"Denise" recently took a relaxing trip above the clouds.

The Lancaster woman, who asked that her real name not be used, wasn't in an airplane but was seated on a couch in Conestoga.

Denise was taking a journey in her mind while undergoing hypnosis therapy to help her cope with anxiety and stress.

During the recent session, hypnotherapist Roger Willard led Denise through deep-breathing exercises then verbally coaxed her into relaxing.

Using only his voice, Willard then prompted Denise to picture herself in a comfortable place where she could block out all distractions.

The 52-year-old mother imagined lying on her back, floating lazily above the clouds.

"Enjoy the feeling because you are in control," Willard told her. "You are there. It's good to relax. Just stay there for a while."

He then urged Denise to unburden her mind of her problems, and the two of them discussed her conflicted feelings about one of her children, who is moving out of the house.

Twenty minutes later, Willard brought Denise out of her trance and asked her how she felt.

"Relaxed," she responded. "Very relaxed."

Mission accomplished.

Before coming to Willard in January, Denise was prone to feeling sad or angry — a reaction to problems within her family. For years, she had found it difficult to relax, despite taking medication for anxiety and receiving emotional counseling.

Today, after four hypnotherapy sessions, Denise said she feels like a different person.

"All I know is the mess I was in when I first came in here is gone, and it hasn't come back," she said.

Hypnosis has long been associated with stage shows — think of the stereotypical swinging watch and a subject doing wacky things on stage — and weight-loss or smoking-cessation programs.

But hypnosis therapy, or "hypnotherapy," also can be used to help people cope with chronic pain, skin disorders, phobias, stress, anxiety and other maladies.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, hypnotherapy is effective in reducing fear and anxiety associated with medical and dental procedures and appears to help decrease pain for burn patients and speed their healing.

Hypnosis also may help people with cancer who are experiencing anxiety, pain and stress, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Studies indicate that 75 percent to 90 percent of people are susceptible to hypnotic suggestion, according to Prevention magazine.

Clients often can see improvements after only a few sessions, proponents say.

For Denise, it took only one session with Willard for her to start feeling better.

"The anger is gone, and I am more relaxed," she said. "I think I look at things a little differently now to appreciate the positive rather than just dwelling on the negative."

What is hypnosis?

Hypnosis, also called hypnotherapy or hypnotic suggestion, is a mental state similar to sleep, usually achieved with the help of a hypnotherapist. It is designed to help a person gain more control over his or her behavior or emotional well-being. When under hypnosis, a person's attention is more focused, he or she is deeply relaxed, less critical or disbelieving and more open to suggestions.

Hypnotherapy uses

• Improve intimacy for couples



• Reduce or eliminate anxiety, stress or phobias



• Change negative behaviors, such as smoking, overeating and bed-wetting



• Improve performance in academics, athletics, public speaking



• Lower blood pressure



• Control nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy



• Reduce frequency or intensity of migraines and headaches



• Treat and ease symptoms of asthma



• Manage chronic pain



• Control pain during surgical and dental procedures and childbirth



• Hasten the healing of skin diseases

Myths about hypnosis

1. You surrender your free will when you undergo hypnosis.
   Reality: You don't lose your personality, free will or personal strength during hypnosis.



2. The hypnotherapist controls you.
   Reality: A person voluntarily undergoes hypnosis. The therapist serves only as a guide.



3. You lose consciousness and experience amnesia under hypnosis.
    Reality: A small number of people who go into a deep hypnotic state experience amnesia; most people remember everything that occurred.

Hypnotherapy fees/insurance

• $65 to $195 per session, which can last from 50 minutes to 3 hours



• Most sessions are not covered by health insurance, unless the person is referred by a physician or hypnotherapy is provided in conjunction with traditional psychological counseling.

Sources: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research/local hypnotherapists

E-mail: bwallace@lnpnews.com