Almost a year ago I wrote that I would begin using hypnotherapy to help clients facing non-emergent surgery. I can report that it is even more beneficial than I had hoped. I worked with one client who was highly anxious abut her scheduled hysterectomy. “The last time I had surgery,” she said, “I woke up from the anesthesia screaming with pain.” This client was planning to move out of the area and her surgery was scheduled for the following week, so we had time for just one session of hypnotherapy. She called about a month later to say. “I just wanted to you to know that I forgot to take my pain medication. I felt so great after the surgery that I never remembered to take it.”

I am so glad that I’ve added this intervention to my repertoire. As an aside, I recently worked with a gentleman whose health was in jeopardy after over 50 years of heavy smoking. The doctor had warned him that he wouldn’t live long unless he gave up tobacco use, but, despite his efforts, he was unable even to cut back. After our first hypnotherapy session, he had reduced his smoking to two cigarettes a day. After the second session, he was able to stop smoking. He is a highly motivated individual and I’m pleased that I was able to help him reach his goal.

Hypnotherapy does not allow the therapist to take control of the client. It enhances the client’s ability to harness his or her own strengths and willpower.