For Therapists

The most involved form of therapeutic hypnosis is Hypnoanalysis or Medical Hypnosis. This is a form of psychotherapy. In a relaxed hypnotic state the subconscious mind is more accessible. Hypnoanalysis allows the client and therapist to work together at the subconscious level to find the root cause of the problem. Once identified the source of the problem can be resolved at its origin effecting positive and permanent change beyond mere symptom relief.

Often, symptoms are behaviors or responses or mindsets that may have been useful at one time but are no longer serving their original purpose. For example, children often think they are to blame or otherwise misinterpret life events which are actually the responsibility of the adults around them. A child may develop coping behaviors and carry that wrong belief set into adulthood where the symptoms and behaviors are no longer appropriate. Going back to the source memories of those life events while in hypnosis gives the adult the chance to reinterpret the event more appropriately. Once that is accomplished it can be a relatively simple matter to extinguish the symptoms with hypnotic positive reinforcement statements.

Hypnoanalysis differs from traditional “talk” therapy in that much less time is spent talking about how the symptoms affect a person on a daily basis. Therapy time and energy are put into finding and removing the underlying cause of the problem through age regression work. Age regression work means simply remembering the events that first caused the symptoms, understanding the original situation and bringing them to a new light so that true healing can begin. Once the cause is removed the person can begin taking in new, healthy ways of thinking, feeling, acting and being in the world. With the help of carefully designed hypnotic suggestions true change takes place.

Hypnoanalysis is used to successfully treat anxiety, phobias, depression, low self-esteem, fear conditions, sexual/physical/emotional abuse, eating disorders, somatic disorders and other Axis I conditions along with emotional, behavioral, psychological and spiritual issues.

Many people have used hypnosis successfully to manage chronic pain. How does it work?

Pain is a signal from the nervous system to the brain. When in pain muscles tense, not consciously, but as a coping mechanism against pain. This tension magnifies the pain. The secret of pain relief is total relaxation of every muscle. Relaxation of the body also raises the pain threshold. The patient learns to relax to a point of being almost pain free, then gradually lengthens the time spent in this mode.

A second aspect of using hypnosis to manage pain is in the relaxation of the mind. This reduces the anticipation of the pain. A third aspect of pain relief is that putting one’s attention on pain makes it worse. The opposite is also true. The mind can be distracted away from pain. Hypnosis can also help the anxiety and depression that often accompany chronic pain, making it less likely to interfere with life.

Many dentists now use hypnosis to reduce fear and the need for anesthesia. However, in some situations, pain is a warning that something is wrong. This kind of pain needs to be first examined medically. Even then, hypnotic relaxation can be used as a temporary coping method until the underlying causes of pain are assessed and diagnosed.

Medical Hypnoanalysis is a specialized method of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy. It uses hypnosis to help the patient find personalized solutions for the presenting problem. This therapy is dynamic, short term, and directed. It is holistic in that it recognizes the interplay of mind, body and spirit to promote healing.

Medical Hypnoanalysis emphasizes causes rather than symptoms and explanations rather than descriptions to relieve psychological suffering. Hypnosis is an instrument of the preconscious mind. In Medical Hypnoanalysis, hypnosis is coupled with a well-grounded knowledge of the development of psychopathology to identify, process and diminish the negative impact of specific causal events in a client’s personal history. Depression, phobias, obsessions, psychosomatic disorders, self-destructive and anti-social behaviors can be alleviated. Emphasis is placed on a dual diagnosis (underlying and waking modes) against the backdrop of a holistic ordering of life’s priorities.

Hypnoanalysis is a holistic treatment method that addresses the person on all levels: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. It is a brief, directed form of psychotherapy, often accomplished in thirty sessions or less depending on the depth of the problem.

In 1958 the American Medical Association officially approved hypnosis for use in medicine and surgery. Hypnosis is one of the oldest forms of medical therapy dating back to ancient Egypt. Writings dating as far back as 3000 BC describe the use of hypnosis in the treatment of human illness.

Medical Hypnosis or Medical Hypnoanalysis is based on the medical model of taking a history, doing tests, making a diagnosis and providing treatment. “Prescriptions” are suggestions made while in hypnosis specifically designed to treat problems and to help create new ways of thinking, feeling and behaving. While doctors use this powerful, effective tool, this therapy does not use medication or other invasive medical procedures. The term “medical” is an analogy for the medical diagnostic healing process.

The “Academy” is a group of professionals who specialize in Medical Hypnoanalysis. This group is dedicated to the promotion of this unique and effective form of therapy through practice, education, demonstration, and post graduate training opportunities to include:

• “101” and “102” Courses. These courses introduce the use of hypnosis in therapy. Classes are available in several areas around the country.
• Annual AAMH Conferences. A multi-session live demonstration of rapid hypnoanalysis is the focus of the annual conference. Attendance is open to qualified professionals.
• The Clinical Training Program is available to professional therapists who seek specialized training, in-depth knowledge of hypnoanalysis, assistance in incorporating hypnoanalysis into their practice, ongoing consultation, access to referrals, and Board Certification.

AAMH also offers professional hypnotherapy referrals to qualified therapists. For over 30 years the Academy has been the original and exclusive training organization for medical hypnosis and hypnoanalysis.