Hypnosis has been recognised as a form of therapy since the mid 19th century.
Hypnotherapy is used to initiate a state of hypnosis which creates a heighten state of awareness, also known as a trance like state to help facilitate behavioural and emotional change within a person.
Hypnosis is really a natural state of mind and is apparent in our everyday life. Our mind may wander or daydreams or is focused on something else when we are performing familiar tasks and it can be induced in a number of different ways, for example: driving a car on a familiar route and arriving at your destination without being fully aware of how you got there as you may be focused on other things. Watching a film or reading a book you are being transported into a state of hypnosis. Anything that is repetitive and performed on a daily basis we will often do this in a trance like state, in other words we perform these tasks without consciously thinking about them. The purpose of working with a client in the trancelike state is that you are working with the unconscious part of the mind where behavioural and emotional change occurs.
How does it work?
During the use of hypnosis, a client may feel a deep sense of relaxation, that feeling that you experience when you are drifting off to sleep or in the dreamy/drowsy state. You are aware but not completely focused, you may have a simple conversation but not remember talking afterwards. When used for therapeutic approaches such as to quit smoking or manage weight loss then specific suggestions and images are given to the client throughout a session and this helps them to facilitate permanent change in behaviour in a positive way, increasing the possibility of successfully making the lasting changes that you desire.
What happens during a hypnosis session?
At the initial session the therapist will take a detailed history and identify any goals, she will then talk about how the sessions will proceed. The therapist will use guided imagery and be softly spoken to help you feel relaxed and safe. When the client has achieved deep relaxation and a more receptive state, the therapist will provide suggestions using guided visualisation that could help you to reach your goals. Throughout the session the client is able to talk with the therapist, has her own free will and is able to implement any suggestions that he/or she feels comfortable with.
At all times the client is in control, there are many misconceptions about hypnosis which should be dispelled. The technique does not involve the client being put into a deep sleep, they may feel very relaxed but the client cannot be made to do anything without being totally congruent with it. They remain fully aware of their surroundings and situation, and are not vulnerable to every given suggestion made by the therapist. The important thing is that the client wants to change some behaviour or habit and is highly motivated to do so. They have to want the treatment to work and must commit 100%, establishing trust and a good rapport with the therapist first.
Some people find that just one hypnotherapy session is sufficient, and others may need several sessions depending on what you hope to achieve.
Areas where Hypnotherapy may help you:
Hypnotherapy can be applied to many psychological, emotional and physical disorders. It is used in many ways from pain control to helping people to overcome addictions such as smoking, alcoholism, eating disorders and many other problems such as:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Bereavement
- Post-Traumatic stress
- Anger management
- Weight management
- Self-esteem, Confidence
- Agoraphobia
- Couple counselling
- Individual counselling
- To stop smoking
- Self-development
- Public speaking
- Fears, Phobias
- Bad habits, changing habits
- Addictions
- Relaxation
- Sleeping
- And many more behavioural changes!
What stops people from making important changes in their lives? Like having the will-power to lose weight and maintain that weight loss without continually going on a diet, or to stop smoking or even to confront their phobias such as flying. Hypnotherapy can help you to explore this on the deeper level and uncover unconscious behaviours that affect your life!
Is it time to change your life?