Hypnotherapy is a state of relaxation used by the therapist in order to try and help the patient to uncover and explore memories, emotions and past events which may affect a person"s conscious mind. Hypnotherapy is the application of hypnosis for therapeutic purposes. The process of hypnotherapy leads to a direct interaction with inner consciousness in order to probe into the core issues and find the causes of problems in a person"s life. During hypnotherapy, the hypnotist can examine the beliefs and thought processes that give rise to emotional, mental, physical and spiritual problems and make changes at the core level which will bring about a change in the outer behaviour and manifestation.

History of Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy has proved greatly beneficial mostly in the field of medicine. It was used as far back as the 19th century by noted physicians such as James Esdaile in India and John Elliotson in England, to relieve pain and distress and during surgery. The founder of hypnotherapy, James Braid was a surgeon himself, specialising in muscular conditions and has reported many cases of minor surgery using hypnotism.

Process of Hypnotherapy
Different states of relaxation are used by the therapist in order to try and help the patient to uncover and explore memories, emotions and past events which may affect a person"s conscious mind. The state of deep hypnosis is similar in many ways to the kind of profound trance experience of the expert practitioners of Yoga and Meditation. The experience of hypnotherapy is different for different people. For most people, however, it is a pleasant state of deep inner calm and physical relaxation.

Types of Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy has taken different forms down the ages and has integrated elements as well as influenced other psychotherapeutic traditions throughout history. The different kinds of hypnotherapy are discussed below;


•Traditional Hypnotherapy- The traditional form of hypnotherapy was utilised as direct suggestion of symptom removal along with therapeutic relaxation. This was one of the simplest forms of hypnotherapy and involved rather direct methods with few theoretical assumptions. Traditional hypnotherapy continues to influence the later stages of hypnotherapy.


•Hypnoanalysis- Hypnoanalysis was another method of hypnosis used in psychotherapy. This was a form of Subsequent Regression Therapy also known as "Analytic Hypnotherapy" or "Psychodynamic Hypnotherapy". This work influenced many hypnotherapists and was greatly used during the time of both the World Wars.


•Ericksonian Hypnotherapy- It was developed by Milton H. Erickson, one of the greatest hypnotists of the 20th century. He developed an approach to hypnotism which was radically different from the ones which were in use. He employed an informal, conversational approach with many clients and used complex language patterns and therapeutic strategies. His work continues to be a major force in the practice of modern hypnotherapy.


•Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy (CBH) - It is a kind of integrated psychological therapy which employs clinical hypnosis and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). The term "cognitive-behavioural" is used to describe the non-state theory of hypnotism and discussed its application to behaviour therapy.


•Self-Hypnosis - Self hypnosis is a powerful mind-expanding technique that can unlock the extra power of a subconscious mind. It induces a state of extreme relaxation and increased suggestibility to treat a host of mental and physical conditions.

Benefits of Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is used to cure a number of ailments. Even though it cannot cure terminal diseases like Cancer, it has proved extremely beneficial in controlling the pain and other bodily symptoms related to the diseases. It even finds use in childbirth where a mother is prepared during pregnancy for delivery and hypnotherapy helps to reduce anxiety, discomfort and pain. The psychologists and psychiatrists use hypnosis mainly for the treatment of dissociative disorders, habit changes, phobias, depression and posttraumatic syndromes. It is also used to help the subjects in cessation of smoking, aid of weight loss, etc.

Hypnotherapy is thus a very useful method that may be employed for curing a number of disease conditions and alleviating situations of stress and habit disorders.