Hypnotherapy Explained

There are many misconceptions, doubts and even distrust about hypnotherapy. To help you better understand what is involved, let me explain a little bit about what hypnotherapy is and what it is not.

The very mention of the word hypnosis for many people, conjures up images of volunteers to stage hypnotists made helpless fools of themselves to the enjoyment and merriment of the audience, or conversely of something magical and mystical that bends the minds of subjects to the total control of the hypnotist.

Well let me put your mind at rest.

If people on stage act to make others laugh, it’s probably because they have a latent desire to do so anyway and such people are probably the life and soul of the party jokesters once a few drinks have suppressed their inhibitions.

As for the other belief, this is totally false. Under hypnosis, the subject is totally aware of what is being said to them and what they are doing. A person under hypnosis cannot be made to do anything that conflicts with their beliefs or values.

What is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy comprises two elements; hypnosis and therapy.

In hypnosis the subject is not unconscious or asleep. They are in an altered state of awareness. They are in a trance. More importantly, the hypnotic trance is a totally natural state of mind and one we enter involuntarily many times a day. It manifests itself in daydreaming, in that lovely warm relaxed state between sleep and wakefulness at least twice a day (for most people) and how often have you driven a well known route and wondered when you arrived, just how you got there because you can’t remember the journey? Answer: your subconscious took over.

The hypnotic trance is also known as psychosomatic sleep or the hypnogogic state. There is no special feeling of being 'under hypnosis', just a feeling of deep relaxation.

The second part, the therapy is where the hypnotherapist first establishes the root cause or objective of the client then devises an appropriate therapy. The hypnotherapist induces a state of relaxation (the trance) whereby the subject allows the therapist to communicate directly with the subject’s sub-conscious to deliver the therapy. It is not even always necessary for the subject to be in a deep trance for therapy to be effective for many issues.

Many people ask "Can I be hypnotised?" or say "I can't be hypnotised", some out of uncertainty, some out of fear or distrust. You may well doubt that you can be hypnotised.

Well, most people can be if they want to be – people can’t be hypnotised against their will any more than they can be made to do things they really don’t want to do. The people who can’t are generally the very young, the elderly or those without the capability to concentrate and use their imagination and some because they make their mind up not to be hypnotised.

The key is that you have to be willing to be hypnotised and agree to it.

How effective is hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is acknowledged as a very effective therapy for non-organic problems. The client though, has to want to make that change, because hypnosis cannot make clients do things against their will! Please see ‘Your Need’ to get a flavour of what we can help with.

The most frequently asked questions or concerns about hypnotherapy sessions are:

How many hypnotherapy sessions will be required?

This depends on the nature of the issue. Simple issues may be resolved in a single session, more complex or deep seated issues could take a number of sessions.

I’m shy/worried and don’t want to come on my own.

This is perfectly natural and not a problem. Clients are welcome to bring a friend or member of their family. In fact this is encouraged where the client is female or a youngster. Warn your companion that they may have a very relaxing time as well.

Can people get stuck in hypnosis?

The answer is no. If you are really enjoying the process you may resist coming back out of trance, or you may just go to sleep during the session. In any event, you will come out naturally just as you would wake up or come out of a daydream.

If you would like to find out more, please feel free to contact me.

"We all have the ability. The difference is how we use it." Stevie Wonder

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