• February 22, 2011
• 0
• by robin

Altered States, Part 1

Hypnosis is an altered state, a deep sense of relaxation, engendered in the context of feelings of safety and security created in the hypnosis experience between patient and therapist. Unconscious states of mind become receptive to dialogue and influence. During this process, those critical and fearful voices that tell us that we can’t change or that we will fail are relaxed, and we are more open to new possibilities and trust in the wisdom of the unconscious. As we know, the mind, brain and body are so interconnected as to be one entity. During hypnosis, the illusory delineation between these functions is erased and there is a seamless interpenetration and influence between them. Thus, hypnotic suggestions spoken to the mind, brain and body, create changes in the nervous system. Anxiety is particularly responsive to hypnosis treatment, as there is such a clear and deep intermeshing of body, mind and brain in the symptoms and experience– the accelerated heartbeat, the circular thinking, the sweating, the hyperventilation, and the feelings of fearful entrapment. There are many other concerns that can be addressed by hypnosis as well, which we will cover later…..