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Frequently Asked Questions
What is hypnosis? * Olness, Karen, M.D., and Kohen, Daniel P., M.D., Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy with Children, The Gulford Press, 1996. What is clinical hypnosis? ** From Yapko, Michael D., 2003. Trancework: An Introduction to the Practice of Clinical Hypnosis (3rd Edition) Clinical hypnosis is a remarkable tool that can be used with or without medications to treat: • warts How does clinical hypnosis work? The images are always positive, never negative. For example, one might tell oneself, “I will no longer feed the warts,” or “I am pain-free,” or some other positive suggestion. By practicing these techniques several times a day, patients can help themselves get better. For example, some patients with warts who visualize the blood vessels constricting at the sites of the warts actually feel tingling at those sites-and the warts themselves disappear after a few weeks. Ultimately, all hypnosis is self-hypnosis. What is a trance? Trance is not sleep. In trance, you can communicate and use your mind to consciously control your body. In trance: What is the difference between clinical hypnosis and biofeedback? In trance, the more focused the mind, the more relaxed the body. This causes the breathing to slow and the heart rate, or pulse, to decrease. Blood pressure also decreases and the skin temperature increases. Biofeedback computer programs help patients learn to relax; patients can actually
watch their pulse, respiratory rate, and/or skin temperature change as they view
the monitor. What is the difference between a hypnotist and a hypnotherapist? A Hypnotist: A clinical hypnotherapist… What is hypnotherapy? * From Olness, Karen, M.D., and Kohen, Daniel P., M.D., Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy with Children, The Gulford Press, 1996. How does hypnosis work with children? When children use their imagination, they are in trance. We simply help them to help themselves by harnessing the power of their own minds. When we do trance work with children, we guide them into a special place, someplace where they feel happy, safe, comfortable, etc., and then help them to work on their specific problem. In a trance, a child: *From Olness, Karen, M.D., and Kohen, Daniel P., M.D., Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy with Children, The Gulford Press, 1996. What if my child goes into trance and cannot come out of it? When people are in trance, they feel wonderful, and sometimes patients are not in a hurry to return to their usual state of mind. Dr. Lazarus has had extensive training not only in guiding people into trance, but also in helping them return from trance. Dr. Lazarus also teaches patients to return to their usual state of mind. When patients practice self-hypnosis alone, they will always return to their usual state of mind. Because trance is so relaxing, occasionally, patients may fall asleep while in trance. Upon awakening, they will once again be in their usual state of mind. Who is a candidate for clinical hypnosis? What are the benefits of clinical hypnosis for children? Will the doctor control my child's mind? Medical hypnotherapy is very different than stage hypnosis, and from the kind of hypnosis that is shown in children's cartoons. Stage hypnotists are highly trained people who know how to put on a good show. They typically ask for volunteers from the audience, call several people onstage, and, after talking with them briefly, send all but a few back into the audience. At this time, the hypnotist may tell the remaining subjects that they were chosen because they are smarter than the people who were asked to leave. This further (falsely) enhances their self-esteem and makes them even more willing to do what the hypnotist suggests. These individuals are often willing to do silly things ¾ bark like a dog or cluck like a chicken, for example- for reasons that the rest of us may not understand. Afterwards, they may say, “Oh, I can't believe I actually did that!” Yet, at some level, they were willing to do these things.** However, if a stage hypnotist were to tell a subject, “Take this gun and go rob the corner store,” the subject would not do it. No one will ever do anything he or she is unwilling to do- even while in trance. The truth is that people will never do anything that they don't want to do, even while in a state of trance. As Dr. Lazarus explains to patients, “I can teach you to hypnotize yourself, and I can teach other patients to hypnotize themselves, but the only person that I can hypnotize is myself.” ** After Yapko, Michael D., 2003. Trancework: An Introduction to the Practice of Clinical Hypnosis (3rd Edition) Are there any side effects to clinical hypnosis? How long does it take to learn self-hypnosis? In learning any new skill, one can improve one's ability by working with an instructor or coach, and by practicing. The more one practices, the better one learns the skill. Like a coach, Dr. Lazarus teaches his patients a powerful technique. It is up to the patients to practice it. How can I help my child do even better at self-hypnosis? Studies indicate that the less the parents are involved, the more effective the treatment. So, as a parent, you are asked to do the exact opposite of what you've done the child's entire life: you must not get involved ! For example, if your child has an ear infection or a strep throat, you give the child his/her medication twice a day, or remind the child to take the medication. With clinical hypnosis, it is ALL up to the patient. You must refrain from asking, “Are you doing your homework?” or “Are you practicing the exercises?” As a parent, this can be very difficult to do, since you love your child and want to help him/her. Dr. Lazarus often uses humor to encourage parents to “stay out of it.” If you forget once in awhile, we let it slide. But if you keep bothering your child, then, of course, we have to punish you! Typical suggestions for punishment include: no dessert that night, or no television that night, or, you have to go to bed early that night! How often do you see the patients? How soon can we expect results? If patients are not ready to learn this technique on the first visit, Dr. Lazarus will encourage them to return when they are ready. Some patients need additional therapy or counseling, for example, from a psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker. If the child is otherwise emotionally well, and if the families are “no more dysfunctional than the rest of us,” as Dr. Lazarus jokes, then dramatic improvement is possible after two or three visits. For bio-behavioral problems, one can never predict how long change will take. That is why Dr. Lazarus screens patients carefully, and why it is extremely important for the family to answer all of his questions openly and honestly. Is clinical hypnosis covered by my insurance? How much does it cost? There is no charge for phone calls. Because he feels it is important to provide personal, individualized service, Dr. Lazarus does not use e-mail to communicate with patients and parents. How do I get started? |
Jeffrey E. Lazarus, MD |
