About Hypnotherapy

What is Hypnosis?

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Healing through trance or altered state of awareness is one of the oldest human phenomena and is found in cultures across the world. No-one can conclusively say exactly what hypnosis is, but a helpful and accurate explanation is that "hypnosis is a state of mind, enhanced by mental and physical relaxation (although not exclusively), in which our subconscious is able to communicate with our conscious mind." It's probably better to think in terms of what ‘hypnosis’ does rather than what it is - a method for accessing our inner potential.

A hypnotic state of mind can be self-induced (self-hypnosis) or brought on with the help of another person. If this person is a trained professional, using hypnosis to encourage positive and beneficial change, this is what we understand as ‘Hypnotherapy’.

What is Hypnotherapy?

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Psychological therapy is the treatment of emotional and psychological disorders, unwanted habits and undesirable feelings, using psychological techniques alone. Hypnotherapy is distinctive kind of psychological therapy in that it addresses the client’s subconscious mind. A Hypnotherapist often (but not always) guides the client into a relaxed state and enlists the power of the client’s own imagination using a wide range of techniques from story telling, metaphor or symbolism (this is meaningful to the individual client) to the use of direct suggestions for beneficial change. Analytical techniques may also help to uncover problems rooted in a client’s past or may concentrate more on a client’s current life and issues. Hypnotherapy is most effective when the client is highly motivated to change, but a belief in the possibility of change is always a good starting point. The most important thing  - more important than the techniques used - is that a client feels comfortable with their therapist. This is especially important in Hypnotherapy, as the value and effectiveness of the therapy is much greater when the client has confidence in the practitioner. 

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Hypnotherapy works quickly in comparison to other psychological therapies and it should be evident within relatively few sessions whether positive change is going to take place. 

Who can be hypnotised?

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The answer is undoubtedly ‘virtually everyone’! However, there are some more readily hypnotisable people than others. It also heavily depends upon a person's willingness to be hypnotised, which can be iunfluenced by how much the client needs the Hypnotherapy to be effective, and their trust and confidence in their therapist.

Another question people ask is ‘How deeply do I need to be hypnotised to get a result?'. Opinions on this vary, but researchers tend to agree that depth of trance does not determine quality of outcome. So even where a person might feel that they have not been hypnotised, or not been hypnotised deeply enough, given time, the changes a person is looking for might yet materialise. Modern life drives us to want and expect instantaneous results and while Hypnotherapy can be extraordinarily effective, it is not magic. If the right ingredients are present, if the time is right and if the client finds the right therapist to work with, then all their (realistic) goals are achievable.

Who can benefit from Hypnotherapy?

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Again - ‘virtually everyone’! Hypnotherapy helps clients to draw on their own inner resources to make positive changes. It is the innate healing capacity of our own bodies that is stimulated by Hypnotherapy. The list of problems and issues that Hypnotherapy can help with is immense, but includes: stress, anxiety, panic, phobias, unwanted habits and addictions (e.g. smoking, overeating, alcoholism), disrupted sleep patterns, lack of confidence and low self-esteem, fear of examinations and public speaking, allergies and skin disorders, migraine and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It has has proved valuable within surgery, in pain management and in sporting and artistic performance enhancement. There are times when Hypnotherapy may be contra-indicated however. These could include some manifestations of depressive illness, epilepsy, psychosis (e.g. schizophrenia) and some breathing problems.

Common Concerns

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People are sometimes concerned that they will ‘lose control’ in hypnosis. However, general consensus is that regardless of how deeply people may go in hypnosis and however passive they may appear to be, they actually remain in full control of the situation. Hypnotised clients are able to talk if they want to and can stand up and leave at any time. A hypnotised person cannot be made to do anything against their usual ethical or moral judgement or religious belief. Concerns about loss of control seem to come from people’s experience or views of stage hypnosis. Taking part in stage act is entirely voluntary and to volunteer is to give ‘permission’ to the hypnotist to use hypnosis for entertainment purposes.

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Derived from an article on the website of the General Hypnotherapy Register

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