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Build the Life You Want With Hypnotherapy

By: Mary M. Vallei, CCHt

If you had the power to bring lasting positive change into your life and build your life the way you want it to be, would you do so? If you answered yes, then you need to know that this power already lies within you and building the life you want is already within you. And hypnotherapy is a tool that may show you how.

Most of us experience crises and anxiety at sometime in our lives. Crises hijack your life. Anxiety interferes with your life. You can let these overwhelm your life or you can take control of them.

Hypnotherapy is a safe, easy, quick, and effective technique that helps you build a positive mind-body connection and gain the resources and strength to create a well, balanced, and happy life for yourself.

Hypnotherapy is an approved, widely recognized, complementary tool for both adults and children. It is approved by the International Medical and Dental Associations, the American Medical Association, and the American Psychiatric Association. The American and the British Medical Associations adopted hypnotherapy as a viable complementary therapeutic tool in 1958, and has been recommending it since that time.

Hypnosis is a natural state that we have all experienced in everyday life. Anytime we daydream, drive on autopilot, meditate or practice other relaxation techniques, we are in a hypnotic state. Hypnotherapy is different in that one makes a choice to enter into a deep state of relaxation in order to focus concentration and use suggestion to promote health, healing, achievement of goals, personal growth and fulfillment, discover and change negative thoughts and patterns, and more. Anytime a person is in a hypnotic state, that person is always in control. No one can make you do, or think, anything you do not want to do or think. The Hypnotherapist guides the process and teaches the techniques. You are the only person who can hypnotize yourself. So, in reality, all hypnosis is self-hypnosis.

Hypnotherapy creates a mind and body connection that makes change, growth, and healing possible. In a deep state of relaxation, the conscious and subconscious minds become free to connect and communicate.

The process is simple. The number of sessions required is not the same for all people, even those with similar problems. Some people achieve their desired goal in one session. Others take more time. This is really up to each individual to determine as the process unfolds.

The Hypnotherapist, works in concert with the client, asks questions to understand what you want to change or achieve, what you expect and believe, and your motivation. Next the Hypnotherapist works with you to frame a positive suggestion and develop a visualization to communicate what you want to achieve to your subconscious mind. Then the Hypnotherapist will use guided imagery, visualization, and other techniques to create and deliver positive suggestions and messages to the conscious and subconscious. By receiving the same message the conscious and subconscious minds connect. It is this special connection that can empower the client to successfully change and grow. The Hypnotherapist also teaches you how to practice self-hypnosis so you can continue the process anytime throughout your life.

Hypnotherapy is applied to numerous medical issues, including pain management, surgery preparation, autoimmune diseases, cancer, and childbirth to name a few. It is also used to help with emotional health issues; creativity and education; athletic motivation, performance; and even business focus.

When you choose a hypnotherapist there are a number of things to remember. There are many specialties for hypnotherapy. All hypnotherapists follow basically the same processes. However, most hypnotherapists specialize in particular areas. Some focus on health and wellness issues, others focus on spiritual healing. Still others provide emergency crisis relief, phobias, anxiety and stress relief, smoking cessation, or weight issues. Whatever your issue, ask the hypnotherapist if that is an area in which they can provide the help you need. Other things to know include:

• The hypnotherapist should have received training in this field. If the hypnotherapist has attended a school of hypnotherapy, make sure this school is accredited by the state in which the school operates.

• There are several professional organizations which test and credential hypnotherapists. Find out what group the hypnotherapist belongs to and what was needed in order to receive the credentials. Among the leading organizations are the International Medical and Dental Hypnotherapy Associations, the American Association of Hypnotist Examiners, the National Guild and the Society of Clinical Hypnotherapists.

• Decide for yourself if you feel a connection with the hypnotherapist. This is very important for the hypnotherapy to be effective. If you feel comfortable with your choice, your experience will be better.

• Be sure to understand the fees up front. Good hypnotherapists will provide you with a disclosure form explaining the fees, process, and your rights as a client. Be sure to ask for this form. If the hypnotherapist does not provide this, it is probably wiser to seek another hypnotherapist.

• Remember that the hypnotherapist is there to teach and guide you on how to connect with your mind-body healing power that you already possess. The hypnotherapist does not heal or fix you. Watch out if someone promises to do that.

Hypnotherapy is a safe, easy way to empower you to take charge of your life, reprogram old behavior patterns, and create more productive and successful living. You can learn to realize and sustain new visions for how you want to live. You can apply the skills of hypnotherapy to any situation you encounter throughout your life.

Mary M. Vallei is a graduate of the Colorado School of Counseling Hypnotherapy in Longmont, CO and the founder and prinicpal hypnotherapist of the Hypnotherapy Center for Positive Change, and active multi-state practice in Colorado, Michigan, New Mexico, and Seattle.  She is a member of the International Medical and Dental Hypnotherapy Association, the American Society of Hypnotist Examiners, and the Colorado Association of Psychotherapists.  In Michigan, she conducts her practice at the Authentic Living Center in Troy, MI.