What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a naturally occurring phenomenon - a deep state of relaxation.
Hypnosis can be used to access the unconscious mind where the software for our behavioral patterns is stored. Through therapeutically formulated suggestions, habits and emotional responses can be reprogrammed - to help people achieve their goals.
Hypnosis is a highly effective treatment for various physical complaints, nervous symptoms and emotional conflicts.
Hypnosis permits deeper psychological work, accessing the source of emotional conflicts in your subconscious mind.
Hypnosis uses behavioral therapy techniques to extinguish unwanted behavioral patterns in the unconscious mind.
Why Hypnotherapy?
The techniques used in hypnotherapy allow a therapist to access a state of mind with a patient in which he or she experiences a heightened focus and awareness.
The deeply relaxed state of mind and body achieved in hypnotherapy allows suggestions to go directly into the unconscious mind.
Hypnotherapy is one of many different psychotherapeutic treatment modalities which can be used in therapy, to address and treat problematic issues or behaviors that interfere with living the life you want to live.
Prior to starting treatment Dr. Sharona does a thorough evaluation with you to make certain hypnosis is appropriate for you and your goals. After completion of the assessment, Dr. Sharona and you will then formulate a treatment plan, clarifying your goals for the hypnosis session(s).
Hypnotherapy may be used as a primary therapeutic technique to treat unwanted behaviors, and to develop and reinforce new, more effective behavioral patterns.
Or, hypnotherapy may be used at different times in an ongoing therapy as a tool to get past unconscious psychological resistance by going to the source of conflicts or problematic behavioral patterns, to release these “stuck patterns.”
The First Appointment
Dr. Sharona offers hypnosis, and hypnotherapy as primary treatment modalities in her professional practice. The use of hypnosis is always by informed consent, and utilized only after the patient has read a disclosure packet containing more detailed information about hypnosis. Her use of hypnosis is strictly for purposes of treatment, and is utilized to enhance the physical and emotional well-being of her patients. For this reason she begins all hypnosis treatment with an individual evaluation, in which she takes a full life history, and a detailed history of the issues you would like to address in hypnosis. In this initial interview Dr. Sharona will develop a comprehensive understanding of who you are as a person, and how hypnosis might improve your current quality of life. During this process she will determine whether hypnosis is the most appropriate treatment modality for you.
To the extent that is possible, Dr. Sharona will discuss with you, what might come up in hypnosis, and will obtain your permission to explore those areas as well as to identify any areas you would prefer not to address in hypnosis. At the conclusion of your first session, Dr. Sharona will discuss with you, your goals for treatment, and will formulate with you specific goals, to move forward in your life.
Dr. Sharona has found hypnosis to be effective in treating a wide range of emotional and physical issues. Her findings have been supported by research (see bibliography). Our memories are stored in our unconscious mind and represented by our five senses. Our auditory, gustatorial, kinesthetic, olfactory and visual senses encode memories which influence formation of our beliefs. Many people are able to state some of their limiting beliefs, the ones which are in their conscious awareness. Most people though are unaware why it is so difficult to change behaviors. Limiting beliefs are supported by deeper structures of underlying beliefs. These layers of beliefs are stored in the unconscious mind, and generally they can not be accessed through self talk, or in traditional “talk therapy.”
Limiting Beliefs Are Rooted in the Unconscious Mind
People often wonder why they consciously understand their difficulties but are unable to change their behavior. The answer is simple, they understand only the top layer of their thoughts, and because of their limited awareness (restricted conscious awareness) they believe this is all there is. When, the truth is our unconscious minds are an enormous repository for encoded memories of every experience we have ever had. When hypnosis is used in treatment it allows us to bypass the resistance (the desire to stay the same so we can be with that which is familiar) and denial systems (“This really is not that big of a problem!”) that get in the way of personal growth and behavioral change.Dr. Sharona Stone has trained at the highest level available in the field of hypnosis, having received a DCH, Doctorate of Clinical Hypnosis. Dr. Sharona is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a practicing psychotherapist who brings her extensive knowledge of human behavior and psychological dynamics to treatment of her patients. Dr. Sharona is a member of the professional hypnosis organization, The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH), which requires all members to be licensed mental health professionals who have trained in hypnosis. She subscribes to the ASCH Code of Conduct.
Hypnosis is helpful in the treatment of many physical, psychological and stress-related illnesses
EMOTIONAL:• Anxiety
• Codependency
• Compulsive Behaviors
• Depression
• Eating Disorders
• Grief and Loss
• Obsessions
• OCD - Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• Panic Disorders
• Phobias
• PTSD - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Emotional Traumas
• Physical Traumas
• Public Speaking
• Self-consciousness
• Self-esteem
• Sexual, Physical, and Emotional Abuse
• Smoking Cessation
• Stress Management
• Study Skills and Test Taking Anxiety
• Victim Patterns
• Weight LossAddictions: Alcohol, Drugs, Food, Relationships, Spending, Smoking, Workaholics
In Dr. Sharona’s experience symptoms of many physical conditions can be decreased in intensity and frequency when treated with hypnosis. Many patients have found they can resume activities which they previously had to curtail because of symptoms. Hypnosis will never be recommended in place of medical treatment; and in fact, Dr. Sharona will request that you sign a Release of Information for your treating physician(s) so she can communicate with them about your care.
PHYSICAL:
• Auto Accident Trauma
• Chronic Pain
• Headaches
• High Blood Pressure
• Insomnia
• In Vitro Enhancement/Support
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Morning Sickness
• Pregnancy
• Preparation for Surgery
• Stuttering/Throat ClearingReferences:
Hypnosis: Trick or Treatment, Jean Callahan, Health: May/June 1997; Balancing Act: “I Lost Weight Through Hypnosis”; Fitness July 2001; The Power of Hypnosis, Psychology Today, Jan/Feb 2001; The Truth and Hype of Hypnosis, Scientific American July 2001; Altered States, Newsweek, Sept 27, 2004
