Hypnotherapy FAQs
WHAT IS HYPNOSIS AND HYPNOTHERAPY?
Hypnotherapy is extremely useful and is recommended for moving a client forward often more swiftly and effectively than pure ‘talking’ therapy. Hypnosis is a heightened state of focus and suggestibility in which the body and conscious mind are in a relaxed, natural state while filtering out the peripheral distractions. Simultaneously, the subconscious mind remains very alert and receptive to positive suggestions for goal-based change. This state allows the hypnotherapist to access your subconscious mind where the positive change and transformation you desire for yourself can start to take place through the use of hypnotic suggestions.
It is helpful for changing unconscious habits and overcoming self destructive behaviour (as well as accessing past memories if one chooses). It does not rely on hours of analytical therapy in order to understand why one has a particular issue, although the subconscious mind very often reveals it itself as well and can be very illuminating and insightful. Hypnotherapy is solution focused and yet it often involves that enlightening ‘light bulb’ moment. It is conducive to short term therapy but can be offered as a part of longer term treatment.
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There is nothing strange or otherworldly about hypnotherapy and the client never looses control. It works by allowing communication between one’s subconscious and conscious mind and therefore accessing areas that one is often unaware of in our waking state. This not only reaches possible blockages or negative habitual patterns but also taps into wonderful abilities and strengths that lie dormant in one’s mind. It can be an exciting and profound way to understand and to accept oneself and move in the desired directions.
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All hypnosis is self-hypnosis and it can be extremely relaxing. Trance is a natural process and an ability that we all possess, for example when we immerse ourselves in a good movie. I teach self hypnosis to practise at home and this improves the experience and process.
Self Hypnosis is part of the process. I send you a music file for you to use at home on your phone, computer or tablet. If you do not have these I will give you a recording.
WHAT HYPNOSIS IS NOT
When most people hear the word "hypnosis" they think of swinging watches and the hypnotists telling someone to bark like a dog or cluck like a chicken on command. While that kind of hypnosis does exist, it is for the sole purposes of entertainment that you would find on the stages of a TV show.
This is very different from clinical hypnotherapy. You are completely alert and in full control of your mind and body while in the hypnotic state. You can hear, speak, and even walk around. Your body is relaxed and comfortable. You will never be asked to disclose any secrets or do anything you do not want to do. Hypnosis is strictly used as a healing tool.
DOES HYPNOTHERAPY REALLY WORK?
Absolutely. In recent years hypnosis and hypnotherapy have become accepted medical treatments to address a wide variety of issues and conditions. Researchers and professors in universities such as Stanford, Harvard, and Penn State, just to name a few, have conducted clinical studies in hypnosis and found that hypnosis does, in fact, alter the brain and can be used for a multitude of conditions. I have been extremely successful in using hypnotherapy to help my clients with a multitude of issues including improving self-confidence, helping them to stop smoking, achieving significant weight loss, reducing or even eliminating anxiety. Hypnotherapy is an extremely powerful and effective tool and its results are long-lasting.
HOW DOES HYPNO-THERAPY WORK?
When you are in a hypnotic state, your conscious mind has been relaxed. This allows the hypnotherapist to work directly with your subconscious mind. The subconscious mind holds all of our "programming", much like a computer. You can "know" in your conscious mind that you want to make a change and be determined to make that change, but if your "computer is programmed" to keep doing what you are doing it will be nearly impossible to make a lasting change unless you change the programming. That's precisely what hypnotherapy will accomplish. When you change the subconscious programming the behaviour follows.
WILL HYPNOTHERAPY WORK FOR MY SPECIFIC ISSUE?
There is a very high likelihood that hypnotherapy will work for your issue. It is almost impossible to list ALL the possible uses of hypnotherapy but it can be applied to anything we require to change.
WHAT HAPPENS IN THE FIRST HYPNOTHERAPY SESSION?
In the first session, we will go into detail discussing the issue or issues you want to focus on and what your goals are. You can ask me any questions you may have. We finish the session with some relaxing hypnosis.
The first session normally takes around 90 minutes. The next session will be designed specifically to use the information you have given me and we will work together using a variety of techniques to start resolving your problem.
If necessary a MP3 recording or CD will be provided as homework to listen to between sessions.
WHAT DOES HYPNOSIS FEEL LIKE?
Hypnosis is a very comfortable, peaceful and pleasant feeling. Your body is extremely relaxed but your mind is aware. You will feel a sense of rejuvenation, feel empowered and refreshed after a hypnotherapy session.
WILL I LOSE CONTROL OF MYSELF?
Absolutely not! Hypnotherapy is a way of giving you more control, not less. You cannot be hypnotized unwillingly, and you cannot be prompted to do something that is outside of your moral code or say or reveal anything you do not want to.
CAN I GET STUCK IN HYPNOSIS?
Hypnosis is a very comfortable, peaceful and pleasant feeling. Your body is extremely relaxed but your mind is aware. You will feel a sense of rejuvenation, feel empowered and refreshed after a hypnotherapy session.