Hypnotherapy FAQ's
Hypnotherapy Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is a natural state of relaxation - often referred to as trance.
If you've ever tried meditation or visualization techniques, or found yourself drifting off into a pleasant day-dream then you have already experienced this altered state of awareness called trance.
Hypnotherapist or Clinical Hypnotherapist. Is there a difference? A Hypnotherapist is someone who makes use of the state of hypnosis (deep relaxation) to help someone make some personal changes (changes that are beneficial or could be called theraputic). A Clinical Hypnotherapist does exactly the same thing.
Myths about Hypnotherapy Many people associate hypnotherapy with stage hypnosis. It's important to remember that stage hypnosis is basically entertainment, and as such is a very different use of this relaxed state.
During hypnotherapy you will only be given suggestions that you have already agreed are right for you. You won't be asked to do anything against your wishes and you will retain the power of choice throughout the session
The fact is that no-one can actually hypnotise you. If you choose, you can allow yourself to follow the instructions to become deeply relaxed, but it will be your choice, and you doing the relaxing. Who else could be doing it?
During hypnotherapy, you will be awake and aware of what's going on, as you become very relaxed. Most people close their eyes, though it's not essential. It is simply a deeply realxing and pleasant experience.
Most people are happy to try hypnosis in a group setting and if anyone is still unsure - you can always sit this part out and just watch instead.
If you come to see me as a one to one client, we will discuss the use of hypnotherapy, you can ask questions and of course the decision to give hypnosis a go will be yours.
How Does Hypnotherapy Work?
By becoming deeply relaxed, you become more open to accepting suggestions at an unconscious level - the level where we hold our deepest beliefs.
By assisting the mind to access deep relaxation, hypnotherapy is greatly rejuvenating to our mental processes - it's literally like giving your brain a rest, and as such it encourages us to think more creatively and with more flexibility (just like the sense of wellbeing that you bring home with you after a good holiday). Making changes is always easier when you feel good about the changes you are making.
Before using hypnotherapy, we will spend time looking at any beliefs that it would be useful for you to change, and you will have the final say in agreeing the specific suggestions you would like to include in the hypnotherapy.
What exactly happens? You will simply sit in a comfortable chair and listen, following instructions to become more relaxed by the minute.
The hypnosis itself can last from a few minutes to half an hour (thouugh it won't seem like more than ten minutes!) and we may use one or more session of hypnotherapy in an appointment. I will give you specific instructions on how to relax more and more. When you have reached a suitable level of relaxation, I will give you the suggestions that we have previously agreed upon, then I will ask you to return to your usual state of awareness. That's it.
After hypnotherapy people report feeling very relaxed. Shortly after a session is not unusual to experience a burst of energy and increased well being, and the sense of relaxation usually stays with you for quite some time.
What's Hypnotherapy used for?
If you hold beliefs that are limiting you in some way, and that you've been unable to change by conscious processes, Hypnotherapy is an excellent way of getting past these obstacles to your progress. Beliefs that limit us often start with the words 'I can't do/be/ have ....' Or 'I'm no good at.......' Or 'I don't know how to....'
Why Use Hypnotherapy?
When you are deeply relaxed in trance you are able to easily access parts of your mind that are not always so easily accessed in your usual state of awareness. This is why Hypnotherapy is such a useful tool for changing deeply held beliefs. It simply allows you to access a change process more directly than you've previously been able to.
Read NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) FAQ's or return to Home Page