Coming Soon: Clinical Hypnosis
Dr. Friesen primarily uses hypnosis for:
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Depression
- Low self-esteem
- Negative self-talk
- Peak performance
- Sport Psychology issues (e.g., confidence, performance anxiety, motivation, injury recovery, etc.)
- Overcoming bad habits
- Pain reduction
- Insomnia/Sleep difficulties
- Goal achievement
- WE DO NOT WORK WITH:
- Weight loss
- Diagnosed eating disorders (e.g., Anorexia, Bulimia)
- Personality Disorders (e.g., Borderline Personality Disorder)
- Psychosis
- Current drug use (other than marijuana)
- Complex Trauma/Childhood Abuse
- Family conflict
- Marriage issues
- Grief
Dr. Friesen has completed Level 1 training through the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH)
Note, Dr. Friesen does not necessarily endorse Dr. Spiegel’s app as described in the videos below:
Watch Dr. Andrew Huberman interview Dr. David Spiegel on hypnosis:
The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH) defines clinical hypnosis as a state of focused attention and reduced peripheral awareness, where individuals are more receptive to suggestions. It’s used by licensed and trained professionals to address psychological or physical problems through a highly relaxed, trance-like state.
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Altered state of awareness:
Hypnosis induces a state different from ordinary waking consciousness, characterized by focused attention and reduced awareness of external stimuli.
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Enhanced capacity for response to suggestion:
Individuals in hypnosis are more receptive to suggestions and can experience changes in perception, feelings, and behaviors based on these suggestions.
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Used for treatment:
Clinical hypnosis is a tool used by trained professionals (like doctors or master’s degree holders) to address a variety of medical or psychological concerns.
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Relaxed state:
Hypnosis is often associated with a state of deep relaxation, which is important for facilitating the therapeutic process.
The following is from the American Psychological Association Society of Psychological Hypnosis
Hypnosis involves learning how to use your mind and thoughts in order to manage emotional distress (e.g., anxiety, stress), unpleasant physical symptoms (e.g., pain), or to help you change certain habits or behaviours (e.g., smoking, overeating).
Although hypnosis sessions may differ depending on a particular client’s needs, sessions typically have two basic phases:
• The first phase is called an induction. During this phase, your therapist may help you to relax, may ask you to imagine a peaceful scene and will help you to become more focused and concentrated on what you need to accomplish during your hypnosis session.
• The second phase is called an application phase. During this phase, your therapist will make suggestions to you. For example, if you are experiencing anxiety, your therapist may suggest that during and/or following hypnosis, you will be calmer or less bothered by feelings of anxiety. If you are experiencing pain, your therapist may suggest that following hypnosis, you will no longer experience pain, or that you will be better able to manage any pain you do experience. The suggestions are the key ingredients of hypnosis because they are targeted to treat your specific symptoms or difficulties.
Many people have concerns or worries about hypnosis based on misconceptions they have. These misconceptions may be based on things they might have seen on TV, in the movies, or in stage shows.
Listed below are some common misconceptions, and the actual facts about hypnosis:
Misconception 1: The person being hypnotized will be under the control of the hypnotist, and can be made to do or say anything the hypnotist wants.
Fact 1: This is not true. No matter how deeply hypnotized you become, you will remain in control throughout the session. You cannot be made to do anything you do not want to do, or anything that you are uncomfortable doing.
Misconception 2: Hypnosis is something that is done to people, rather than something that they can do for themselves.
Fact 2: This is not true. Hypnosis is a skill you can learn. It is a tool you can use to help yourself feel better.
Misconception 3: People become trapped in hypnosis and cannot “come out” of it when they want to.
Fact 3: This is not true. People can end hypnosis whenever they want.
Misconception 4: People have to be very “hypnotizable” or “suggestible” or “gullible” for hypnosis to work.
Fact 4: This is not true. Research has indicated that the vast majority of people can benefit from hypnosis. Furthermore, being hypnotizable or choosing to be responsive to suggestions means only that you have the ability to use hypnosis effectively. It is not at all related to being gullible or weak-willed.
Misconception 5: During hypnosis, people are unconscious.
Fact 5: This is not true. During hypnosis, people are not asleep or unconscious. Although they may feel very relaxed, they are active participants in the hypnosis session.
Is hypnosis therapy?
Hypnosis is not a type of psychotherapy. Instead, it is a technique that can be used, and that can be taught to you, in the context of other therapies.
Who should perform hypnosis?
Clinical hypnosis should be conducted only by properly trained and credentialed health care professionals (e.g., licensed psychologists) who have been specifically trained in the use of hypnosis, and who are working within the limits of their professional expertise.
What kind of results can I expect from hypnosis?
Hypnosis has been demonstrated to have a wide range of benefits, from simply improving symptoms or difficulties, to completely eliminating them.
How can I expect to feel during hypnosis?
Most people describe hypnosis as a pleasant experience, during which they feel focused and absorbed in the hypnotic experience. Depending on how you and your therapist agree to structure your hypnosis sessions, they may help you to feel more alert, more relaxed, more comfortable, or more peaceful.
The number of clinical hypnosis sessions needed varies greatly depending on the individual and the specific issue being addressed. A general guideline is that most people see results within 4-6 sessions. However, some may require more or fewer sessions, and some may even see improvement after just one session. Some may require 15 sessions. Hypnosis works faster when patients/clients do the recommended home and self-help work between sessions.
iesen is now board certified in Neurofeedback through the Biofeedback International Certification Alliance (BCIA) and we are offering both Biofeedback and Neurofeedback training and treatments. Neurofeedback (also known as Neurotherapy or EEG Biofeedback), is a type of biofeedback that uses real-time displays of brain activity, to teach self-regulation of brain function. Typically, sensors are placed on the scalp to measure LoL activity, with measurements displayed using video displays or sound.
**NEWS**–Dr. Friesen has launched Friesen Sport & Performance Psychology (www.FriesenPerformance.com) which offers in-person sport and performance psychology services to serious athletes (children, adolescents, adults, and seniors) from Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe region (Niagara to Oakville). We also focus on helping high achievers (e.g., athletes, executives, entrepreneurs, academics, writers) achieve goals and improve their performance and productivity. We do this by leveraging the latest research from sport/performance psychology, executive coaching, and cognitive neuroscience. We offer coaching, consulting, and workshops to high-achieving individuals and businesses looking to maximize personal and professional potential. Dr. Friesen also provides such services online (e.g., Skype) or via phone to high achievers across North America.
