As anxiety takes many forms, hypnosis can be usefully applied to a wide variety of conditions. Smoking, substance abuse, and overeating are the common ways of trying to alleviate feelings of anxiety, so it is not surprising that hypnotherapy is well known for it's effectiveness in those areas. But there are many others, beginning in childhood with anxiety-induced behaviors like bed-wetting and nail-biting, and so on into later life disturbances up to and including drug and alcohol abuse (though it is important to realize that once those have taken hold, they present a biochemical problem as well as psychological). Phobic conditions are obvious manifestations of anxiety and hypnotherapy has been affective in this area too. Also, it has long been recognized that many physical conditions have a psychological component. Asthma is an obvious example. Skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, etc. are others. It is possible for these conditions to be psychological. And even when the condition is physical in origin, it is often exaggerated or even triggered by anxiety, so that hypnotherapy can be a useful adjunct to medical treatment. Frequently, of course, suggestion in itself is not enough because there are underlying reasons for the problem. Sometimes these need to be made conscious; sometimes they can be processed at an unconscious level. Either way, hypnotherapy can be very useful provided that the hypnotherapist has the appropriate psychotherapeutic skills to deal with these issues. I believe it is important that you choose a therapist who is trained in psychotherapy, not merely in the induction of trance states. In some areas, such as pain control, depth of trance is important, but for most purposes the level of trance is a good deal less important than the accuracy of the suggestions. A correct suggestion given in a light trance will be beneficial. An inept suggestion given in a very deep trance may be ignored or may cause undesired results. Misconceptions This is not mind control or brainwashing. A hypnotherapist is a psychotherapist who uses hypnosis as a means of accessing the subconscious mind. It is a tool to communicative and gently and positively influence clients towards their desired outcomes. Hypnosis cannot cause anyone to do something against their will or that contradicts their values. A qualified hypnotherapist is ethically bound to make only those suggestions that facilitate agreed-upon outcomes. Also, clients are not receptive to suggestions that are not consistent with their morals or values and therefore will not follow them. During trance, the client is not immobilized. You know exactly where you are the entire time. You can adjust your position, scratch, sneeze, or cough. You can open your eyes and bring yourself out of trance at any time you wish. During trance, you can still hear sounds around you, like a phone ringing. You can respond to any circumstance that needs your immediate attention. You remain oriented as to person, place, and time. You can even hold a conversation in trance. There is no “correct” way to experience trance. One may experience it as a deep, heavy restful feeling, while another may experience it as a light, floating sensation. Some people hear every word spoken by the therapist, while others allow their minds to drift to other thoughts. Some experience vivid imagery, others do not. Some remember what they heard and some do not. Risks and Precautions Although there are very few risks it may be contraindicated for individuals with certain medical problems, or who are actively abusing drugs or alcohol, or who are delusional or hallucinatory. It should not be used for physical problems, unless the client has first consulted a physician to determine underlying physical causes. Hypnosis is often requested for the purpose of uncovering childhood memories. Hypnosis may or may not work in this regard. Note: when memories do surface, the client may have a "false memory" and there is no guarantee that such memories are accurate or based on reality. Sometimes after a session the client may feel somewhat disoriented. The therapist and the client can work together to make sure the client is fully alert and energized sufficiently to leave the therapist's office and continue the day's activity. In very rare cases, after a session, and client may experience mildly disturbing thoughts or feelings. If this happens, the client should call the therapist immediately for a follow-up session. Call or Write NOW to change your life for yourself and those you care about. John C Goodman, LCSW, MSW, MSOD (847) 259-0005 Mt. Prospect, IL Near Chicago, Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, Palatine, Northbrook, Northfield, Deerfield, Prospect Heights, Glenview, and Schaumburg Illinois. Center for Internal Change, Inc. recommends the following:
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