What is hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a natural state with heightened focus and concentration to the subconscious. The analytical, critical, conscious part of your mind becomes relaxed and distracted. Therefore, allowing the subconscious to be more open and receptive to communication, creative thinking and accepting positive changes to beliefs and behaviours. We all enter a form of hypnosis regularly and naturally in day-to-day life. For example when you are doing something that is second nature such as walking or driving a familiar journey.
Am I in control?
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.You remain in full control during hypnosis. Hypnotherapy is very different to what you may have seen with stage hypnosis. Take the example of experiencing a hypnotic trance whilst driving. It can be concerning when you realise that you can’t recall the last mile of your journey however in that time you drove perfectly well. That is because the behaviour of driving is a learned behaviour and your subconscious took control allowing your conscious to drift, wherever you needed to drift to. When required for you to make a conscious decision or action your conscious brain quickly acts. In hypnotherapy your subconscious is more susceptible to accepting positive thoughts and ideas to update or change beliefs and behaviours however, if the suggestions are not inline with your goals you will simple reject them or your conscious will reactivate to bring you out of trance.
What is the conscious and subconscious?
The way I like to explain it is to think of the mind as an iceberg. The section above the water, the tip of the iceberg, is the conscious mind. It’s highly logical, critical and it gathers and analyses information. The conscious mind is where our willpower resides. Unfortunately, changing habits by pure willpower alone can sometimes be difficult. Below the water line is the subconscious mind which is like a computer program constantly running in the background. The subconscious is less logical, which is why dreams sometimes don’t make sense. Imagery, feelings, and emotions are the language for the subconscious mind. The subconscious sorts and stores vast amounts of information, forming our long-term memory and performs behind-the-scenes work. The subconscious holds our beliefs and learned behaviours. The subconscious contains what brain scientists refer to as the reality generator, which creates the reality we perceive and feel around us. This is why we all experience the world differently. The subconscious' primary purpose is to protect you, and warn you of danger be it physical or psychological. Beneath the subconscious is the unconscious, which regulates our immune system and automatic body functions like heartbeat, breathing and blinking.
Why is changing beliefs and behaviours not always as simple as just deciding to do so?
Firstly, because beliefs are stored in the subconscious, you may not be consciously aware of them. Nevertheless, these influence your responses, and behaviours. The subconscious will form associations and similarities in a situation to something previously experienced. This is to aid you in your response. However sometimes those associations are incorrect and therefore the response may be disproportional and or unhelpful. Secondly, considering the iceberg analogy the water line that divides the conscious and subconscious is a boundary called the critical factor. This boundary serves as a gatekeeper to prevent potentially dangerous ideas from penetrating the subconscious. The critical factor and the conscious mind work in tandem to critically evaluate thoughts and experiences from your daily life and make short-term decisions. Unfortunately, the critical factor can sometimes do its job too well and prevent good ideas from reaching the subconscious as well. That’s because the subconscious acts to protect you. All beliefs and behaviours were formed to serve you well and or protect you, at least initially. Every belief, behaviour or habit will have had a beneficial reason for you and the subconscious will hold onto these in protection even after the benefits have passed, are no longer required and may even be detrimental to you.
How can Hypnotherapy help?
As hypnosis distracts the conscious critical mind and bypasses the critical faculty the subconscious is more accessible. The application of hypnotherapy is very individual and is dependent on several factors to be discussed with the client from assessment and throughout the treatment plan. In brief, hypnosis can be used in two ways, as suggestion therapy or for client analysis. Suggestion therapy – The subconscious mind is more readily accessible to accept and respond to positive suggestions. Providing these suggestions are aligned with the positive change you seek. Therefore, Hypnotherapy can help some people change certain behaviours, beliefs, and habits and to learn new coping strategies. This is particularly useful in changing or stopping habits and in the perception of pain. For stress, anxiety and self-esteem issues, suggestion therapy can help a client master their own calm and change behaviours that may be impacting their symptoms such as self-defeating behaviours. Analysis – this approach uses the relaxed state to explore psychological root courses of a belief, symptom, or to reprocess memories. Once these root courses are identified the insight allows change to take place. This is useful with phobias, traumatic events, or where presenting issues or symptoms are reoccurring. Hypnoanalysis would include identifying initial sensitising event in phobias. Or using inner child therapy where beliefs are rooted to childhood.
Can you make me cluck like a chicken?
In short....No! Well Maybe!...If you want to experience a hypnotic trance with the goal to cluck like a chicken when requested, then yes. But if that's not your purpose for therapy then NO!... For two reasons... Firstly ethics, and secondly, because as it's not what you want your subconscious will reject the suggestion and your conscious will likely reactivate. The same is true if you are not ready to explore something in your subconscious. Remember, you remain in full control and I uphold an ethical and moral framework to act in your best interests at all times.
How many session will I need?
This is a common question and there is no one for all answer. Depending on the person and the problem, it truly can vary. Every client, every issue, and every hypnotherapy session is unique. As a general rule, the majority of clients I work with for a single issue require three to six sessions. This can be discussed in your consultation appointment and revisited throughout treatment.
Will I remember everything?
This again is very individual and depends on the depth of hypnosis. There are three stages of hypnosis that relate to the speed of brain waves. These are alpha, theta and delta. What depth of trance achieved is individual to the client and may be dependent on the type of treatment required. Most clients remember part if not the entire session. Don't worry there is no right or wrong experience. If you can remember everything it may feel as though very little changed however you were still in hypnosis. This relaxed first stage of hypnosis is sufficient to make powerful positive changes in your life. In contrast when you don't remember your session it can feel as though you have fallen asleep. This is not the case, it just means that you entered a deeper stage of hypnosis, the delta stage. Even though you're not paying attention to what the therapist is saying when you're in delta, your subconscious mind is, and the hypnotic ideas are received and implemented by your mind. When guided to by the therapist you come out of hypnosis.
I don't think I can be hypnotised...
That is completely down to you. No one can be hypnotised against their will, so if you want to resist you can. Allowing yourself is important as all hypnosis is self hypnosis and you can bring yourself back to full awareness at any time.
Is hypnotherapy safe for anyone?
Hypnotherapy is a safe and affective form of therapy for all age groups when practiced by a qualified and ethical therapist. There are certain contradictions that would mean that hypnotherapy would not be beneficial or needs to be used with additional care. Anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol will not be treated with hypnotherapy. Certain medications and illnesses including epilepsy, diabetes, diagnosed depression, and certain heart medications may require GP's consent before continuing treatment. This does not give the therapist access to your medical records. Hypnotherapy is not beneficial for someone with a psychosis unless used as part of a wider treatment plan by a fully qualified and experience psychiatrist with hypnotherapy qualifications.
Are there any risks to hypnotherapy?
Therapy can be a challenging journey and if there is any major or significant issues in your past or present such as a loss or a trauma then these can arise during or after a hypnotic session. No matter what your reason for presenting to therapy is I will carry out a comprehensive case history with you, discussing many aspects of your life. This enables me to taylor your hypnotherapy sessions personally to you and I will discuss anything with you that I feel may need to be considered.
Are there any side affects to hypnosis?
Following hypnotherapy, there are a variety of beneficial side effects that get better as the days and weeks pass, such as relaxation, sound sleep, and increased confidence and self-esteem. Some people may feel a little drowsy immediately afterwards however this will pass. I recommend taking a few deep breaths, a drink of water and some fresh air. Some people may experience low mood as a result of the mind working through problems and issues therapeutically, however this is often followed by an upward journey of positivity.
What will happen in a session?
In my therapy room I have a large therapy sofa where you can make yourself comfortable. During hypnosis some clients like to remain seated, and some prefer to line down, this is completely up to you. Your first session will be a 90-minute assessment session. This enables me to conduct a full consultation and assessment with you and may leave time for you to experience a relaxation hypnosis. I will facilitate our discussion by asking appropriate questions to give me an understanding of what is going on for you and what your goals are. I may ask some questions that may not seem relevant to your reason for seeking therapy, these are purely for me to get as much understanding of what has been going on for you as possible. You will have plenty of time to discuss everything you wish with me, ask any questions, and address any concerns you may have. Often clients feel nervous and may experience a release of emotions and this is okay. Your therapy is for you. We will discuss if a hypnotherapy plan may be beneficial to you and should we have time there is an opportunity for you to experience a relaxation hypnosis for 20 minutes. During a standard session I will begin by giving you the opportunity to feedback to me on how you are feeling, any changes since our last session and anything else you may want to share with me. The talking part of the session may last between 15 and 60 minutes. The hypnosis part of a session can last 20 to 50 minutes depending on what we are working on and the time. For standard sessions I offer 60 minutes and 90 minutes. Some clients like to book an extended session to allow for more time in talking through feedback, experiences and progress whilst still leaving enough time for hypnosis. Occasionally something significant may have happened since your last session and exploring this in discussion is more beneficial than continuing work in hypnosis treatment. In which case you may have a session where no hypnosis is carried out however, the therapeutic process of exploring new events and feelings is beneficial to your continued progress and treatment. Practical homework may be given for you to complete between sessions, these may be practical tasks, or it may be to listen to hypnosis downloads provided to you. Carrying out any homework between sessions is an important part of your therapeutic journey.
What if I don't want to tell you something?
That's fine, I cannot make you tell me anything in or out of hypnosis however, it is worth considering why you don't want me to know something. I am not here to pass judgment nor advise. I will listen to everything from a professional objective. The more open you are, the more I am able to assist you in working through your challenges to achieve your goals. There may be a link with something that is not obvious to you. Equally if you were to tell me something that you were not ready or wanting to address at this time that is your choice. You choose if you want to deal with the past or focus on moving forward. I may advise that results and successes may be limited by leaving something unprocessed however, we may be able to work initially on building your resources, your assurances, confidence and security to then revisit that thing more positively and comfortably .
Hypnotherapy FAQ's
“Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune.”