What is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a state of mind, enhanced by mental and physical relaxation, in which our subconscious is able to communicate with our conscious mind. Healing by trance state (an altered state of awareness) is amongst the oldest phenomena known to man and is found in one form or another in virtually every culture throughout the world.

What is Hypnotherapy?

There are many forms of psychological therapy but Hypnotherapy is distinctive in that it attempts to address the client's subconscious mind. In practice, the Hypnotherapist will help the client to achieve a relaxed state, will enlist the power of the client's imagination and will utilize a wide range of techniques from story-telling, metaphor or symbolism tailored to individual need, and will use suggestions for positive change. Hypnotherapy is generally a short-term intervention and if positive change is to occur, should become apparent within a relatively few sessions - sometimes just one session.

Most people can be hypnotized, although it is true that some are more hypnotizable than others. A number of factors come into play, such as the willingness and motivation of the client, strength of need and their trust and confidence in their Hypnotherapist. Sometimes, people might be concerned that they will ‘lose control’ under hypnosis, however, it is generally accepted that regardless of how deeply people may go into hypnosis and how passive they may appear, they actually remain in full control of the situation. They are fully able to talk, or stand up and leave the room at any time. Moreover, they cannot be made to do anything against their usual ethical or moral judgement or religious beliefs. The level of trance someone achieves is also individual and generally has no bearing on outcome. In practice, this means that even where a person feels that they have not been hypnotised, given time (and this is a very important factor), the desired outcome of therapy might yet materialize. Hypnotherapy, like other psychological therapies, is not a magic wand. However, if the right ingredients are present, if the time is right and if a suitable practitioner can be found with whom the client is willing to work, then all their (realistic) goals can be achieved.

In my practice, I offer Hypnotherapy as a stand-alone therapy but more frequently, combine it with my other therapies, particularly NLP. I will, for example, use it to 'cement' learning and insight gained in counselling and psychotherapy. I am professionally trained in Ericsonian Clinical Hypnotherapy and registered with the General Hypnotherapy Standards Council and Hypnotherapy Register and comply with their codes of practice and conduct.