Hypnotherapists unlike stereotypes, audience told

Monday March 11 2014

“Several myths about hypnotherapy were exploded during a talk yesterday by Dunedin social worker and certified hypnotherapist Karen Hughes, during Brain Awareness Week. Ms Hughes, University of Otago psychologist and neuroscientist Prof Liz Franz and former Buddhist monk Kovido Maddick gave wide-ranging talks, together titled ”Conscious about the Subconscious”, at Otago Museum, at 12.30pm. Ms Hughes, who has several Otago University qualifications, including in psychology and social and community work, said many people believed false stereotypes about hypnotherapists, sometimes imagining they would be like slick stage hypnotists, making hypnotised subjects do things against their will. Real hypnotherapists were unlike the popular stereotypes. Hypnotism also involved a more focused form of consciousness, rather than unconsciousness, and people could not be forced to do things they did not wish to, such as to commit crimes. Hypnotherapy brought many positive benefits, including reducing pain after injury, lowering anxieties, improving self-confidence and helping with weight control. Self-hypnosis also provided ”a fantastic form of relaxation which was great for people’s health”, she said.”

This story was taken from the Otago Daily Times;  for more information click here.

The Power of The Subconscious; Sleep and Dreams

Tuesday, 12 April 2016

“Hypnotism may seem like a magic trick, but if you look closely you’ll find that it’s a normal part of life. Karen Hughes, Dunedin’s resident hypnotherapist, says it is simply an aspect of human attention. Focus too much on one stimulus, like a tv show or book, and you will find your ability to pay attention to the world around you fades away. She calls this the hypnotic state, but you could also think of it as a kind of selective attention. This kind of fixation leaves people open to suggestion which hypnotherapists, like Karen, use to treat patients.”

This article was taken from the Brain Health Research Centre newsletter.  For more information click  here.