ABOUT CLINICAL HYPNOTHERAPY
WHAT IS IT?
Hypnotherapy is the use of both Hypnosis and Therapy for the treatment of both physical and psychological issues. It is a recognised practice by the British Medical Association since 1955. The AHM suggests that 93% who try hypnotherapy notice improvements within 6 sessions.
In short, Hypnotherapy is a form of therapy that uses the power of suggestion to encourage positive change. A hypnotherapist will use relaxation techniques to help you reach a state where the conscious part of your mind is relaxed and your subconscious part is more open to suggestion. It is often very helpful for those working on issues around fear and anxiety, as the subconscious mind is the storehouse of these issues.
It is an incredibly effective way of permanently reframing beliefs.
If, together, we agree that this is something that might work for you then
we can build it into our session.
WHY MIGHT WE NEED TO 'REPROGRAM'?
Our unconscious mind stores upwards of 99% of everything we have ever known, seen and done. It is unlimited.
It keeps useful information but also holds on to memories, ideas, beliefs, thought patterns and behaviours which can hold us back.
This explains why it’s often hard to break a habit or stop a destructive behaviour when you know that it’s not good for you. Chances are, you're experiencing a battle between the conscious and subconscious mind. The conscious part of our mind houses logic, rational decision-making. The unconscious has ingrained, deep-set beliefs which influence your actions.
In order to change an unhealthy habit, first we need to build positive associations to a new behaviour at the subconscious level.
HOW IS IT DONE?
You cannot consciously access your subconscious mind unless you are in a deep state of relaxation and this is something that I can help you to achieve. The hypnotic state allows your conscious, busy, thinking mind to simply rest and allows direct communication with your subconscious mind which will have the freedom to listen, focus and take on board suggestions that I provide it with to help you.
The following 4 steps are a basic outline as to how we will work together to reach a state of receptivity.
RELAXATION
When you are in a deep state of relaxation – or trance – your conscious,
logical mind is no longer fighting to run its normal automatic programmes.
REMOVE RESISTANCE
By blocking out distractions, trance removes your natural resistance to change.
BYPASS THE CRITIAL CONCIOUS MIND
When the concious mind is resting, it is no longer attempting to prevent change with learnt behaviours
ACCESS TO THE UNCONCIOUS MIND
When your unconscious mind is unlocked, you can absorb and ingrain new, positive learnings, beliefs and suggestions which will replace the old disordered pathways.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN A SESSION WITH ME
During a session, I will use positive reinforcement and suggestion to help change your train of thought. These affirmations are based on careful consultation prior, to establish and gather the personal causes of the underlying anxieties.
During the initial consultation, you can expect:
A discussion about your requirements and goals. This may bring to light things you wish to improve, such as confidence, self-esteem
Gathering personal information such as lifestyle events which may encourage you into a deeper state of relaxation
An explanation of how the hypnotherapy process will work.
Practical details
After your consultation, your session can begin. Or, a recording can be created and sent on an audio digital file. The following outlines a typical session, whether it be a digital file or live session:
A welcome chat where you can ask any other questions you have and get comfortable.
Induction. The hypnotherapist will lead you into a state of deep physical and mental relaxation.
Once deeply relaxed, the hypnotherapist can then begin 'change work' using techniques and approaches discussed and agreed to help you towards your goals.
Once the 'change work' is complete, the hypnotherapist will begin the transition to wakefulness, in which you are gradually brought out of your trance.
Time for any questions you may have, a summary of the session and progress made so far.
HOW DOES THIS HELP WITH EATING DISORDERS?
In treating a client with an eating disorder, positive suggestions under hypnosis can help unroot and change some of the long-standing beliefs you have about food and your body.
Hypnotherapy can guide clients to build a positive self-image and improve their relationship with themselves at a deeper level. This often leads to more sustainable change.
Indirect suggestions to a client’s unconscious mind, a location where the majority of their thoughts and beliefs are stored, may help deep-set unhelpful behaviours and ideas shift.
IS IT SAFE?
Hypnosis, performed by a trained practitioner, simply allows access to a natural state which is very similar to meditation. It is a very normal state which you will have been in many times before.
Hypnotherapy is a completely safe practice. It is impossible to be ‘stuck’ in a trance state because a client has the ability to come out of trance at any moment.
We will always work together in order to get the outcome that you want. I assure you that I am only interested in promoting changes which are for your highest good.
