Thanks to movies, books and television, there are many misconceptions about hypnosis. Most people don’t realize how effective this natural tool can be for improving negative thought patterns, perceptions and behaviors, says Peggy Hyde, Ph.D., a certified consulting hypnotist based in Fort Walton.

“Hypnosis is noninvasive, non-habit-forming and completely natural,” says Hyde, known as “Dr. Peggy” to her clients. “It can  positively affect many phases of a person’s life, including their creativity, health, energy and prosperity.”

During hypnosis, a person becomes highly sensitive to suggestions—“like your whole body is asleep except your ears,” she says. The senses become very sharp, and the person seems to follow instruction in an uncritical, automatic fashion, responding only to aspects of their environment made relevant by the hypnotist. 

“When the person is profoundly responsive, they hear, see, feel, smell and taste with the suggestions given,” Hyde says. “Once a garbage truck stopped outside the open window of my office—the smell was just horrible—so I suggested to my hypnotized client the fragrance of her favorite flowers was filling the air. Later she told me how she was in a flower garden with the most beautiful-smelling pink roses. The power of the mind is awesome.”

Hyde likes to think of hypnosis as a method of programming a negative mind to a positive one.

“It’s neither sleep nor unconsciousness—it’s not giving up control,” she says. “It’s actually an altered state of highly focused consciousness in which the conscious mind is bypassed and access is achieved directly to the subconscious mind.”  

‘All Hypnosis Is Self-Hypnosis’

Hyde notes that all hypnosis is self-hypnosis; a certified consulting hypnotist simply leads the client there. 

She describes the case of a musician who came to her wanting help with writer’s block. They explored his subconscious mind, changing his way of thinking about his writing and performing, and then she taught him self-hypnosis “and away he went,” she recalls. “Within a year he wrote his songs, played the music and cut a CD. He even played with Willie Nelson.”  

Recently he thanked Hyde for teaching him advanced self-hypnosis, saying he still uses the technique, especially before he performs, and he’s been playing the best he ever has.  

Hypnosis can also create the positive attitude necessary for healing, Hyde adds.

“It’s known that if you see a certified consulting hypnotist before surgery and listen to a hypnosis healing CD afterwards, you’ll heal a lot faster than if you didn’t,” she says. “If you can make yourself sick and unhappy, why not make yourself healthy and happy?”  

Whether they’re physical, mental or behavioral, the changes Hyde has seen clients make under hypnosis have been miraculous, she says. 

“I’ve seen ailments reversed, students’ learning abilities increase, children’s school behavior improve, births happen in one hour, even improved golf games,” she says. 

Whatever the focus—from heightened athletic and creative ability to weight management, stress reduction and relaxation—hypnosis is a natural tool for improving work and everyday life.  

Peggy Hyde, Ph.D., offers monthly self-hypnosis classes as well as personal sessions in the Fort Walton Beach area. For appointments, call 850-902-9066.