What is Hypnotherapy?
Unlike the fanfare and entertainment of stage hypnotism (which is vastly different), Clinical Hypnosis or Hypnotherapy is a safe and viable therapeutic practice when done by a trained professional.
The Unconscious Mind
Your mind is incredibly powerful. Your conscious mind, the part that you are aware of and which deals with the here and now, is just the tip of the iceberg, the tiniest fraction of the whole.
Beneath the surface is your pre-conscious mind (where you store things you know but don’t need to recall right now, eg how to tie your shoe laces).
Deeper still is your Unconscious Mind. This is the largest part and it underpins everything within your conscious mind. Like the base of the iceberg, it exists deep below the surface. Your individuality and memories are stored here and, more often than not, it is your Unconscious Mind that will dictate your attitudes, beliefs and habits.
What does this have to do with Hypnosis?
Clinical Hypnosis involves your being led, by deep relaxation, into a heightened state of consciousness or trance state. You remain awake and aware. This state allows the therapist to bypass your conscious mind and communicate directly with your Unconscious Mind. This process enables you to change your unwanted behaviours or habits through therapeutic hypnotic suggestion and, where necessary, helps you to understand why you adopt certain behaviours or reactions, or experience particular feelings or emotions so that positive changes can be made.
Hypnosis is often a very pleasant and relaxing experience from which you awaken feeling energised and refreshed, most often with full recollection of the session.
Am I in control?
You always remain in control when in hypnotic trance. You cannot be made to do something that you wouldn’t ordinarily do or which is against your will. Individually designed and pre-agreed therapeutic hypnotic suggestions are delivered by your therapist during the trance which are adopted by, and become part of, your own Unconscious Mind which will help you in achieving your therapeutic goals.
During our first session, we will talk more about hypnosis and your issues. Together, we will agree on what changes you feel would be most beneficial for you, and then help you by implementing these through hypnosis.
Please note that Clinical Hypnosis should only ever be carried out by a trained professional.
What can Hypnotherapy help with?
Used correctly, Hypnotherapy can help with many conditions, such as Stress Management, Depression, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Stopping Smoking, Phobias, Nail Biting, Weight Control, Sports or Professional Performance, Exam Nerves, Snoring (yourself or living with someone else who does), Sleep Problems, Pain Management, Confidence, Assertiveness, and Self Esteem, to name just a few.
For more information or to book an appointment with me, please do not hesitate to contact me.