Clinical hypnosis
What is clinical hypnosis?
The word hypnosis derives from the Greek word for “sleep”. However, in clinical hypnosis, the patient is actually in an altered state of consciousness between sleep and wakefulness. With certain stimuli, mental processes are activated and the specialist can treat various psychological disorders such as anxiety and stress.
Why is it done?
Clinical therapy helps the patient to understand, accept and handle situations that cause any type of suffering. It’s not always intended to cure the patient of an illness or unpleasant situation and is sometimes used to alleviate the suffering caused it. By doing so, the patient can improve their ability to cope with the illness or unpleasant situation.
Clinical therapy is used to treat suffering caused by:
- Necessary medical treatments
- Injections
- Transfusions
- Childbirth
- Chronic pain, such as migraine and back pain
- Depression
- Alcohol and tobacco addiction
- Anxiety disorders
- Eating disorders
It can also be used as an anaesthesia in minor dental or surgical procedures.
What does it involve?
During clinical hypnosis therapy, the therapist brings the patient into a hypnotic or trance-like state. They will use words and associations of ideas that will change the patient’s thought patterns or behaviours. The patient's mind and attitude play a key role in the success of this therapy - they must have the desire to participate and be fully guided during the sessions.
Hypnosis through history
By Dr Sue Peacock
2021-12-01
For many people, hypnosis is a magic trick performed by entertainers on TV or on holiday. However, it can also be a powerful tool in the world of pain management. Hypnotism in one form or another has been used throughout history to alleviate pain and suffering of patients with mental, physical, and emotional issues. Dr Sue Peacock gives us a brief history of hypnotism and some of the key figures in its development. See more
What is clinical hypnosis?
By Dr Sue Peacock
2021-11-30
Dr Sue Peacock is a leading health psychologist, and an expert in using clinical hypnosis as a therapeutic tool in her practice. Here she explains how it works and dispels the assumptions surrounding 'hypnosis'. See more
Making safe choices when integrating complementary or alternative therapies into cancer treatment
By Dr Sarah Partridge
2021-11-22
Do you immediately think of self-hypnosis as a complementary cancer therapy? The importance of consulting your medical support team about any alternative treatments you may be considering and the benefits of self-hypnosis as a safe choice in your treatment journey are considered in this informative and interesting article by consultant clinical oncologist Dr Sarah Partridge. See more
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Dr Sue Peacock
PsychologyExpert in:
- Clinical hypnosis
- Cognitive behavioural therapies
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- Insomnia
- Psycho oncology
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