General Information about Hypnotherapy – it’s not what you think!

Hypnosis goes deep, to the inner store-house of our beliefs and learned responses, which is why it has found wide acceptance in treating disorders such as over-eating and smoking. By getting where the addiction lies hypnosis can suppress the addiction and replace it with positive behavior. In its effectiveness, hypnosis has been compared to prayer, to which it is clinically nearly identical.

Contrary to popular belief, a Hypnotherapist cannot control you or make you do things against your will – neither would we want to! In Hypnotherapy you remain awake, aware and in control at all times. You are fully able to see, hear, talk and remember. In order to benefit from hypnotherapy, you need to be in a natural state of mind, which utilises the power of your focussed attention and imagination to help provide beneficial change.

Unlike Stage Hypnosis, which is for entertainment purposes, Hypnotherapy with me is entirely therapeutic. The aim is to help clients achieve their goals and to make their life more enjoyable.

Hypnotherapy can help you to get rid of unwanted habits, fears and phobias; help you to control weight; handle stress; boost self-esteem; overcome depression and many other problems that are of an emotional or psychological nature. It is a completely safe, relaxing and nurturing technique.

During this relaxed state, called ‘trance’, there is a heightened susceptibility to beneficial suggestion and a much improved memory with access to ‘forgotten’ or repressed memories stored in the unconscious of the mind. It is these qualities of the hypnotic state that can be readily used for therapeutic purposes. In itself the hypnotic state is very pleasant and my clients often liken it to feeling as if they have had an all over massage from the inside out!

While in a comfortable chair your hypnotherapist will help you to feel comfortable, and use an induction method to get your subconscious mind working optimally. This may be using relaxation, visualisation, or possibly a fast induction method.

Your hynotherapist may use language like

” Allow me to be your guide to Emotional Healing and Transformation,  as you are gently guided to a place within  yourself,  a beautiful state of hypnosis, feeling the physical relaxation and mental alertness. I will show you how to stay there until we are finished. If for any reason you do not want to be in this beautiful relaxed state, the slightest thought by you and you will immediately come back to your normal state of awareness. As you follow the sound of my voice, I will show you how to go even deeper into that peaceful state – then if you are ready and willing to accept the suggestions with your inner guide to help you…knowing it is going to work wonderfully to help you …. you will experience  the profound changes in your life the way you desire them. ….in a natural and normal way…”

If you are wondering how deep your trance state will be, it is useful to remember that very few people are able to go into a somnambulistic (very deep) state of hypnosis, and it is not required for most normal therapy. Trance depths vary, but usually only a light trance is sufficient for most healing work to be done.

Some people believe that only weak-minded or gullible people can be hypnotized. Nothing can be further from the truth! In fact, the reverse is true. The more intelligent and strong-willed individuals are generally more likely to benefit from hypnotherapy. Success with hypnosis has to do with your ability to listen, focus, and fully participate in the process.

See : Can YOU be hypnotised?

Your hypnotherapist can help you to: