Hypnosis for Passing Exams
Is it hard to relax before and during exams?
Do you think you have "blocks" to success?
Are you anxious about passing your exams?
Do you freeze up at test time?
Do you lose your focus?
These are all very common and normal reactions to the anticipation of taking critical tests and examinations. My approach to helping students get past their "internal" barriers is to provide individualized attention and instruction, based upon each persons needs, in a safe and trusting environment.
My primary technique for facilitating success with test or sport performance, is to use hypnosis and strategies to help reach the following goals:
- Learn how to let go of tension and relax
- Relieve stress and anxiety
- Feel more in control
- Address fears and concerns
- Sharpen focus and concentration
- Tune out distractions
- Improve learning, memory and recall
- Utilize imagery to produce a positive mind set
- Build self confidence
- Utilize your internal and external support systems
What is hypnosis?
Briefly stated, hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness where the person's focus of attention is concentrated or narrowed. I refer to this as "focused concentration." Hypnosis often allows us to influence autonomic and physiologic processes, promote healing and to influence behaviors, attitudes, cognitions, perceptions, emotions and memory. In this altered state, a "suggestion" is accepted and responded to on a non-critical level. Conscious activity becomes reduced and the unconscious part of the mind becomes more active.
We believe that hypnosis is facilitative because it allows us to more fully secure and focus the person's attention on ideas and motivations. It also appears that hypnosis facilitates the more rapid evolutions of a relaxed and trusting therapeutic relationship.
Hypnosis is actually self-hypnosis, which allows a person to be more active in the therapeutic process and to utilize their innate capacity for cognitive control, giving them a feeling of greater personal involvement and mastery. Simply put, in self-hypnosis you give yourself your own suggestions, that I help you to formulate, and teach you to take in and utilize.
Will hypnosis be beneficial?
We believe that hypnosis will be optimally effective when the person is highly motivated to overcome a problem, and when the hypnotherapist is well trained in both hypnosis and in general considerations relating to the treatment of the particular problem.
Please keep in mind that hypnosis is like any other therapeutic modality — it is of major benefit to some people with some problems, and it also fails, just like any other clinical method. For this very reason, we emphasize that we are not "hypnotists," but health care professionals who use hypnosis along with other techniques of our profession.
It is always my goal to establish a warm and trusting therapeutic relationship with each person prior to the hypnotic work, which undoubtedly will be more helpful and provide an optimum atmosphere for success.
Answering common questions about hypnosis:
I always do a thorough interview initially, as it is vitally important to educate, answer any questions and address any fears or misconceptions about the nature of hypnosis. Some potential questions often asked are:
Describe hypnosis? It can be defined as a state of inner absorption, concentration and focused attention. This altered state of consciousness is like using a magnifying glass in the sun—when the rays of the sun are focused, they are more powerful. Similarly, when our mind is concentrated and focused, we are able to use more of our potential and more of the power of our mind. In this sense, learning hypnosis is the ultimate in a self-control skill, rather that being out of control.
Will I lose control? Absolutely not. In hypnosis you are not under anyone's control, except your own. Again, all hypnosis is really self-hypnosis. That is, it is not something imposed upon you, but something you yourself do, and I will serve as a facilitator to guide you. I will never ask you to do anything that you don't want to do.
Will I lose consciousness or have amnesia? The majority of people remember everything that occurs in hypnosis. You will be in a very relaxed state and you are consciously aware of everything going on around you.
What if I have more questions? Actually, I am certain you will, so when we meet initially, I will answer what ever questions you may have, and, anytime along the way as we are working together.
How often do we meet and how do we get started? Ideally, for test exams, I like to meet a minimum of 8 weeks prior to your exam or event. That will give us a good amount of time for you to learn about hypnosis, self-hypnosis and, especially, about yourself relevant to test taking. I then want to meet one time after your exam to discuss your experience. To get started, you can contact me to arrange a time for a complimentary 20-minute phone consultation and begin the process toward reaching your goals.
Hypnosis is a useful tool for a number of issues. I work with students on test preparation for licensure exams in the fields or related fields listed below, plus, sport performance, which can have similar challenges to success:
- Psychology
- Medicine/Health care
- Law
- CPA/Accounting/Financial
- Engineering
- Real Estate
My goal for you is to pass your exams, or perform optimally in your sport by sharpening your mental game. Your responsibility is to be motivated, optimistic, open minded, and really see yourself succeeding.
Together we will look at any obstacles that may be getting in your way to achieve the success you are working so tenaciously for.
I welcome your call to talk about your needs, answer your questions and set up an appointment. I can be reached at (310) 289-4643. That's right!
To find what you seek on the road of life, the best proverb that pertains is that which says, "Leave no stone unturned." by Edward Bulwer Lytton.