It's a common cliche ... a man swings a pocket watch at the end of a chain, using a deep voice to command "you are getting sleepy, so sleepy. Your arms are heavy, your eyelids are closed. You will never smoke again ...". This is the traditional version of hypnosis, one where an authority figure … Continue reading Milton H Erickson (pt 2)
Category: History
Sometimes episodes in early life shape a person's destiny. Such was the case for Dr. Milton Erickson, a pioneer in hypnotherapy. He was born into a tiny farming community in 1902. Living in a town of around 300 people, his early education was basic. He struggled with dyslexia and was tone deaf. But his world … Continue reading Milton H. Erickson
Like the National Institutes for Health, the American Psychological Association has taken a progressive approach to embracing the research supporting hypnotherapy. They define hypnosis as “a therapeutic technique in which clinicians make suggestions to individuals who have undergone a procedure designed to relax them and focus their minds.” Their Encyclopedia of Psychology then goes on … Continue reading How Hypnotherapy Became A Respected Medical Treatment in the U.S.: Part 2
The timeline for acceptance of hypnotherapy as a valid medical treatment has varied greatly among American professional organizations. In 1995, the renowned National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) Technology Assessment Conference published a statement entitled Integration of Behavioral and Relaxation Approaches Into the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Insomnia. A 12-member panel of professionals in the … Continue reading How Hypnotherapy Became A Respected Medical Treatment in the U.S.: Part 1
Many people mistakenly think of hypnotherapy as a contemporary, “new age” modality. In fact, hypnotherapy has a long history of being accepted by professional medical associations. The British Medical Association (BMA) was one of the first organizations to officially support the use of hypnotherapy, starting with a statement issued as early as 1892. The interest … Continue reading The British Medical Association: An Early Supporter of Hypnotherapy
Father of Modern Hypnotism, James Braid, including his famous induction, is discussed in this brief essay.
In our second installment of hypnosis in history, we discuss the work of Franz Friedrich Anton Mesmer.
In ancient times, hypnosis played a key role in religious ceremonies and healing processes where shaman or a priest would use many different techniques to put a person in a trance like state.