About Us
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Hypnosis/hypnotherapy?
Is hypnosis dangerous?
Who can be hypnotised?
What is it like to be in hypnosis?
Is it like stage hypnosis?
Examples of how it works
Why do people try hypnotherapy?
Can you solve all my problems?
Does hypnotherapy work?
What if I am on medication or seeing a psychiatrist?
What about confidentiality?
Is Hypnosis Dangerous? Hypnosis is a completely
natural state to experience. Hypnotherapy is where a professionally trained therapist helps a client go safely
into this state, at which point therapeutic intervention can
be more effective. With a professionally trained therapist
there are no dangers in hypnosis. It is impossible to get
'stuck' and although there is a common belief that 'secrets'
will be divulged, this is not true. The therapist has no power
to control the client and the emphasis is on guiding the
client during therapeutic work.Who can be hypnotised? I believe anybody can be
guided into a state of therapeutic hypnosis, as long as:
the state (ie wants to be hypnotised)
hypnosisAll that is really needed from the client is the ability
to concentrate and the willingness to work with the
therapist.What is it like to be in hypnosis? There are
no specific feelings that let you know you
are in hypnosis, however, generally people feel
deeply physically relaxed. Although the body is
deeply physically relaxed, the mind is generally
more alert and sensitive and the individual is aware
of what they experience. Almost everyone has
experienced an involuntary hypnotic trance. Here
are some examples:
- You are driving and you can't remember the last
few minutes or you pass through some traffic
lights before wondering if you really looked to see
if they were green.- Someone snaps their fingers or waves their hands
in front of you to bring you back to full conscious
attention because you are entranced by a book or
film.- You daydreamed and wondered where your time
went.- Daydreaming while performing a repetitive task
suchas mowing the lawn.- You locked a door but had to go back and check
because you don't remember actually doing it.
Your mind was elsewhere.- You're enjoying a drink that you don't remember
making.All of these are examples of natural trance states.
A hypnotherapist induces this pleasant, relaxed state
deliberately for therapeutic gain. In this heightened
state of awareness you become very focused and able
to concentrate only on the things that will bring about
solutions to your problem.Is it like stage Hypnosis? Therapeutic/Clinical
Hypnosis is completely different from stage hypnosis.
Stage hypnosis is used for entertainment purposes and
is for the benefit of the audience, whilst Therapeutic/
Clinical Hypnosis is used to help people with a wide
range of problems in a way that is safe and
appropriate, for their benefit.Examples of how it works. A smoker can consciously
know smoking is harmful and yet find themselves
compelled to smoke. For many people, conscious
knowledge of government health warnings, increasing
social unacceptability, the cost, smell and taste etc,
do not override the powerful unconscious habit.
Hypnotherapy tackles the unconscious desire to
smoke.An overweight person may be overeating or eating
bad foods despite consciously thinking it is unhealthy
and wanting change. The unconscious mind has
different ideas but these are hidden from view.
The person cannot understand why they yo-yo diet.
This is because the unconscious desire to eat
unhealthily keeps silently pestering despite the
conscious efforts to stop. Hypnotic suggestions to
eat healthily can change this.Everyone, including a person with a phobia, knows
spiders in the UK pose no threat whatsoever. Despite
the conscious knowledge, they still find their unconscious
fears taking over when a spider is present.
Hypnotherapy builds confidence and deals with
the causes such as early exposure to a screaming
parent, having one thrown at you etc.Hypnotherapy can also be used for medical
problems. More and more people, including
medical professionals, are seeking holistic
explanations. It is well known that stress in
the mind can cause ulcers in the body. Merely
thinking about something can make your heart
race. The mind and body are highly
interrelated. Hypnotherapy has successfully
been used to treat lots of medical conditions
including asthma, burns, wounds, skin problems,
menstrual problems, IBS and many more
(see Issues).Why do people try hypnotherapy? There
are many reasons. They may have tried other
therapies without success but know someone
who has benefitted from hypnotherapy; they
may have deep-rooted issues which need to be
worked with at a subconscious level; they may
have been referred by a GP or another
hypnotherapist; having tried many other
therapies, they see hypnotherapy as their
last chance.Can you solve all my problems? Hypnotherapy
is a very powerful tool but its not a magic wand,
so no, I cannot solve all your problems. What
I can do is to listen to you and work with you to
help you find the resources that are there hidden
within you, to enable you to make the changes you
wish to make at a very deep level.Does hypnotherapy work? Yes it does, but as with
all therapies, medication, etc, it is not a 'magic cure
all'. It is not a magic pill, potion or wand; what it is,
is one of the most effective methods of dealing with
issues, straightforward and complex, at the deepest
of levels, enabling people to make the positive changes
they wish to make in their lives.What if I am taking medication or seeing a
psychiatrist? As a general rule it is quite safe
to undertake hypnotherapy when taking medication,
but if you are in any doubt, you should contact your GP.
If you are seeing a psychiatrist when you consult me
for hypnotherapy, before commencing therapy, I would
wish to contact your psychiatrist to confirm that the
planned hypnotherapy would not conflict with
the psychiatric therapy. Hypnotherapy is not an
alternative to medical care.What about confidentiality? Client records are
always treated in the strictest confidence and are
kept securely. Your case will not be discussed with
a third party unless it is necessary for consultation
with your doctor or psychiatrist.What is Hypnosis/Hypnotherapy? Hypnosis is a
natural, safe state of mind. Although sometimes mistaken
for a sleep state, it is actually an 'altered state of
awareness', where the individual is generally consciously
aware of what they experience. Hypnosis allows the therapist/client to communicate with the deep, inner
parts of the mind, known as the unconscious/subconscious
mind. This communication can help alleviate many types
of problems, including behavioural and emotional problems.
