Hypnotherapy and Hypnotherapist

Hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis to treat patients who are in pain or who are having emotional or mental problems. Hypnotherapists believe that patients who enter a trance are much more likely to listen to suggestions which are given to them - hyper-suggestibility.   While most treated conditions are related to the mind, functional ailments can be treated as well.

In the mid 19th century a number of therapists began developing methods that would come to be known as hypnosis. Franz Anton Mesmer (you can see where Mesmerism came from) developed a theory which became known as animal magnetism.  He did extensive research on hysteria, and his studies indicated that advanced cases were similar to what is called a post-traumatic stress disorder.

A little before Mesmer, Scottish physician James Braid, had already pioneered the concept of hypnotism as an opposing system to Mesmerism, basing his work on psychological and physiological mechanisms rather than the occult theories of Mesmer.  The French used his ideas to develop more sophisticated psychological treatments.

In general a Hypnotherapist induces an hypnotic state in a client to increase motivation or alter behavior pattern through hypnosis after consulting with client to determine the nature of problem. After explaining the technique the hypnotherapist tests the patient to determine degrees of physical and emotional suggestibility. If acceptable the therapist induces an hypnotic state in the patient.  Part of ongoing treatment may be self-hypnosis.