what is hypnotherapy

Hypnosis is a naturally occurring state of mind that combines relaxation and concentration with heightened awareness. Our brains slip into hypnosis, commonly referred to as ‘trance’, several times a day – we just don’t realise it! Whenever we daydream, we are in this altered state of awareness. Whenever we miss our stop on the tube because our mind was elsewhere, we are in a hypnotic trance state. When we are engrossed in a book or film and hear someone talking to us but we don’t respond because our attention is focused on that book or film, we are experiencing hypnosis.

Hypnosis is exactly that time in the office sat at your desk day dreaming about something other than the next meeting and you colleague nudges you and says, ‘Wake up! You were in a trance!’ How accurate they are! You have been in a trance and you were perfectly safe and content and returned from your thoughts whenever you were ready to.

These recognisable states are all trance-like states and are both normal and safe practices, but thanks to modern day Hollywood hysteria, we have come to view trance as something mysterious, even unethical and untrustworthy. The exact opposite is true.

I’m sure you recognized yourself in some of the trance-state examples mentioned earlier, so, now do you think that you have never been hypnotised??

so what is hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is utilising this natural state of relaxed concentration and heightened awareness to affect desired changes in behaviour, be it physical, emotional or psychological. During this enjoyable state, suggestibility is amplified and you become very receptive to proper suggestion. In this relaxed yet highly focused state, suggestions are acted upon more powerfully than is possible under normal waking conditions.

Hypnosis in induced simply by you listening to the therapist’s voice and focusing your attention on the words being spoken. Obviously there are many different techniques to induce trance, but there are no swinging pendulums or flashing, bright lights! It’s not a Hollywood movie! It’s serious therapeutic work combining psychology and counselling and most importantly, IT WORKS!!

There are so many myths and misconceptions surrounding Hypnosis and I'll list some of the most frequently asked questions here, but you may have some of your own. Rest assured, ANY of your questions or concerns will be carefully addressed upon initial consultation.

can everybody be hypnotised?

Yes, most people can be, as long as they want to be. If you can focus your attention and use your imagination and have a genuine desire to achieve your goal through hypnosis, you will enter at least a light state of trance and benefit from the sessions.

is hypnosis dangerous?

No, you are perfectly safe as hypnosis is a natural state of your own mind. ALWAYS make sure you are working with a professional Hypnotherapist and check credentials! So long as you feel comfortable, that's what's important.

can I be made to do something against my will?

Absolutely not! Nobody can be hypnotized against their will as popularised by Hollywood films. You cannot be made to do anything outside of your own value system. THIS IS SO IMPORTANT! This is a professional therapy to affect beneficial, therapeutic change.

YOU REMAIN IN CONTROL AT ALL TIMES - all hypnosis, in effect, is self hypnosis. YOU decide to enter trance, YOU decide to accept positive suggestions and YOU decide to open your eyes and walk away if for any reason you wish to do so.

can I become stuck in hypnosis?

Most definitely not! You are in control. If I should stop talking and you remain in trance, you will arouse naturally and easily, just as you would from sleep or from a day dream. You've never got stuck in a day dream have you?

will I be aware of what's happening?

Yes, Hypnotherapy is not a passive process, it is not ‘done' to you. You will be aware of my voice and of what is happening. Hypnotherapy is characterized by heightened awareness, you are not asleep or ‘out cold' as people often believe.

what does it feel like to be hypnotised?

The experience differs for everyone. Most often you just feel very relaxed and calm, even tranquil. The sensation is often likened to that 'Sunday Morning' feeling, when you wake up and realize that you can just lay there and drift off back to sleep. Most of us know and love that feeling.

People expect 'something' to happen when experiencing hypnosis but often at the end of the session, they'll say, 'Oh! I didn't feel hypnotized, just very relaxed!' That's exactly what hypnosis is! There are no knee-trembling moments and no jumping up acting like chickens - I promise!