Originally published July 27 2009
Hypnotherapy Improves Self-Concept
by Steve G. Jones, Ed.S.
(NaturalNews) The term `self-concept` is someone`s awareness of themselves in relation to self-esteem, personality, and skills. Along with the present, it includes how people perceive themselves in their past and how they believe they will be in the future. Hypnotherapy has been shown to have a positive impact on one`s self-concept. Improving one`s self-concept with hypnotherapy has many potential benefits for students, women, and cancer patients.
A recent study asked the question of whether hypnosis has an effect on students` self-concept. Researchers also tested whether an improvement in self-concept would lead to improved academic achievement. The participants included two experimental groups who received hypnosis-induced mental training. The study also had two control groups who received no hypnosis. Participants were undergraduate students majoring in psychology.
Results showed that the hypnosis-induced mental training had a significant positive effect on the self-concept of the students. This improvement in self-concept showed improved academic achievement as well. This shows that simple hypnosis techniques can be used to not only improve students` self-concept, but can also have a positive impact on their academic achievement (De Vos & Louw, 2009).
Forester-Miller (1999) researched a psychotherapy group consisting of women and the effect of self-hypnosis on their self-concept. The women`s group was taught to use self-hypnosis to promote emotional, physiological, and psychological improvement. The women reported improved self-concept with the use of self-hypnosis. Self-hypnosis is an easy and natural method to promote improvement in self-concept. A more positive self-concept can greatly improve someone`s emotional, physiological, and psychological state.
Harman (1991) analyzed the use of psychotherapy, including hypnosis, on cancer patients` self-concept.
The researcher reported that hypnosis and group support contributed to an improved self-concept in cancer patients. It helped women adjust to mastectomies, reduced stress in relation to having cancer and undergoing cancer treatment, and helped with the coping of pain and anxiety. Cancer is a very difficult illness to go through both mentally and physically. Having an improved self-concept helps cancer patients through a very difficult time.
These studies show the various ways that hypnosis can improve self-concept and thus have a major impact on one`s life. Self-concept is similar to self-image and confidence. Confidence can make a big difference in how people succeed and how they overcome obstacles. These studies show that one can easily use self-hypnosis to improve self-concept and can promote many positive changes in a person`s life. It is important to improve one`s self-concept because to believe in oneself is very powerful and helps promote confidence.
Sources
De Vos, H.M & Louw, D.A. (2009). Hypnosis-induced mental training programmes as a strategy to improve the self-concept of students. Higher Education: The International Journal of Higher Education and Educational Planning, 57(2), 141-152.
Forester-Miller, H. (1999). Women nurturing women: A woman`s group using hypnotherapy. Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 24(3), 316-323.
Harman, M.J. (1991). The use of psychotherapy and cancer patients: A review of recent literature. Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 16(1), 56-61.
About the author
Steve G. Jones, Ed.S. has been practicing hypnotherapy since the 1980s. He is the author of 22 books on Hypnotherapy. Steve is a member of the National Guild of Hypnotists, American Board of Hypnotherapy, president of the American Alliance of Hypnotists, on the board of directors of the Los Angeles chapter of the American Lung Association, and director of the Steve G. Jones School of Clinical Hypnotherapy.
Steve G. Jones, Ed.S. is a board certified Clinical Hypnotherapist. He has a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Florida (1994), a master's degree in education from Armstrong Atlantic State University (2007), and is currently working on a doctorate in education, Ed.D., at Georgia Southern University. Learn more at:
http://www.betterlivingwithhypnosis.com/
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