The actual practice of hypnosis is a form of therapy that can change and improve the patient's mental and physical state of well-being. While different methods of hypnosis exist, many popular forms deriving from the work of the psychiatrist Milton Erickson. Kupferman utilizes Erickson's methods frequently, especially with clients who are resistant to authority and reluctant to go into a trance.
When working with a client, Kupferman will guide the patient into a trance, which is a relaxed state of attention. He refers to the process as an induction, which is a process of moving a person mentally from an unfocused, conscious state to a more focused, unconscious state. He then speaks to the person, addressing the concerns the patient possesses.
How It Can Help You: Kupferman described hypnotherapy as an interactive process that depends on the skills of the hypnotist and the desire of the client. "I use the cognitive process," he said, "working through the mind and speaking to the unconscious." He described the conditions he treats as mind body connections, with him focusing on the mind.
Kupferman said the practice is based on the premise that change occurs in a patient's unconscious mind. However, he stated that hypnosis it is not mind control, a common misconception many hold about it.
Kupferman, who has been trained as a psychotherapist, has worked frequently with people who have been traumatized, including survivors of the September 11th attacks on New York who suffered from nightmares. He credits hypnotherapy with having a rapid effect on patients, making it a good option for people who want results without a great amount of insight into it.
An additional advantage of hypnotherapy he mentioned was the continuing benefit of self-hypnosis. He teaches his patients to hypnotize themselves, in order to continue the benefits of the treatment without requiring another visit to his office. "They don't have to come back for a prescription refill," he said. "I want them to take my voice with them."
Editor's note: If you're interested in finding a hypnotherapist, look at the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis for a practioner near you!
