Is hypnosis a "real" clinical treatment or is it hocus-pocus?

Question

Can a therapist use hypnosis to help me overcome bad habits? I have a real problem with biting my fingernails and I have never been able to control myself. Is hypnosis a real thing that is used by medical therapists?

William Anderson · Accepted Answer

Hypnotherapy is a real clinical treatment that really works for many problems, but you must really be careful when you seek it.

There is a lot of confusion about what hypnosis is and what it isn't, and we don't have the space here to explain all you need to know in depth. However, it is not the stuff you see at magic shows and it's not something you should engage in with someone who is not credentialed by one of the real professional hypnotherapy associations like ASCH (American Society for Clinical Hypnosis) and licensed by your state government's Department of Health, the agency which licenses and regulates all medical professionals like medical doctors.

To learn more about hypnotherapy, go to ASCH's website: http://www.asch.net/

Hypnotherapy has been the answer to nail biting for many people, but it is most effective when you learn more about it and take seriously the task of being a serious and responsible patient.

Best wishes!

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