Shedding light on hypnosis

I am a hypnotherapist and have noticed an increase in interest in hypnosis among Singaporeans ever since the airing of TV drama Against The Tide, which features a psychiatrist who uses hypnosis to understand the psyche of sociopathic criminals and their victims.

The show is highly dramatic, associating the use of hypnosis with gruesome crimes, traumatic events, deep fears and the intense, dark sides of humankind. Other films or shows also tend to portray hypnosis as something mysterious, unfathomable or even dangerous.

From the inquiries I have received, there seems to be a lack of awareness of how hypnosis is being used by qualified practitioners.

In fact, hypnosis allows an individual to tap the natural resources in his subconscious mind to make positive changes. It can be used to help a person overcome phobias, give up bad habits such as smoking, manage stress, cope with grief or loss, build confidence and self- esteem, and increase focus and motivation, among other things.

In short, hypnosis can be used to help everyday people with everyday problems.

Also, the process of undergoing hypnosis in a therapeutic setting is not typically as intense as what is portrayed in TV shows. It is usually relaxing and promotes the overall well-being of an individual.

Most people respond positively to hypnosis and can benefit significantly from it.

Erin Lee (Ms)

This article was first published on Oct 26, 2014.
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