Frequently-Asked Questions about the Therapies and Treatments used at Seattle Changes. We specialize in treating fear, anxiety, trauma, pain, and addictive behaviors with natural, noninvasive, drug-free treatments that target the body’s own healing system to bring about rapid, pleasant, and permanent change experiences. Milton H. Erickson M.D. Ericksonian Hypnotherapy Frequently-Asked Questions FAQ about NLP from Seattle Changes Pioneer Square Neuro-Linguistic Programming Non-Invasive Natural Drug-Free Treatment Questions Answered Resources FAQ Cure Phobias Fear Anxiety Depression Addiction Problems Pain Obsessive Behaviors Rage Trauma Guilt Anger Stress Self-Sabotage Stop Smoking Cessation Become a Non-Smoker Fear Obsession Cravings

Home

Our Therapies

What Conditions Do We Treat?

TFT Questions Answered

NLP Questions Answered

Hypnosis Questions Answered

What Others Are Saying

Become a Non-Smoker

Resources

Contact Seattle Changes

Seattle Changes, Pioneer Building, Seattle

Seattle Changes is located in the historic Pioneer Building
Seattle Changes - Natural, Drug-Free Therapy for Body and Mind

Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy

What is trance?
What is hypnosis?
Is Hynotherapy the same thing as psychotherapy?
Is Hynotherapy Effective?
Will I be unconscious during trance?

Is hypnosis safe?
Can I be hypnotized against my will?
Will I have control during hypnosis?
What kinds of changes can hypnosis help me with?

What if I can’t be hypnotized?

What is Trance?
Trance is a natural state of focused attention that we go into and out of dozens of times every day. Every time we focus on a book, a TV show, a movie, or an interesting conversation, we enter a natural trance state - a state of focussing on fewer things more completely than in other states of consciousness.

What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is the process of guiding someone into a trance state, usually for a specific purpose of helping them accomplish something in their life. In trance, your unconscious mind is more easily able to access its own natural resources for change and healing.

Is Hynotherapy the same thing as psychotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is a process of guiding your unconscious mind to discover and create new solutions and new strategies for effective and lasting change. Unlike traditional talk therapies, it’s not necessary in hypnotherapy to discuss your past at length. Using the resources you already have (though you may not yet be aware that you have them), and the truly awesome power contained in your own mind and body, hypnotherapy can help you create a brighter and freer future regardless of what has happened in the past.

Is hypnotherapy effective?
Hypnotherapy has been proven effective in many studies over many years for all kinds of emotional problems, in creating new habits, breaking old compulsions, and learning to live a life of expanded choice and freedom. Even physical conditions can be positively affected by hypnotherapy, especially those that are caused or worsened by stress.

Will I be unconscious during trance?
Unconsciousness and trance are completely different states of brain activity. You’ll be able to hear and feel and understand everything that goes on around you during trance. You’ll be in a state of deep relaxation and focus. Part of your unconscious mind is always “on call” to protect you from any danger, and if you need to return to normal consciousness you’ll be able to do so quickly, and be awake and alert.

Is hypnosis safe?
Like watching TV or reading a good book, a trance state is natural, completely safe, and easy to go into and come out of. You’ll be completely aware of everything that happens while feeling relaxed and rested.

Can I be hypnotized against my will?
Hypnosis can’t be forced on someone - no-one enters a trance state unless they’re ready and willing to do so. We believe a good hypnotherapist will guide you into a trance, not attempt to impose one on you.

Will I have control during hypnosis?
You are always in control during trance. You’ll be conscious, but deeply relaxed and focused, and you can return to your pre-hypnotized state any time you want to, and remember everything that occurred while you were in a trance state.

What kinds of problems will hypnosis help me with?
See this page for a list of problems that are commonly treated with hypnotherapy

What if I can’t be hypnotized?
The notion that some people can’t be hypnotized, or that some people are more “hypnotizable” or “suggestible” than others is not one we subscribe to at Seattle Changes. It's true that going into a trance becomes easier the more you do it, and if a person can focus enough to watch a movie, read a book, or play a video game, they can enter trance.

Seattle Changes Pioneer Square TFT Thought Field Therapy NLP Neuro-Linguistic Programming Hypnosis Ericksonian Hypnotherapy Non-Invasive Natural Drug-Free Treatment Cure Phobias Fear Anxiety Depression Addiction Problems Pain Obsessive Behaviors Rage, Trauma Guilt Anger Stress Self-Sabotage Smoking Cessation Become a Non-Smoker Milton H. Erickson M.D. Ericksonian Hypnotherapy
Call Seattle Changes for an Appointment Today
Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy at Seattle Changes

Milton Erickson, M.D. and Ericksonian Hypnosis

Milton Erickson, M.D. (1901-1980) is considered by many hypnotherapists to be the father of modern methods of hypnosis. Unlike earlier “authoritarian” hypnotists, Erickson introduced the idea of hypnosis as a cooperative state between a hypnotist and a client. His methods of indirect suggestion and the his belief inherent ability of everyone to be hypnotized did more to modernize hypnosis and make it accepted by the medical profession in his 40 years of psychiatric practice than had been done in the entire century leading up to his work.

Paralyzed by Polio at 17, young Milton entertained himself by observing his six siblings and amassing an amazing knowledge of human physchology. He endured great hardships and put himself through trials of strength and will to learn to walk again, and decided to return to school and become a doctor. He specialized in psychiatry, and was a legend in his own time for the ways in which he used hypnosis - which had been largely overlooked by 20th century western medicine - to successfully treat people’s problems in very few visits. He was known for giving his patients quests and trials that brought their own unconscious wisdom to the fore and helped them get over their problems quickly.

Erickson was one of the master communicators modelled by Richard Bandler and John Grinder in the 1970s when they were discovering the principles that would underlie Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). Erickson’s then-revolutionary approach to therapeutic changework, his extraordinary sensory acuity, and his masterful use of hypnotic language, made him possibly more influential than any other individual in the development of NLP.

Bridget McKenna, CHt - NLP Master Practitioner

Home ~ What Conditions Do We Treat? ~ TFT Questions Answered ~ NLP Questions Answered ~ Hypnosis Questions Answered Our Therapies ~ What Others Are Saying ~ Become a Non-Smoker ~ Resources ~ Contact Seattle Changes ~


All site content copyright© 2007, 2008 Seattle Changes, all rights reserved

This page last updated 2008 20 September
Certified Hypnotherapist Hypnotherapy Hypnosis