Clinical Hypnosis
The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis defines hypnosis as follows:
“Hypnosis is a state of inner absorption, concentration and focused attention. It is like using a magnifying glass to focus the rays of the sun and make them more powerful. Similarly, when our minds are concentrated and focused, we are able to use our minds more powerfully.
While there is general agreement that certain effects of hypnosis exist, there are differences of opinion within the research and clinical communities about how hypnosis works. Recent research supports the view that hypnotic communication and suggestions effectively change aspects of a person’s physiological and neurological functions.
Practitioners use clinical hypnosis in three main ways. First, they encourage the use of imagination. Mental imagery is very powerful, especially in a focused state of attention. The mind seems capable of using imagery to assist us in bringing about the things we are imagining. For example, a patient with ulcerative colitis may be asked to imagine, what his/her distressed colon looks like. If she imagines it as being like a tunnel, with very red, inflamed walls that are rough in texture, the patient may be encouraged in hypnosis to imagine this image changing to a healthy one.
A second basic hypnotic method is to present ideas of suggestion to the patient. In a state of concentrated attention, ideas and suggestions that are compatible with what the patient wants seem to have a more powerful impact on the mind.
Finally, hypnosis may be used for unconscious exploration, to better understand underlying motivations or to identify whether past events or experiences are associated with causing a problem. Hypnosis avoids the critical censor of the conscious mind, which often defeats what we know to be in our best interest. The effectiveness of hypnosis appears to lie in the way in which it bypasses the critical observation and interference of the conscious mind, allowing the client’s intentions for change to take effect.” –http://asch.net/genpubinfo.htm
Clinical Hypnosis with Eric Garland, MSW, LCSW
Eric Garland, MSW, LCSW offers counseling, psychotherapy, and clinical hypnosis for individuals, couples, and families. Eric’s practice is pragmatic and solution-focused. He challenges his clients to grow as he gives them the emotional support and tools to do so. He is not a passive therapist; instead, he offers practical concrete solutions and techniques that help you progress towards your goals. His therapy style is designed to generate insight as well as behavior change. He has successfully assisted clients with diverse issues including depression; anxiety; drug, cigarette, and drug addiction; sleep difficulties; psychosomatic issues; parent-child and marital conflict; trauma; physical and sexual abuse, and self esteem issues, among others. Eric is certified in clinical hypnosis from the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. Clinical hypnosis is a powerful, evidence-based therapeutic tool that has been shown through research to have profound physical and mental health benefits (to learn more, click http://asch.net/genpubinfo.htm). Eric also draws upon mindfulness-based cognitive behavior therapy, solution-focused therapy, motivational enhancement therapy, brief strategic family therapy and gestalt therapy. He selects from among these modalities to customize and individualize his treatment stategy for the unique needs of each client.
60 minute appointment: $100
30 minute appointment: $50
