you want.

Hypnosis will not work with skeptics. Every so often such a person comes
to my office seeking help. He tells me that his family physician or his
spouse feels he should take my course in self-hypnosis. I inquire if he
feels he might benefit from the course. If his answer is not positive,
and if after talking to him at length about the benefits of hypnosis, I
still feel he is not ready for the course, I suggest another mode of
treatment for him. The reason for this is that unless the person is
optimistic and enthusiastic about self-hypnosis, it just isn't going to
work as effectively as it would otherwise. The very nature of a
skeptical attitude limits the constructive forces that we wish to
harness.

Occasionally, individuals want indisputable proof that hypnosis is going
to help them. It is impossible to give them the proof and unqualified
reassurance that they seek. Yet, these same people do not require proof
from their physicians. No one can guarantee success. However, I do point
out that the continued and intelligent use of self-hypnosis can be
instrumental in directing the healing, curative, constructive forces of
nature.

Many times, a metaphysical rather than a scientific approach is
required. It's a matter of trying to satisfy the patient's needs. At
times, it is helpful to allow the patient to attend a class in
self-hypnosis. Being able to communicate and identify with other
individuals seeking self-hypnosis often is enough to change his
attitude. This is especially true when one or more of the students
relates dramatic changes.

Self-hypnosis works because we are able to condition ourselves to
various stimuli. We condition ourselves consciously and unconsciously to
many activities. When we experience anxiety, it stems from a
conditioning process which could have been conscious or unconscious. In
self-hypnosis, the individual consciously works toward implementing and
strengthening his own inherent strength and resources. These objectives,
when attained, result in feelings of confidence, relaxation,
self-mastery and well-being.

Furthermore, hypnosis utilizes a natural mental process. We all know
that placebos work admirably in numerous cases. The dictionary defines
the word placebo as, "an inactive substance or preparation, administered
to please or gratify a patient, also used in controlled studies to
determine the efficiency of medicinal substances." Many controlled
experiments have shown th