Join MysticMag and delve into the realm of hypnosis with Dr. Jim Macy of Macy’s Hypnosis and Success Coaching, an accomplished hypnotherapist, as he shares the intriguing origins of his journey into the field and how the profound impact of hypnosis sparked his mission to help others. Discover the essence of hypnosis as Dr. Macy unravels its workings, demystifying common misconceptions and shedding light on its vast potential in facilitating both mental and physical transformations.
How did you get into hypnosis and what attracted you to this field?
As a teenager, I was interested in how to use my mind to help me in school. I found a book in the school library on Self-hypnosis. I soon was able to put myself into trance and have fun with trancework. Other students wanted to have the experience, then others throughout my school years, and even afterwards people would ask for help overcoming unwanted habits.
How does hypnosis actually work?
Hypnosis is quieting the conscious mind to the extent that you can enter an internal focus of attention and use the more powerful subconscious mind to effect desired changes in behaviors, habits, and even personality changes. I define hypnosis with my clients as, “The internal focus of attention to the extent that you ignore your external environment and become hyper (above) receptive to suggestions within your field of focus.” Here is an example, “You enter a movie theater and notice an odd smell, your chair squeaks, and you feel the air conditioner blowing cool air.
All that is your external environment. Now the movie starts and you get into it. That is your internal focus of attention. Something happens in the movie, perhaps a dog runs into the street and is hit by a car. A child runs out and picks up the dying dog and holds it as it dies. When I tell this story few people will feel anything, but when you see it on the screen you have a visceral reaction. That is the hyper-receptivity to the suggestion the dog was hurt, even though you know no animals were hurt or mistreated in the filming of the movie.
What issues can hypnotherapy assist a person with?
I have read that there are over 150 things that hypnosis can correct or change. Even the American Medical Association agrees that there is a 100% mind-body connection. With that said, hypnosis can make propound physical as well as mental changes. Hypnosis has been shown to help or cure many illnesses from cancer to stroke recovery building new neuro-synapses and rewiring the brain for complete recovery of many ailments. It can even be used to destroy unwanted habits such as cigarette smoking.
What are some of the common misconceptions about hypnotherapy that you came across?
Many misconceptions are drawn from ignorance or what I call the Hollywood effect. Some false conceptions include:
- You will be under the hypnotist’s control;
- Your mind will become weak;
- You will open yourself to demons;
- You will become stuck in hypnosis;
- Hypnosis is from Satan.
Actually, hypnosis is a natural occurrence that all humans go in and out of many times a day. Examples include having to be called more than once when studying or involved in a movie or book.
Can you share a memorable success story?
There are so many it is difficult to choose. However, the time I helped a patient recover from a 2-year stroke can illustrate the power of the patient’s mind. She was able to regain use of her legs after being bedridden for more than two years because the medical profession told her she would never be able to move from her bed. Obviously, the professionals who told her she would never move again did not consider hypnosis. Within four months of beginning hypnosis sessions with her, she let me know that she had taken three steps in PT and later advised she was continuing to walk.
Is there anything else about your work that you’d like to share that we haven’t covered?
Virtually anyone can learn how to hypnotize another person because hypnosis is a natural phenomenon, however, to be able to provide therapy within the scope of hypnosis takes training and experience. An untrained and skilled hypnotherapist can cause irreparable harm. I have multiple post-graduate degrees including a Master’s Degree in Psychology.
To learn more about Dr. Jim and his work, you can visit www.macys-hypnosis.com
