Hypnotherapy

What is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnosis is a natural and harmless psychological phenomenon that many of us experience spontaneously in everyday life. It is a totally natural state similar to day dreaming or the period just before going to sleep. Maybe you have relaxed on a beach and felt yourself drifting off, not quite asleep and still able to hear the sounds around you, but also able to wake fully if you wanted. Hypnosis feels much like that, but can feel slightly different for each person.

Hypnotherapy, in a clinical sense, shouldn't be confused with the type of hypnotism used for entertainment purposes - the idea that hypnotism can be used as a controlling technique, forcing people to perform tasks against their will is a common misconception, and, with television and stage shows dedicated to suchlike, it is little wonder that hypnosis is occasionally misunderstood.

In a therapeutic environment, hypnosis can be a powerful tool allowing access to the subconscious and inducing an increased openness to suggestibility. Hypnotherapy depends entirely on co-operation between therapist and client and you cannot be forced to perform tasks against your will. You will be in control at all times and will probably be able to remember much of what was said during hypnosis afterwards. The hypnotherapist will usually guide you into a hypnotic state, or trance, by means of deep relaxation, both physically and mentally.

Whilst relaxed, it is possible to work with and transform the thoughts that lead to unwanted beliefs or habits, mostly using visualisation techniques and positive reinforcement, with the focus on beneficial, positive change for you. By inducing a gentle altered state of consciousness we work with the subconscious and as it accepts new suggestions it can let go of outdated patterns of beliefs, behaviours, thoughts and emotions and replace them with new perspectives and intentions that are in line with your goals.

Treatment usually begins with a consultation session to establish the issues you want to resolve. After this, you will be recommended a relevant course of therapy. When hypnotherapy is administered by a professionally trained and skilled Clinical Hypnosis Practitioner, the benefits can be long lasting and often permanent. It is sometimes successful when other, more conventional methods of treatment have failed. Most people feel a huge sense of relaxation during and following their sessions.

Here is a definition of Hypnotherapy provided by the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC)

Hypnotherapy is a skilled communication aimed at directing a person’s imagination in a way that helps elicit changes in some perceptions, sensations, feelings, thoughts and behaviours. In a typical hypnotherapy session the hypnotherapist and client will discuss the intended alterations or therapeutic goals desired. The hypnotherapist will ask questions about previous medical history, general health and lifestyle to decide on the best approach for the individual.

Hypnotherapy may be found to be helpful for those seeking relief from a range of problems and is used alongside a person’s own willpower and motivation to seek a desired goal. It is often used to help relieve anxiety, aid sleeping, help to address bedwetting, address attitudes to weight, and help clients achieve behavioural change to stop smoking. It may also help with minor skin conditions that are exacerbated by stress and confidence issues, and may also be used to enhance performance in areas such as sport and public speaking.

Hypnotherapy may help people to cope with and manage the relief of perceived pain. Hypnotherapy has also been used with both adults and children to help manage the pain associated with irritable bowel.

There is evidence to support its use in this condition for both adults and children and the National Institute for Health and Clinical Guidance (NICE) recommends the NHS should consider referring patients for hypnotherapy if their irritable bowel is persistent and has failed to respond to simple prescribed medicine.

The potentials of hypnotherapy are almost endless. Please contact me to discuss your requirements.

Here are some FAQs about Hypnotherapy.

Personalised recordings for use at home are also availabe as an optional extra: more information here.