What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is an altered state where the brain slows down and quietens (theta state) - think meditation, think deep relaxation, think of when you've been so lost in thought that time has passed unexpectedly or you missed your turn off whilst driving - that's hypnosis. We do it by ourselves every day.
How does that work in therapy?
Hypnosis in therapy is one modality out of many therapeutic techniques. The difference is that we will work on the subconscious level - so the busy mind is able to step aside and we can start to find the root of the problem and let your own subconscious guide you to your own wisdom. When you are hypnotized you have a high level of focus and concentration on your inner landscape.
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It can be an incredibly effective tool for releasing old patterns, negative thoughts or emotions, overturning that which seeks to block us, and highlighting connections you haven't yet made.
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How can that help me?
I firmly believe that we hold deep wisdom within ourselves on what can rightly work to help us heal. YOU are the expert on you - we can so easily forget that and lose faith in our intuition.
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Hypnotherapy helps you bypass your conscious overthinking or frozen mind to reach safely within yourself and tap into your unconscious to be able to hear what you've been trying to tell yourself all along.
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What happens in a session?
Hypnotherapy presents on a very personal level so there are many experiences that people have. You will always be fully in control, and fully aware of what you are experiencing, we talk throughout the session whilst you are in trance, and indeed you will remember all you need to remember.
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As a Counselling Hypnotherapist, I will begin by sitting with you to explore your current situation and discuss the areas where you'd like to engage your subconscious mind for support first. Then we may move in to the hypnotherapy part - this does not always happen in the first session, sometimes it is more important to first understand what has been going on for you.
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THE GENERAL FRAME:
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Relaxing and Focusing: If you have experienced guided meditation, or yoga, you may already be familiar with how to take yourself into a focused state of relaxation and connectedness. Don't worry if you haven't done it before, I'll be able to gently guide you. In fact, that may be all we do in the first session, just learn how to relax and be present with ourselves and feel the safety therein.
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The Subconscious Work: Where hypnotherapy is different from meditations or guided imagery, is that this work is interactive - we will be talking to each other throughout the experience. We work together with, and communicate with, your subconscious to explore obstacles to your desired change on limiting beliefs, resolving emotional blocks or strengthening positive patterns. Throughout this process I will be checking in to see how this feels for you, whether it is in alignment and feels comfortable, and where you might wish to make change or progress. Sometimes we will use guided imagery, or storytelling, to assist the process as imagery and metaphor are the best way to engage the subconscious.
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Returning and Reflecting: Then we will gradually return you to a fully alert state feeling refreshed and relaxed. And finally we can discuss your experience as you are comfortable and plan for future progress, if needed.
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FAQs
What is it good for?
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Exceedingly helpful in the treatment of stress, anxiety, depression, phobias, managing painful conditions.
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There is some evidence to support its use for cessation of smoking, and weight control.
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It's a great addition to traditional counselling by facilitating a deeper exploration of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours
What can't it do?
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You can't be made to do anything against your will! Hypnosis might make it easier to take on suggestions, but it cannot force you to do anything you don't want.
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You won't reveal any secrets!
When is hypnosis not recommended?
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If you are in active drug or alcohol addiction
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You in a state of psychosis unable to distinguish between the dream state and the waking reality
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You are suffering from hallucinations or delusions, or have been diagnosed with schizophrenia
Do you recover traumatic childhood memories?
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Ethically I do not actively recover memories. I believe the subconscious will reveal past traumatic events in its own way if and when you are ready (such as flashbacks and dreams). If there's a memory block its probably serving a purpose. There may be people that do this but, respectfully, I am not one of them. I believe your mind and it's protective mechanisms should be respected at all times.
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Sometimes in session memories might reveal themselves, and we will cross that bridge if that happens, but I won't go seeking them.
Can it cure my addiction?
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By itself there is little evidence, however as a supportive strategy in addition to other recovery methods it has been evidenced to have great results.
Is it covered by insurance?
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Insurance coverage will vary. Check with your provider to discover if hypnotherapy is covered and to what extent.
Is it safe?
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All hypnosis is in one way or another self hypnosis
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You are in control at all times, just as in a "regular" therapy session
Is this legit?
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The British Medical Association was an early supporter in 1892, and then subsequently issued the Hypnotism Act in 1952
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The American Psychological Association and American Medical Association have recognized hypnotherapy as a valid procedure since 1958.