How does hypnotherapy work?

Hypnotherapy is an extremely safe and effective method of helping people to create healthy and positive changes in their lives.

The mind is made up of two parts, the conscious mind, and the subconscious mind. 

The conscious mind contains everything you are consciously aware of at any one time. 

The subconscious mind contains everything we know but are not explicitly aware of, for example it controls your breathing, blood flow, and heart rate. Your subconscious mind also contains your memories, storing everything you've ever experienced.  Your attitudes, habits, beliefs, creativity, emotions, imagination, are all contained in your subconscious mind.

As the hypnotherapist induces a deep state of relaxation in the client (induces trance state), the client become less aware of their surroundings, and the conscious mind becomes less active.  In this state of mind the client becomes more likely to respond to suggestions provided by the hypnotist. Positive suggestions are then introduced by the hypnotherapist that are taken on and accepted by the client's subconscious mind, resulting in positive changes in behavior. 

 

 

Can everyone be hypnotized?

Anybody that experiences daydreams and has an imagination is capable of being hypnotized, i.e. everybody. Hypnosis is a natural phenomenon and even animals are capable of experiencing hypnosis spontaneously.

There are some exceptions of course, for example, people with mental difficulties, or those with extremely sub-normal intelligence.

 

Will I be aware of what's happening when under hypnosis?

Yes.

Although the word 'hypnosis' is derived from Hypnos, the Greek god of sleep, most people experiencing hypnosis are actually far from sleeping, but rather a deep state of relaxation, known as the trance state.  

People experiencing hypnosis may appear to others to be asleep, but they can still think, talk, open their eyes and respond to suggestions if they desire.  When under hypnosis, people are usually aware of their surroundings and can hear everything going on around them, including the hypnotherapist's voice.

 

Will I be able to wake up if I want? Will the hypnotist control me?

Hypnosis is not about control. If you want to come out of hypnosis at any time you simply choose to do that. If the hypnotherapist disappeared or fell over and knocked themselves out you would come back to full consciousness in your own time. We go in and out of hypnotic states of consciousness (e.g. daydreaming) many times a day, but always come back out of them easily and naturally.

 

What is self-hypnosis?

All hypnosis is self-hypnosis, as the hypnotherapist only guides the trance experience in the client. The power of hypnosis is in the client, not in the hypnotherapist.

 

How successful is hypnotherapy?

The success of a session is dependent on the skill of the hypnotherapist, but more importantly, on the willingness of the client to follow the hypnotherapists suggestions. Success rates of 90% and higher are common, provided the hypnotherapy session is professionally conducted, and followed up with the use of post-session hypnosis CD (I provide a free hypnosis CD with every session). 

 

How many sessions will I need?

Hypnotherapist's have their own way of approaching different symptoms, depending on their training and experience. I specialize in stop smoking, weight loss, and self confidence / esteem sessions which can be treated effectively with one session.

 

Will I be forced to say or do anything I don't want to?

No. You cannot be forced to say or do anything under hypnosis that you don't want to. You remain completely in control and empowered. If this was not the case, the police would hypnotise their suspects and get them to 'tell the truth'!

 

What is a trance?

A trance is the term that is used to describe somebody that has entered a hypnotic state. The person may appear "lost in thought", or "away with the fairies"… Essentially the persons mind is fixed on their inner thoughts and so they become less aware of their surroundings. During this state the client becomes extremely relaxed and extremely open to the positive suggestions provided by the hypnotherapist.