Hypnotherapy
THE HYPNOTIC STATE
The brain has different levels of consciousness, or awareness, ranging from fully alert to drowsy to fully asleep, with variations in between. Hypnotic states occur naturally and spontaneously. Everyday examples include:
Hypnotherapy is distinctive in that it attempts to address the client’s subconscious mind using a process which involves guided visualizations and relaxation to help you block out distraction, focus on the issues you may be struggling with, and teach you coping skills to use moving forward.
In practice, the Hypnotherapist often (but not exclusively) requires the client to be in a relaxed state, frequently enlists the power of the client’s own imagination and may utilise a wide range of techniques from story telling, metaphor or symbolism (judged to be meaningful to the individual client) to the use of direct suggestions for beneficial change. Analytical techniques may also be employed in an attempt to uncover problems deemed to lie in a client’s past (referred to as the ‘there and then’) or therapy may concentrate more on a client’s current life and presenting problems (referred to as the ‘here and now’). It is generally considered helpful if the client is personally motivated to change (rather than relying solely on the therapist’s efforts) although a belief in the possibility of beneficial change may be a sufficient starting point. Regardless of the techniques employed, perhaps the most important thing is that a client should expect to feel comfortable and at ease with their therapist. This is of particular importance in Hypnotherapy, in which the value of the treatment is greatly enhanced when there is confidence in the practitioner. For this reason it is recommended that a single session only is initially booked, leaving the client subsequently free to decide if they wish to proceed with more. Unlike many other psychological therapies, Hypnotherapy is generally considered to be a fairly short-term approach in which beneficial change, if it is to occur, should become apparent within a relatively few weeks.
HYPNOTHERAPY UTILISES TECHNIQUES INCLUDING:~
- Relaxation: You will be guided by the hypnotherapist to visualize yourself in a state of peacefulness and relaxation, even when confronting a problematic behavior or the object of your fears.
- Suggestion: Your hypnotherapist may make gentle suggestions for behavior changes that can help you conquer your issue. For example, you may be taught to see yourself as a supportive advisor during a phobic reaction, thus learning to trust yourself and your ability to get through the situation.
- Coping skills: You may be taught certain cognitive-behavioral coping skills, such as guided imagery and the STOP! technique that you can use when confronting fears or anxieties.
- Exploration of past experiences: You may even be encouraged to talk about the first time you experienced the behavior or problem that you are trying to overcome and how you felt at that moment
WHAT HYPNOTHERAPY CAN HELP WITH:~
- Well-being
- Mindset
- Anxiety Relief incl Social Anxiety and Sports Anxiety
- Bed wetting (Enuresis)
- Confidence
- Concentration
- Depression
- Eating Issues
- Exam nerves
- Fears
- Habits
- Hair pulling
- Phobias
- Self-esteem
- Anger management
- Phobias
- Relationships
- School problems
- Self esteem
- Self harm
- Sleep issues
- Smoking
- Stress
- Test anxiety
- Thumb sucking
- Weight Management
- Hypno-Gastric Band
- Stop Smoking/Vaping Cessation
- Cut down/stop alcohol consumption.
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS
There are a number of myths and misconceptions about hypnotherapy that can affect how people view this therapeutic tool.
- Hypnotherapy is often confused with stage hypnosis. Stage hypnotists are performers who are excellent at reading people. They seek extroverts who will put on a great show for the crowd. Whether or not their subjects are truly hypnotized is debatable, but they are willing to go along with the sometimes outrageous suggestions of the stage hypnotist.
- Hypnotherapy doesn’t cause you to forget what happened. You will remember the things that occur during your hypnotic state, you will not be asleep or unconscious, and you will be able to break the hypnotic trance at any time.
- Hypnotherapy doesn’t cause you to lose control. During hypnotherapy, you remain in control. It is not possible for anyone to force you to do anything against your will, even under hypnosis. You will be tuned in to the work at hand, and so may not pay attention to your surroundings, but you will always be in charge of your own actions, behaviors, and statements.