Hypnosis Milton Erickson UW Wisconsin Home Care Path

Hypnosis has been sought out for a helpful therapy since the time of ancient Egypt. Ancient Egyptian healers spoke and laid hands on persons who rested in the temple of sleep. Today we know helpful hypnosis does not involve sleep. When a person is in a hypnotic trance, the body is totally relaxed, but the mind is alert and highly focused.

Milton Erickson (1901-1980) a University of Wisconsin Psychology student became a popular leader of hypnosis therapy. Milton Erickson facilitated the therapist's technique which acted on the individual's character and needs. Milton Erickson established indirect, permissive techniques using language allowing the person to become part of a two way process. The person effectively put themselves in to a trance with the help of the therapist.

In hypnosis the conscious or critical mind is bypassed or distracted. This allows the ever present unconscious or subconscious mind to dominate in the state we call hypnotic trance. The unconscious mind is the residence of beliefs, imagination, fears, and associations. Influence the unconscious mind and you change the unconscious reactions to the world around you. During the trance state of hypnosis changes are suggested to the unconscious mind, which then acts upon these suggestions.

Hypnosis is successfully employed to overcome phobia's, reduce pain sensation, reduce anxiety with exams, and improve athletic performance. With a nervous hair pulling habit the hypno-therapist will explore the under lying tendency to worry and suggest a more positive outlook during the trance. To treat phobia's the person will be brought back (regressed) to the time the phobia first developed. Finding the original memory (now consciously forgotten) of the experience that triggered the phobia. Being consciously aware of the trigger can often be enough to remove the phobia. To treat addictions often the trance suggestions will focus on the benefits of say non smoking, like improved taste and more money.

Jackie Kennedy Onassis (1929-1994) participated in hypno-therapy to relive and let go of the tragic events in her life. The process of confronting past events that have contributed to fear during hypnotic trance can help the person come to terms with the experiences. This can bring the person to a more comfortable place in their life.

Source: Hypnosis Secrets of The Mind By Michael Streeter