WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I HAVE HYPNOTHERAPY?

Hypnotherapy is always a one-on-one therapy, and the first thing  I do is to take a case history. This helps to define the nature of the problem or issue, and the steps needed to deal with it.

The case history is very important as it gives client time to build rapport with and trust in the therapist, and also time to quietly think –in a non-judgemental atmosphere—about the issues they want to resolve.

It is useful for the therapist, who can quietly observe the client and listen to him/her in an empathetic way, and evaluate the treatment needed.

Once the case history is completed, the explanation of treatment discussed, and any “homework” that client must do, when the client is feeling more comfortable  then trance is induced.

By listening to the therapist’s voice, the client is led to a state where mind and body are both relaxed and ready to make new mental associations and connections. Then a deeper state of relaxation is used where the unconscious mind will work with the therapist to induce beneficial changes.

Through all of this the client is always in control, and can come out of trance whenever they wish. It is rare for anyone to do so.

When the session ends, there is usually time left to ask questions, or to discuss any thing experienced while in  the relaxed hypnotic state.

Through all of this the therapist is helping you to use the unacknowledged, incredible hidden power of  your mind to achieve the things you want:-- to relax, to stop smoking, control weight, control stress, gain confidence and happiness, to find release from anxiety, or panic or phobia.

HOW DOES HYPNOSIS WORK?

Current thinking is that the hypnotic state alters consciousness by suppressing the function of the analytical Left-hand side of the brain, and allowing non-analytical, holistic, intuitive Right hand brain to become more alert. In this way the conscious control of the “every day mind” is inhibited, and the unconscious mind is awoken. As the unconscious mind is deeper seated and more instinctive than the conscious it is this that needs to change its perceptions in order to allow change to take place.

Progress can only be made by reprogramming the unconscious so that deep-rooted instincts and beliefs are altered or abolished.

“LETTING YOUR MIND WANDER WORKS WONDERS”

This is a précis of a brief article that appeared in the Daily Mail on 2nd September 2008.

As a result of research carried out by the University of East Anglia, and backed up by other research at  the University of California, on the effect of day-dreaming on children’s imagination, it was discovered that “daydreaming is good for you”! It lets your mind wander, and in doing so it makes new associations and connections.

What we do as hypnotherapists  allows you to do this at a deeper and more structured level. During hypnotherapy (or a daydream) your thoughts really are unbounded !!

What is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy has been used since 1700’s as a therapeutic tool.

Franz Anton Mesmer “released blockages” and achieved good results with patients who had nervous problems.

James Esdaile--- a Scottish surgeon working with the British Army in Calcutta in the 19^th century, by using hypnosis on his patients before operating in very insalubrious conditions, reduced the mortality rate from 50% to 5%.

In 1955, the BMA (British Medical Association) declared that hypnosis was a verifiable and useful tool, and it is used in some sections of the NHS.

It is also recognised in America by the AMA.

There are some major misconceptions about Hypnotherapy, and here are a few:

I will go asleep. You wont. (Unless you are very tired).

I will forget.      You won’t ( you may “drift off” and remember parts)

I will tell my deepest secrets. (you won’t--unless you choose to)

I will suffer side effects. (yes, but good ones. Relaxation, mood lift, catharthis-- which is the release of pent-up emotions)

Hypnotherapy will not  be effective if the client has been coaxed to attend by a third party, e.g. “my wife/husband/mother wants me to stop smoking/lose weight/ fly to America”.

In hypnotherapy, you do not relinquish your “will” to the therapist. You can, if you want, come out of trance at any time.

It is a very relaxing therapy, and if you have a lot of stress in your life, you can be taught self-hypnosis, in order to access this relaxation at a time that suits you.