Clinical Hypnosis
Clinical Hypnosis utilizes trance in the clinical setting. This treatment modality is often used in the context of Health Psychology in which the therapist is treating a range of stress related psychological disorders that manifest physiologically.The Clinical Setting requires that the practitioner has been clinically trained to treat psychological issues. Health insurance can be used to treat psychological issues that meet the criteria of the APA Diagnostic-Statistics Manual IV.
The Ericksonian or Utilization Approach in Clinical Hypnosis is effective owing to the series of agreements that the client and therapist arrange. The client agrees to seek help via going into trance. The clinician honors this agreement by facilitating change, while utilizing the communications given by the client. Rather than controlling the client, the hypnotherapist and client work together to effect adaptive change.
Dr. Hancox is respected internationally as a Short Term/Solution Oriented and Structured Cognitive Behavioral Therapist as well as Ericksonian trained Clinical Hypnotherapist.
Consultations are conducted in English, French, Spanish or Portuguese.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is hypnosis?
- Hypnosis is a series of agreements between the participant and hypnotist that induces a state of focused awareness and desire to learn outside one's conscious awareness.
- Will I lose control?
- Hypnosis is a choice of focus, rather than a loss of control. The participant chooses not to respond to unnecessary stimuli. The hypnotist sustains the connection, sparks a non-verbal dialogue and reminds the participant of the road back to external awareness.
- Can hypnosis be used for memory retrieval?
- Sometimes, but it is not recommended. For forensic purposes, retrieved memory during a hypnotic session is not admissible in court. "Implanted" memory can occur if the hypnotist asks leading questions or makes leading statements. "Digging for Treasure" is not a clinical issue, nor useful in Coaching or Consulting.
- Can I see a hypnotist for a specific issue while engaged in therapy with another clinician?
- Some people do see a non-clinical hypnotist, for smoking cessation for example, while in therapy. Given that all we do and express in our lives is interconnected, it is inevitable that the issue to be addressed by the hypnotist is connected to the ongoing therapy. Additionally, two psychotherapists treating the same person may cause confusion and unneeded distress in the client. Therefore, Dr. Hancox does not function as an auxiliary therapist or co-therapist.
- What is the difference between stage hypnosis and clinical hypnosis?
- The difference is the setting and motive of the participant. Stage hypnosis capitalizes on the participants' desire behave in an uninhibited manner publicly. Clinical hypnosis focuses on the patient's desire to learn to do things differently in a respectful setting.
- Is clinical hypnosis appropriate for everyone?
- The clinical hypnotherapist conducts an evaluation of each client to determine if clinical hypnosis is the most useful method for treating his or her distress. If a client is not a good candidate for this procedure, they will be told so and thus other methods of treatment will be pursued. 'Hypnotizability' is not the determining factor; the overall clinical picture determines the modality of treatment.
- What is trance?
- Light trance is a common occurrence that we engage in daily; focusing awareness on a creative effort, or work project, with no awareness of the passage of time. Driving a car while automatically shifting, turning the wheel, taking the correct exit while attending to thoughts or traffic; dancing; playing sports; courting, and so on.
Deeper trance is a focused state of internal awareness. Some liken it to meditation or deep relaxation that excludes unnecessary external stimuli. Interestingly enough, many people state they do not hear the voice of the hypnotist, but do stay connected to the sound, cadence and words unconsciously, which allows them to reorient to the consultation room in a timely manner. The participant accepts that which is relevant, stores that which may be useful at a later time and discards that which is no longer needed. - What is self-hypnosis?
- Self -hypnosis a purposeful use of trance designed to induce a deeper state of relaxation. Your focus on internal processes - such as breathing, releasing muscle tension or attending to the images in your mind - facilitates the learning process and receptivity to solutions. Guided imagery is one means of self-hypnosis. For the active learner, Dr. Hancox has developed Virtual Walking™ as a movement-oriented method for self-hypnosis.
