> I have seen research that used a PET scan to scan the brain in hypnosis and out of hypnosis. Those researchers determined that hypnosis was real based on different areas of the brain being used in different ways and to answer different questions.

'Those supporting the altered state theory often cite studies that show that during hypnosis (1) the brain’s electrical states change and (2) brain waves differ from those during waking consciousness. The critics of the mythical view point out that these facts are irrelevant to establishing hypnosis as an altered state of consciousness. One might as well call daydreaming, concentrating, imagining the color red, or sneezing altered states, since the experience of each will show electrical changes in the brain and changes in brain waves from ordinary waking consciousness'.

http://skepdic.com/hypnosis.html

> It is my belief and profession opinion that if someone truly wants to quit smoking and believes that they will quit with hypnosis then it will work. If they truly believe they will quit with the patch or pills. Then they will quit. I believe that nothing changes until you change your mind.

Right. Therapy can be useful in that it adresses the meta-issue of 'I want to want to stop smoking but I really don't want to stop smoking'. aka: How on earth can I change my mind?

> You just seem to be lacking faith in hypnosis as a tool to help your clients.

We seem to have slightly different notions of hypnosis. You use the term broadly to cover such things as progressive muscle relaxation and imagery. The majority of therapists DO use such techniques to help with anxiety and sleep and the like. I don't have an objection to those strategies. When it comes to hypnosis for remembering traumatic experiences, however, then I am very skeptical indeed. I also think that while progressive muscle relaxation and the like can be helpful they don't get at the underlying issues.

I understand why you refer to yourself as a hypnotherapist rather than a hypnotist (to distance yourself from hypnosis used for entertainment). I do have some difficulty with calling oneself a hypnotherapist when one isn't a lisenced therapist... But I do see that there isn't really another term in the vicinity. So long as clients know that one is trained as a hypnotist rather than a therapist then I guess it doesn't matter.