Hypnotherapy utilizes this natural ability in the pursuit of goals and overcoming  obstacles.  It rests upon the idea that our unconscious mind contains the resources and abilities that we need to address our challenges.  The objective is to step away from our less effective ways of doing things, our "learned limitations," and make use of our deeper reservoir of wisdom and experience.


​The Ericksonian view of hypnosis is that hypnotic trance is a naturally occuring phenomenon that we all experience to some degree each and every day.  These are moments when our  thoughts and concerns are  relaxed, allowing greater attention to be given to our inner experience.  A daydream is one example of a natural trance state.