“What Is Hypnosis?” Describe The Psychological An Essay

References (read in bold)
  Hypnotherapy and counselling skills – module one
  Hypnosis for change Josie Hadley &Carol Staudacher
  First steps in counselling Third edition – Pete Sanders
  Hypnotherapy A practical handbook – Helmut Karle & Jennifer Boys
  Hypnotherapy A handbook – Michael Heap & Windy Dryden
  Hidden depths The story of hypnosis – Robin Waterfield
  Experiences in groups and other papers – W.R. Bion
  Scripts and strategies in Hypnotherapy – Roger P. Allen
  Understand applied psychology – Dr Nicky Hayes
  How To Hypnotize Yourself Without Losing Your Mind (Chapter 14) - Wayne F. Perkins, Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist

Essay 1 (2000 words)

TITLE:   “What is hypnosis?” Describe the psychological and physical aspects of hypnosis, and discuss the role of relaxation in Hypnotherapy.

What is hypnosis?
From my researches there appears to be a general scientific agreement that hypnosis both exists and works. But the   scientific community does not seem able to agree on what it is and how it works.
The British Society of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis states:
"In therapy, hypnosis usually involves the person experiencing a sense of deep relaxation with their attention narrowed down, and focused on appropriate suggestions made by the therapist."

“Hypnosis” from the root Hypnos meaning 'to sleep' was coined in 1840 by Dr. James Braid(1) to describe the forms of trance and suggestion being used at that time, and although this term can be misleading, as a hypnotic or trancelike state is not a “sleep” but as the BSCEH states above, is a   relaxed state where the subject becomes more open to suggestion, and able to concentrate fully on a particular thought or goal.

The history of trancelike states and hypnotic treatments goes a long way back in time, with earlier examples being found in Ancient Egypt and in Aboriginal ritual. In modern time the name most linked to the use of the state in medical treatment...