History of Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy is a procedure in which hypnosis is used to deal with various concerns and issues of the patients. It is also known as guided hypnosis which is also used to make the patient feel relaxed and in layman terms, it places the patient in a trance or altered state of mind. The most basic aim of hypnotherapy is to bring out positive changes while they are in a state of unconsciousness.

With the use of hypnotherapy, the therapist is easily able to open up painful or traumatic events of the patient who cannot talk about it when they are conscious. This helps the patient to view real life situation differently. They tend to listen and be more open to the therapist’s suggestions when they are under hypnosis.

In order for you to understand the history of hypnotherapy, you need to know the history of hypnosis as that is what is used in hypnotherapy.

History of Hypnosis –

Hypnosis can be identified in all ancient cultures in some form or the other. The ancient cultures which used hypnosis more than the others where – Persian, Indian, Egyptian, Chinese, Greek and Roman. In India, it was mentioned in a Sanskrit book called the Law of Manu with terms such as sleep walking, dream sleeping, etc. In Egyptian and Greek history, the citizens would go to sleep temples wherein their sickness would be healed with hypnosis.
In the 18th century, a German physician, Franz Mesmer used hypnosis in treatment of his patients in the city of Vienna and Paris. However, he thought that hypnosis derived its properties from occult force which soon led to him being discredited. The coinage of the term’s hypnotism and hypnosis after the Greek god of Sleep was done in 19th century by James Braid who was studying the phenomenon.
History of Hypnotherapy –
In Ancient India, the sleep temples were quite famous which used the self-induced hypnosis through meditation to heal ailments. The very first known written document was in 1027 called the Book of Healing. Further on, many other cultures started recognising different methods in their area which used hypnosis. It was also seen that hypnosis was used with prayers and were a part of ceremonial rituals. Hence, giving it a mystique nature.
In 1700’s, a shift was seen in the concept of hypnosis from mysticism to the scientific part of the world. Scientists and men with great calibre, put there minds together in order to understand and unveil the reasoning behind hypnosis. Amongst them was a man named Abbe Faria who grabbed the attention of the mass but demonstrating his ability to alter one’s mind with technique and cooperation of his subject i.e., hypnosis.

Following the work of Abbe Faria, many physicians indulged in the concept of hypnosis and successfully started using hypnosis as a form of anaesthesia. However, the scientific community was still not satisfied with the explanation and usage of the concept of hypnosis. Earlier we saw the shift from mysticism to scientific world, and then it shifted to the world of psychology. Hence came the hypnotherapy into existence.

By the end of 1800’s, many great scientists started racking their brain to utilise the concept with the principle of psychology to treat mental patients. The First International Congress for Experimental and Therapeutic Hypnotism was heavily populated with people by the scientists who were studying the human brain which also included Sigmund Freud.
Modern hypnotherapy has its roots deep into Christian exorcism. Anton Mesmer offered justification for the practices based on pseudoscience however later one these were debunked by a commission which included Benjamin Franklin.

Throughout the course of history there were multiple types of hypnotherapy, such as –

• Traditional Hypnotherapy – This type of hypnosis was mainly used by Victorian hypnotists such as James Braid and Hippolyte Bernheim. They believed in giving direct suggestions for the ailment.
• Ericksonian Hypnotherapy – Milton H Erickson, in 1950’s developed a hypnotism which was known as Ericksonian hypnotherapy or Neo-Ericksonian Hypnotherapy. In this procedure they established a rapport and once that happened, they would make use of informal conversations to direct the awareness of the patient.
• Kappasinian Hypnotherapy – With practical experience in his bag, John Kappas realised that direct suggestion was not appreciated by half of the population. This realisation led to him study the principle of suggestibility by treating thousand of patients.
• Solution Focused Hypnotherapy – In 2000’s came the new type of hypnotherapy wherein aspects of Solution-focused brief theory were combined with the Ericksonian theory.
• Cognitive or Behavioural theory – In 1974, Theodore X Barber and few colleagues of his published a review which stated that hypnotism wasn’t a special state, but it was the natural psychological variable such as the imagination, appropriate attitude, expectations and motivation. Theodore X. Barber was the one who introduced the term cognitive behavioural to hypnotism.
• Curative Hypnotherapy – David Lesser was known as the originator of curative hypnotherapy. He was the first one to understand and state the possibility of using hypnosis to find the patient’s symptoms for the ailment along with IMR and a specific questions would be asked to the patients.

About Dr.Rajnee R. Garg

Dr Rajnee is a certified numerologist, tarot card reader and spiritual healer who has extensive knowledge about hypnotherapy. She has knowledge about crystal healing, tarot card and various healing techniques because of her years of experience. She has more than 11 years of experience with 3000 success stories in her bag. She chose the line of healing people as she developed a keen interest in occult science and spirituality. After choosing the line, her determination made her an expert in her field.
She wants to heal people by connecting their spirit with the universal energy and help them fulfil their heart’s desire. Due to her determination and good intention, she has a very strong client base in Kolkata. She is one of the best hypnotherapists in Kolkata. She also appears on various television shows so that she can help those who cannot reach out to her physically.
Dr Rajnee has won “Woman Achiever of India” certificate for her excellence in the field and an award by the Foundation People in order to mark the milestones she has achieved in her life.