Description of a Session
A good history taking is required along with fully adequate clinical skills before the hypnosis begins. The practitioner should have a soothing, calming voice when doing the hypnosis. The patient will probably be seated on a comfortable couch or chair in a softly lit, quiet, carpeted office. Lights and sounds should not in any way interfere with the hypnotic response. The patient will be able to hear and see although it is recommended that clients begin by closing their eyes. The patient will not act silly or do strange things, will not reveal secrets or anything personal, and will not do anything that they do not want to do. Their mind will be strengthened but change will not occur unless the patient wants it to. Breathing will have slowed down and there sometimes is a pulse rate change, blood pressure change and a rapid eye movement along with other bodily changes. Usually, there is no touching in trance. In trance, you will be able to immerse yourself in your own thoughts and feelings. Most people find hypnosis sessions relaxing and often feel quite refreshed afterwards. Some practitioners will make a tape of the trance work for practice at home to accelerate the change. The treatment can be used as an adjunct to psychotherapy.

Course of Treatment
It is usually short term in nature and could take from one single session, more likely a series of sessions, to one year to complete treatment.

Side Effects
Patients generally feel more relaxed and comfortable post trance. However, it is possible for emotional material to surface as a result of working in hypnosis which should be addressed in the therapy. Sometimes patients experience resistance to the process of hypnosis for various reasons and the therapist must be sensitive to any issues involved.

Safety Issues
Hypnosis is a very safe and effective method for learning new behaviors. However, when working on the removal of an undesirable behavioral pattern, such as smoking, it may become necessary to look at the surrounding issues that could underlie that particular behavior/symptom. Therefore it is important that the patient works together with a trained therapist who is able to discuss and work through these types of issues.

Other Modalities that Work Well with Hypnosis
Hypnosis is an adjunct to the practice of medicine, dentistry, psychology – it is never an end or a panacea. Hypnosis itself cures nothing.

Content last modified on Sep 4, 2003