FAQ’s – Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Hypnosis is a popular method for experiencing trance, but it is not the only approach. Researcher Dennis R Wier has been experimenting with trance for more than 35 years. In his book, Trance: from Magic to Technology, he defined trance as “a state of mind being caused by cognitive loops were a cognitive object (thoughts, images, sounds, intentional actions) repeats long enough to result in various sets of disabled cognitive functions.” … “at least some cognitive functions such as volition are disabled; as is seen in what is typically termed a ‘hypnotic trance’.
A hypnotist is not something a hypnotist does to someone, he or she expertly guides or facilitates a person to create their own trance state, therefore “All hypnosis is self hypnosis”
Meditation, addictions, captivation, and frenzy are all trance states. We also see trance states induced from indigenous and religious peoples rhythmic percussion, drumming, chants, and dance.
People are usually guided into trance by a hypnotist, who may be a Sharman, mystic, priest, or yogi. With practice, individuals can choose to achieve trance themselves through some forms of meditation, self-hypnosis, and prayer. People also experience trance through television, advertising, trauma, panic attahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rbrKzw6eZ4cks, psychosis, euphoria, and some psychedelic drugs such as LSD, peyote, and psilocybin.
When people think of hypnotic trance they think of asleep. I have had several clients over the years who have said ‘That did not work. I was not hypnotized, because I was not asleep.” They think hypnotic trance is sleep. The fact is trance can be very active too. People can achieve trance states while dancing, in athletic pursuits and facing real or imagined threats to their survival.
Trance is a natural, it is not artificial. We all experience it, every day. Trance in its self is not dangerous. It is sometimes called an ‘altered state of consciousness’, although altered from what I don’t know.
Dictionary.com defines ‘trance’ as:
1. a half-conscious state, seemingly between sleeping and waking, in which the ability to function voluntarily may be suspended.
2.a dazed or bewildered condition.
3.a state of complete mental absorption or deep musing.
4.an unconscious, cataleptic, or hypnotic condition.
5.Spiritualism. a temporary state in which a medium, with suspension of personal consciousness, is controlled by an intelligence from without and used as a means of communication, as from the dead.
Gamma waves occur in the range of 25 – 100 Hz. Meditating Tibetan Monks feeling compassion and experiencing ‘bliss’ have been measured as high as 40 Hz. However, this level of brain wave activity has rarely been measured.
Beta waves occur at 12.5 to 30 Hz. They are associated with normal waking consciousness.
Alpha waves occur in the range of 7.5 – 12.5 Hz. They are associated with wakeful relaxation while the eyes are closed. It is the state of ‘light-hypnosis’. Masters of Zen meditation have been able to show noticeably more alpha waves during meditation.
Theta waves occur in the range of 4 – 7.5 Hz. They are associated with meditation, deeper hypnosis, drowsiness, and light sleep.
Delta waves occur in the range of 0.5 – 4 Hz. Deep dreamless sleep, coma, Yoga Nidra (sleep yoga), and a deep meditative state known as “jagrat sushupti” occur at this level.
A good hypnotherapist will:
A good hypnotherapist will guide the unconscious mind to discover the ‘root cause’ memory of the presenting challenge and resolve it. I believe a good hypnotherapist will also provide guidance and support. Unfortunately, there are people who set themselves up as hypnotherapists with little or no training or experience. These poorly trained or lazy hypnotherapists sometimes damage the reputations of all the good hypnotherapist.
There are different types of hypnotherapy. They include:
Indigenous healing was and is practiced by Sharman, witch doctors, and priests in indigenous societies around the world. They usually use ceremonial costumes, rattles, bells, rhythmic drums, and ‘magik’ to create a trance state in themselves and their subject. They may also use potions made from herbs to create an altered state. This usually takes many hours, and sometimes days to achieve. This healing is probably as old as man itself.
Traditional Hypnotherapy had its beginnings with Father Maximilian Hell (1720 – 1792) who used Sharman like costumes and chanting to induce trance and to ‘drive out evil spirits’. It typically took hours for his patients to achieve trance states.
Franz Anton Mesmer (1734 –1815) ‘perfected’ the method by introducing the fascination of magnetism, which he called ‘animal magnetism’. Perhaps you have heard the term ‘mesmerizing’? People thought magnets were ‘magik’, and the shock of seeing rocks apparently move by themselves assisted trance. Magic tricks can throw people into a trance.
Doctor James Esdaile (1808 – 1859) was a pioneer of hypnosis for surgical anesthesia. He performed hundreds of operations only using hypnotic trance.
Doctor James Braid (1795 – 1860), studied Mesmer’s technique and concluded trance had nothing to do with magnetism.
Doctor Hippolyte Bernheim (1840 – 1919) ‘discovered’ false memory syndrome, which all therapists should be aware of. It can be abused and used to create positive change.
Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis said, “I was a spectator of Bernheim’s astonishing experiments upon his hospital patients, and I received the profoundest impression of the possibility that there could be powerful mental processes which nevertheless remained hidden from the consciousness of man”.
These and many others advanced the science and art of hypnotherapy.
Major George Estabrooks (1895 – 1973) used a shock and control technique to ‘hypno program’ US government military and spy’s during World War Two. The CIA and military invested millions of dollars researching hypnosis during the 1950s. As a result, it paved the way for medical, dental, and psychological purposes.
Dave Elman (1900 – 1967) was introduced to hypnotherapy through stage hypnosis. He taught doctors across America the art and science of hypnotic trance induction using direct methods, such as … “Close those eyes now”
Ericksonian Hypnotherapy. Doctor Milton Erickson (1901 – 1980), an American psychiatrist, developed unique ‘permissive’ trance induction and suggestion techniques – the complete opposite of Major George Estabrooks shock and control methods.
Milton Erickson originally trained in traditional hypnosis methods. He found the direct methods were ineffective with some patients, because they resisted. So he developed the ability to “utilize” anything about his patients to assist them to heal; including their beliefs, words, cultural background, personal history, or even their neurotic behaviors. Such as “You can close those tired eyes down whenever you want …. Now”
He conceptualized that the unconscious mind is a separate entity from the conscious mind. It has its own awareness, learning, emotions, beliefs, and behaviors.
Milton Erickson was a major influence on the development of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP).
Advanced Hypnotherapy is heavily influenced by Ericksonian Hypnotherapy, Cognitive Psychology, and NLP. Peter Zapfella also draws upon his stage hypnosis techniques to create a trance state in his clients. He understands that everyone is in their own trance most of their waking life. He utilizes these naturally occurring trance states to create change in his clients.
NLP is an incredibly powerful collection of techniques that can quickly change emotions, beliefs, and behaviors at the unconscious level of mind. Thereby people can think, communicate, and manage themselves, and others, more effectively than ever before. One of the things about NLP that amazes hypnotherapists and psychologists is that it usually does not need a traditional hypnotic trance to effectively create fundamental changes at the deep unconscious.
That is why NLP is one of the most powerful skills used today in advertising, sales, business management, and sports coaching and all forms of personal development.
The logical conscious mind is the goal setter, while your unconscious mind is the goal-getter.
If things are not working out in your life, chances are your conscious and unconscious are incongruent. NLP removes the unconscious ‘blocks’ so it can align with the conscious mind.
NLP was created in the 1970s by a psychologist, Richard Bandler, and an assistant professor of Linguistics, John Grinder. Since then many have contributed to the building of the field. Initially, NLP was focused upon health and self-development, perhaps because Bandler and Grinder studied people like Milton Erickson. Today NLP encompasses education, business, sports, and improved inter-personal communication. It is now used to advance better communication and influence from the pulpit, presentations, advertising, and more.
I have studied NLP along-side people employed by the US FBI, police, and Australian Taxation Office.
NLP utilizes various methods, including:
Time Line Therapy is the registered trademark of Everett James.
Now clients have the added option of CYBER-BAND® Hypnotherapy whereby the deep unconscious mind believes they have undergone gastric band surgery, forcing them to eat smaller meal potions, thereby developing new healthy habits and behaviors and controlling weight long term.
Cyber Band is a hypnotherapy technique co-developed by Peter Zapfella and Coral A. Conrad. It limits portion control while eating food by creating an illusion at the unconscious level of mind that the client has undergone an actual lap banding or by-pass procedure. It is preceded by Neuro-Linguistic and Emotional Alignment Therapy treatment to resolve the ‘root cause’ emotional and behavioral causes of weight gain.
Following years of successful clinical practice in weight control and other issues Peter Zapfella and Coral A. Conrad consulted with several people who had successfully completed gastric lap band surgery, with subsequent weight loss. They were also advised by hospital surgical staff with hands-on clinical experience in the procedure.
Cyber Band is a registered trademark of Peter Zapfella and Coral A Conrad.
After having studied and qualified as a Master Practitioner of Hypnotherapy, Peter went to the US to study Neuro-Linguistic Programming and Time Line Therapy ®, with Master Trainers Dr. Everett James Ph.D. Hypno (USA), Julie Silverthorn Psych (USA), John Overduff Psych (USA), Dr. Susan Chu MD. (HK), Ardith James (USA Dr. Dennis Sartain Ph.D. Psych (UK), and others. Peter Zapfella became a psychotherapist in private practice in 1995.
In 1997 he began working with legendary American Stage Hypnotist Reif Spano. Peter subsequently developed his own Comedy Hypnosis Show and in 2000 he accepted the opportunity to live and work in Sydney during the Sydney Olympic Games.
At that time Sydney was the center of NLP trainings in Australia, so Peter was able to repeat his original trainings and attend further trainings with Master Trainers Dr. Everett James Ph.D. Hypno (USA), Dr. Adriana James Ph.D. Hypno, Philippa Bond (AUS), Dr. Michael Hall Ph.D. Psych (USA), Rev. Dr. Bodenhamer Ph.D. Theo (USA), George Faddoul (AUS), Lori Flores (USA), Tim Halborn (USA), Sue Knight (UK), Kis Halborn (USA), Bogdan Bobocea (AUS) and others.
Until that time his preferred NLP therapy was Time-Line, however, he had witnessed other practitioners, and occasionally experienced challenges with the technique himself. Abreactions are strong, often disturbing emotional and even physical reactions to something re-experienced from the past as if real. Abreaction could re-traumatize rather than achieve the desired healing, particularly if there is no experienced therapist present to ‘rescue’ the patient.
Peter began to conceptualize a new therapy model, which negated the shortcomings, such as abreactions, sometimes experienced with the Time-Line method. He tested his theories with his clients. The results were even more successful than expected. He then experimented and perfected the method called Emotional Alignment Therapy, the forerunner of the Emotional Alignment Technique (EAT). (www.emotionalalignmenttechnique.com) Peter has since taught his technique to other therapists, who like him, have found it overcomes all of the limitations and challenges of the Time-Line method.
Does hypnotherapy really work? – YouTube
Peter Zapfella is launching an exciting range of 400 specific SUBLIMINAL AFFIRMATION products, for a wide range of life’s day-to-day challenges.
The downloadable MP3’s consist of positive affirmations, which are repeated every minute, and accompanied by pleasant sounds of nature and, or music. Importantly, the affirmations can clearly be heard when the foreground (masking) sounds are not there.
They can safely be used in the background while driving, at work, in the home, and while sleeping. They are suitable for children, and adults of all ages.
‘Welcome’ MP3’s are most effective when listening following one-on-one therapy with Peter Zapfella, and therefore their unconscious ‘intent’ and ‘emotional feelings’ are consistent with the SUBLIMINAL messages. The ‘prime individual responses and stimulate mild emotional activity’. However, they will not force a client to do anything they do not consciously want to do.
The secret of success is the way they are repeated over and over many, many times, at normal speed, just below the background (masking) sounds. You may be able to hear Peter Zapfella’s spoken words from time-to-time.
This wide range of MP3’s is long term maintenance, to be used following therapy – not as a substitute for it. They can be used at your convenience almost anywhere and at any time, for your ongoing, long-term success.
Q. What is the Conscious Mind?
Consciousness is awareness of the moment (time), our own external world (environment), and some mental functions. In NLP we would say the conscious mind is the executive which sets the goals.
The sub-conscious is adjacent to consciousness and provides accessible information, such as memories and recall. It is the ‘half-way house’ (sub) between consciousness and the deeper unconscious. Some unconscious memories are transferred through the sub-conscious to full consciousness. Some psychologists and hypnotherapists get their ‘sub-conscious’ and ‘unconscious’ minds confused.
“The conscious mind determines the actions, the unconscious mind determines the reactions; and the reactions are just as important as the actions.” ~E. Stanley Jones
NLP Master Trainer, Matthew B. James, MA, Ph.D. says ‘in NLP we recognize the unconscious mind:
Preserves the body: One of its main objectives is the survival of your physical body. It will fight anything that appears to be a threat to that survival. So if you want to change a behavior more easily, show your unconscious how that behavior is hurting your body.
Runs the body: The unconscious handles all of your basic physical functions (breathing, heart rate, immune system, etc.). Huna believes that the unconscious holds the blueprint of your body as it is now and also the blueprint of your perfect health. Rather than telling the unconscious what perfect health looks like, try asking it what it knows and what you need for better health.
Is like a 7-year old child: Like a young child, the unconscious likes to serve, needs very clear directions, and takes your instructions very literally. So if you say, “This job is a pain in the neck,” your unconscious will figure out a way to make sure that your neck hurts at work! The unconscious is also very “moral” in the way a young child is moral, which means based on the morality taught and accepted by your parents or surroundings. So if you were taught that “sex is nasty,” your unconscious will still respond to that teaching even after your conscious mind has rejected it.
Communicates through emotion and symbols: To get your attention, the unconscious uses emotions. For example, if you suddenly feel afraid, your unconscious has detected (rightly or wrongly) that your survival is at risk.
Stores and organizes memories: The unconscious decides where and how your memories are stored. It may hide certain memories (such as traumas) that have strong negative emotions until you are mature enough to process them consciously. When it senses that you are ready (whether you consciously think you are or not!), it will bring them up so you can deal with them.
Does not process negatives: The unconscious absorbs pictures rather than words. So if you say, “I don’t want to procrastinate,” the unconscious generates a picture of you procrastinating. Switching that picture from the negative to the positive takes an extra step. Better to tell your unconscious, “Let’s get to work!”
Makes associations and learns quickly: To protect you, the unconscious stays alert and tries to glean the lessons from each experience. For example, if you had a bad experience in school, your unconscious may choose to lump all of your learning experiences into the “this is not going to be fun” category. It will signal you with sweaty palms and anxiety whenever you attempt something new. But if you do well in sports, your unconscious will remember that “sports equals success” and you’ll feel positive and energized whenever physical activity comes up. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/focus-forgiveness/201307/conscious-the-unconscious
From time-to-time, we refer to hypnosis or hypnotherapy when we really should only refer to Neuro-Linguistic Programming and the Emotional Alignment Technique as therapy models. The reason is only for IT technical reasons. If you seek clarity, please ask.
However, when we are awake our conscious mind is active, and to some extent, it distracts the unconscious mind too. When we are free from distractions a hypnotic trance can better facilitate positive change.
I may provide you with the opportunity to listen to Advanced Hypnotherapy MP3’s at home following your session. The more you listen the better.
NLP Power No, Power Yes, Zap Away, Zap Toward and Self Esteem Building methods are ‘doing’ processes. To be effective you will listen to the MP3’s provided and ‘do’ the processes. It takes 100 percent focus and commitment. All but the Zap Away and Zap Toward NLP Processes are performed every day for a month. The Zap Away and Zap Toward are repeated 12 times in quick succession and may be repeated on subsequent days if you want to be absolutely sure of maintaining the desired unconscious shift.
DISCLAIMER: From time-to-time, we refer to hypnosis or hypnotherapy in the FAQ’s when we really should only refer to Neuro-Linguistic Programming and the Emotional Alignment Technique as therapy models. The reason is only for IT and SEO technical reasons.
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