Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy is a form of complementary therapy that utilises the power of positive suggestion to bring about subconscious change to our thoughts, feelings, and behaviour. The process itself aims to alter our state of consciousness in a way that relaxes the conscious part of the mind while simultaneously stimulating and focussing the subconscious part. This heightened state of awareness – reached using skilled relaxation techniques – allows the therapist to then make appropriate suggestions.

Some people have misconceptions about what hypnosis is, so in the session, I will begin by demystifying the process of hypnosis and address any concerns you have about the process. Common fears include the fear of being out of control, the fear of not being able to relax enough, fear that the process will be traumatic, the doubts that it will not work.

In the session I will also include an explanation of trance and hypnosis so that you understand that this is a very normal situation – we all go into trance many times a day. Please rest assured that clinical hypnotherapy is very different to stage hypnosis –you will always be in full control.

How does hypnotherapy work?

Hypnosis enables the conscious critical and analytical part of the mind to take a back seat, allowing the subconscious mind which is highly suggestible to come to the forefront and become open to suggestion.The therapist will talk to you in a slow and soothing voice directing you into a self-hypnotic ‘trance’; then use psychotherapeutic language and suggestion to enable changes in thoughts and behaviour to be understood. This enables the subconscious to accept, act upon and re-learn new behaviour.

Dispelling the myths of hypnosis

Hypnosis is not sleep, you cannot get “stuck” in a state of hypnosis.People who have been hypnotised do not lose control over their behaviour. Neither can they be made to give up information that they do not wish to disclose. In fact, patients can terminate a session whenever they want to.

The conscious mind

The conscious mind is our active mind and occupies the left side of the brain known as a hemisphere. This mind is logical, rational, critical, analytical and mathematical, objective and abstract. It has no emotion and is based on intentional memory. This is the thinking mind of the moment, in other words, it’s your working mind making decisions about what you do and how you go about doing it. It gives you a choice about what you do and how you do it.

The subconscious mind

The subconscious mind occupies the right hemisphere and is based on involuntary memory. It is governed by our feelings, emotions, instinct, intuition, imagery and metaphor. It is the primary area where habits are formed and phobias are generated.Think of this mind as the powerful system which is controlling all of your bodily functions such as breathing, circulation, muscle control; the management and regulation of your internal organs.This mind is unique as it captures and stores all of the things that your senses detect, such as, what you hear, see, taste, smell and touch. Therefore, just like a powerful computer, it holds and stores a massive amount of information.

Why the subconscious mind always wins!

The subconscious is the more powerful of the two minds and therefore will always win whenever there is a conflict. How many people actually wish to give up smoking but find it really difficult? That’s because the subconscious holds the triggers that drive the craving. However, the subconscious can have these drivers changed and accommodate a re-learning programme.

Royal Society of Medicine

Hypnotherapy is acknowledged by the Royal Society of Medicine as an effective therapy for a whole variety of issues – and is not to be confused with such things as stage hypnosis. As an ethical hypnotherapist, I will work with you to enhance your wellbeing and will certainly not do anything to make you feel foolish or uncomfortable. Everything that you discuss will be in the strictest confidence.
Hypnotherapy can help with;

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Negativity
• Anger
• Weight Issues
• Unwanted Habits, Addictions e.g Smoking
• Fears
• Low self-esteem
• Phobias
  and many other issues