What is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy may be quite alien and a new experience for you. So, below are a few questions and answers that might help you with any queries you may have.

What is hypnotherapy and how does it work?

It is a trance state characterised by extreme suggestibility, relaxation and heightened imagination. It’s not really like sleep, because the subject is alert the whole time. It is most often compared to daydreaming, or the feeling of “losing yourself” in a book or movie. You are fully conscious, but you tune out most of the stimuli around you. You focus intently on the subject at hand, to the near exclusion of any other thought.

How many sessions will I need?

It really can depend on the person and the issue. Every person and every problem is different, and so is every course of hypnotherapy. As a general guideline, most people I see for a single issue have between three and six sessions. These may be anywhere from one to four weeks apart, depending on the work we’ve done and the nature of the problems.Please feel free to contact me or to book a free information and consultation session to discuss your particular situation. No pressure will be put on you to follow this with paid therapy sessions.

The role of the Conscious and Subconscious mind?

The conscious mind is pretty simple to understand. It is your thinking mind. It is the part of your mind that you are using to read this right now. It is analytical, logical and intelligent. It is essentially the captain of your ship, taking in information, making decisions and delivering commands.However… in order for these commands to take place, they must first get through to your subconscious mind. Which is great… because once they do get through, your subconscious mind loves to follow orders, loves to please, and loves to help your conscious mind (the captain) achieve its goals.There is one little hitch… You see, there is a barrier between your conscious mind and your subconscious mind known as the critical factor (some call this the gatekeeper), and this critical factor will not allow anything to pass through that doesn’t match up with what is already stored away as truth in your subconscious mind.

So now, a little more about your subconscious mind…

Your subconscious mind is, perhaps, the greatest computer ever designed… Besides controlling and regulating your entire autonomic nervous system; that would be your heartbeat, your breathing, your organs, pretty much your entire bodily systems… all of your beliefs, thoughts, ideas and feelings are stored away in your subconscious mind.Everything you’ve ever seen, heard, thought or felt is stored away in your subconscious mind – even if your perception of what you’d seen, heard, thought or felt was incorrect… You see, unlike your conscious mind, your subconscious mind isn’t an intelligent mind, as in analytical, logical and investigative… therefore, your subconscious mind doesn’t understand humour, nor does it question anything that it’s given… it simply takes everything in as the absolute truth… and these absolute truths become your belief system.Fortunately, none of us are stuck with our default programming and there are a number of tools available, including Hypnosis and to help reprogram our belief systems.

With hypnosis, we temporarily move that gate that lies between the conscious mind and the subconscious mind aside, allowing the subconscious mind to be the dominate mind for the moment, free to absorb new improved ideas and free to let go of old worn out ideas and beliefs that no longer serve us.

Who can use hypnotherapy?

If you couldn’t go into hypnosis, you wouldn’t be able to sleep, to learn, or get nervous through ‘negative’ self hypnosis; you know, when you imagine things going wrong and it makes you feel anxious? Well that’s self hypnosis! Most people can safely use hypnotherapy However, there are some contradictions where hypnosis should be used with care.Hypnosis is not generally recommended if you:

 

  • have a history of epilepsy or epileptic seizures
  • have a recent history of hospitalisation for eating disorders
  • have a diagnosis of any psychotic illness
  • have insulin dependent diabetes
  • have a history of suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts
  • you use or are addicted to ‘hard’ drugs

You may need your GP’s approval to use hypnotherapy if:

  • you take or are prescribed certain medications
  • you are currently suffering from depression
  • you have diabetes but do not need to take insulin
  • you have other issues with your physical or mental health

If you are not sure if this applies to you, please email me in confidence and ask.

Can I be hypnotised to do or say something against my will?

The answer is NO; I use hypnotherapy in a therapy setting not for entertainment value. Hypnosis is a very safe procedure if properly and responsibly used. You will never be forced to do anything. Hypnotherapy is not mind control, just a deeply relaxed state. You are always in control. All hypnosis is self-hypnosis, the therapist can only guide you.

How does it feel to be hypnotised?

Every person is unique and different. Some people say that their body feels like a lead weight, others say they feel as though they’re floating away. Most people will agree that it’s a lovely feeling because they are more relaxed that they have ever been before.

Are there any side effects from hypnosis?

The only side effects are the beneficial ones of feeling more relaxed afterwards and feeling more positive about whatever it was you sought hypnotherapy for. Hypnosis is a perfectly natural state.

How can I check if a Hypnotherapist is qualified?

Hypnotherapists must belong to a professional association (e.g The Professional Hypnotherapy Practitioner Association or the Hypnotherapy Society.) In order to be eligible for Professional Indemnity Insurance. Often you can check on their website to see if your Hypnotherapist is listed on their members page or use their contact form or telephone number to request verification.

I went to a hypnotherapist once before and it didn’t work. Does this mean I’m not able to be hypnotised?

The most common reason for failure to induce trance is lack of rapport. To overcome this problem, make a few free initial consultations with different therapists and choose one that you instinctively trust.

Will I remember everything afterwards?

That depends how deep in hypnosis you are, but generally most people do remember either everything or certain parts of the experience. You will find that suggestions which have been given to you in hypnosis will resurface in your conscious, thinking mind after your hypnosis session and these will be the thoughts that produce changes in your behaviour or way of thinking and feeling.