Hypnosis
Hypnosis is a technique to promote a desired change in behavior and encourage mental and physical well-being, including stress relief, weight loss and smoking cessation. The use of hypnosis for therapeutic purposes is referred to as hypnotherapy, which provides intense focused concentration with partial or complete exclusion of awareness of peripheral phenomenon. Among its clinical uses are the treatment of pain, habit disorders, nausea, relaxation and anxiety. The mental state or set of attitudes is usually induced by a procedure known as a hypnotic induction, which is commonly composed of a series of preliminary instructions and suggestions. Hypnotic suggestions may be delivered by a hypnotist in the presence of the subject, or may be self-administered. A popular misconception is that hypnosis is a form of unconsciousness resembling sleep, but contemporary research suggests that it is actually a wakeful state of focused attention and heightened suggestibility, with diminished peripheral awareness. Please note; in some states there is a distinction for licensing requirements and scope of practice allowance between the practices of hypnosis and hypnotherapy, they are NOT considered the same practice in these select states.