Hypnotherapy, Clinical Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Training from board certified hynotherapists in North Wales, Pennsylvania: Medical Hypnotherapy Associates with Dr. Patricia Jennings

Since the 3rd century, hypnosis has continued to be one of the most powerful therapeutic tools available. There are several types of hypnosis, each with specific uses. Hypnotherapy is Psychotherapy under hypnosis. Hypnoanalysis is Psychoanalysis under hypnosis. Hypnoanalgesia and Hypnoanesthesia are for pain. Pediatric, Geriatric and Depth Hypnosis are other sub-specialities.

Whether you are seeking behavior modification or pain relief, hypnosis is a safe and effective answer to most of today's problems.

At Medical Hypnotherapy Associates, we believe in personal, caring attention. All sessions with Dr. Pat Jennings are:

Some of the specific conditions we treat with hypnotherapy include:

Medical Hypnosis uses concentrated attention to engage the power of the unconscious mind and focus and direct it toward the accomplishment of a specific goal.

Through specific relaxation techniques hypnosis causes changes in the central nervous system to produce a trance state which facilitates access to the unconscious levels of the mind. The trance state is a state of deep relaxation in which the conscious mind becomes less dominant and the unconscious takes over. Since the unconscious mind controls and directs all behavior, once such direct access is achieved, the therapist can "reprogram" the patients's computer brain to bring about the desired change, be that elimination of pain, discarding an unwanted habit or behavior, or any other therapeutic application. It is perfectly safe and natural.

There are seven levels of trance depth with lighter levels preferred for Behavior Modification and deeper levels required for Pain Management and Hypnoanalysis. In the lighter levels, you remain aware of your surroundings and may communicate with the therapist using speech or motor signals.

Hypnosis has been used in every medical specialty including Forensic Medicine. Prior to the use of chemical anesthesia, hypnosis was the primary anesthesia for surgery and is still often used today on request or when chemical anesthesia is contraindicated.

Some of the more common misconceptions of Medical Hypnosis and Hypnosis in general are:

1. HYPNOSIS IS LIKE SLEEP.
Brain waves of a hypnotized person are more like one concentrating intensely than one who is asleep and numerous other physiological measurements prove that hypnosis is actually the opposite of sleep. It is a state of intense concentration, not relaxation. In hypnosis the physical body is relaxed, but the mind is hyperactive and focused.

2. I WILL LOSE CONTROL DURING HYPNOSIS.
The belief that the patient "surrenders his will" to the therapist and is totally under his control, often called the "Svengali Effect", is a myth that is fostered by the media and stage hypnotists. It is totally untrue. Hypnosis is an enhancement of your own awareness and an increased focusing of your own concentration. The patient, not the therapist, is in control. It is impossible to make a person do something under hypnosis that is against his moral code.

3. I WILL REVEAL EMBARRASSING INFORMATION OR SECRETS.
Many people fear revealing private information during hypnosis. This fear is unfounded for two reasons. The hypnotized subject speaks only in Regression or Hypnoanalysis and, further, the subject is always in control.

4. I WILL NOT AWAKEN FROM HYPNOSIS.
Some people fear not being able to be brought out of the trance state at the conclusion of the session. This is unfounded as the patient is in control of his own trance and can terminate the trance at any time.

5. HYPNOSIS IS DANGEROUS.
The use of hypnosis by trained professionals is not dangerous at all. However, no one should allow himself to be hypnotized by one who lacks appropriate training as, in such cases, difficulties can occur. This is why stage hypnosis is often dangerous. An untrained hypnotist lacks the training to deal with repressed information that may be revealed and often phrases suggestions carelessly, causing additional difficulties or worsening the condition. There is a big difference between a hypnotist and a hypnotherapist.

6. WILL I BE UNCONSCIOUS DURING HYPNOSIS?
Many patients fear losing consciousness during the trance state. While the level of trance may fluctuate from lighter stages to deeper stages throughout the session, part of the mind remains aware and alert at all times. Under hypnosis, you are not unconscious. You are in a heightened state of awareness and are focusing on a single stimuli to the virtual exclusion of all other stimuli, hence, the appearance of being "unconscious" .

7. WHAT IF I'M RESISTANT TO HYPNOSIS?
Like other psychotherapies, hypnotherapy must occasionally deal with "patient resistance". When something is too painful for the conscious mind to deal with, it blocks it from conscious awareness. However, this knowledge remains very active and potent beneath the surface at an unconscious level. Attempts to reveal the information cause the ego to call up various defense mechanisms to protect the conscious mind from the traumatic awareness. Therapists with an advanced degree in Clinical Hypnotherapy (certification is NOT an equivalent) are trained to deal with patient resistance and to employ specific resistance techniques.