** HYPNOTHERAPY WORKS - LET IT WORK FOR YOU **
~ HYPNOSIS & THERAPIES ~
What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a relaxed state of mind. When the mind is relaxed, it is able to focus on a specific thing and block out all other distractions. All hypnosis is self-hypnosis: only you can allow yourself to relax into such a focussed state of mind – a hypnotist or therapist only guides you into this relaxation.
You are often in a state of a state of hypnosis without even realising it. When you are engrossed in a film and believe the events are real: of course you know they are not real, but you allow yourself to become absorbed in, and have real emotional responses to, the story.
When you have driven from A to B but don't remember how you got there, you have probably been in a light state of trace. But if there was a hazard during that journey, your response would still be immediate, because you would have still been alert and reactive to anything that threatens your safety and survival.
What Does Hypnosis Feel Like?
There is no such thing as a ‘hypnotised feeling’. It is different things to different people, and at different times. But the person being hypnotised is completely aware of who and where they are, and can choose to stop the process whenever they wish.
Some people describe their hypnotic experience as the same feeling they get just as they are falling off to sleep – a deeply relaxed and peaceful moment when, although still awake, they don’t want anything to interrupt that state. Others describe it as so relaxing, they just can’t be bothered to move!
What is Hypnotherapy?
The therapy part comes in when hypnosis is used by a hypnotherapist, who aims to prepare your subconscious to accept and act upon suggestions that are agreeable to you. A competent and professional hypnotist will only give suggestions that are positive and beneficial to your well-being.
A hypnotherapist may use a variety of different therapeutic methods (such as those below) that are beneficial to you, whilst you are in a state of hypnosis. I will discuss with you what might be best suited to your needs.
Different methods of therapy I use:
Suggestion Therapy – Whilst you are in a state of deep relaxation, I would give positive suggestions for change that would be accepted by your subconscious mind. Your subconscious will only act on suggestions that are morally acceptable to you: despite what you may see on television stage shows, you cannot be made to do anything that you do not want to do. Suggestion Therapy is used for most clients’ presenting problems such as stress, habits, nerves, confidence issues, weight management and for my Quit Smoking sessions (a programme created by a leading senior clinical hypnotherapist). These sessions might also include elements of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and other counselling techniques - either in or out of hypnosis.
Hypnoanalysis – Hypnoanalysis digs deeper into your memory, to discover the root of a presenting problem, where the cause of a symptom may stem back to childhood. Any unpleasant or traumatic childhood memories that are recalled can then viewed by you as the adult you are now. As an adult, you will usually have the emotional resources to be able to revisit the situation and, through therapy, reduce your emotional reaction to the event – in other words, you will be able to let go of it. Hypnoanalysis is often described as spring-cleaning your mind, getting rid of the cobwebs.
Hypnotherapy doesn't make you forget unpleasant or traumatic experiences. What it can do - where an experience stems from childhood - is enable you to see it through your adult eyes, where you have the adult emotional resources to deal with them. Where appropriate, this might mean to put the events into perspective. Or it might mean helping you come to terms with the event(s).
Where a previous traumatic event/memory is from adulthood, hypnotherapy can help to reduce your emotional response (eg pain, fear, grief) to the memory, so that is it less severe.
Meridian Therapy/Emotional Freedom Technique(EFT) - Based on the principles of acupressure: stimulating meridian channels to release blockages which are caused by and hold on to emotional experiences. Meridian Therapies are also sometimes called ‘Tapping’, as certain pressure points on your upper body are tapped gently by the therapist, whilst your presenting problems are recalled and worked through.
Children & Young Adults - Having been trained by leading psychologist and author, Lin McAllister, I use a variety of methods in my work with children and young adults, depending on the nature of the problem - for example, habits, phobias, bedwetting, encopresis, behavioural problems, and self-harming.
Family Mediation - After family break-ups, children involved may display problematic behaviours. Family mediation involves me working with the children to explore their feelings, needs and wants, with a view to negotiating realistic agreements with the parents that would help create some harmony for the children, resulting in an improvement in their behaviour.
Support for People Who Self-Harm and/or Suffer from Depression - Trained by Stephen Wilson, consultant clinical psychologist and Director of The Silent Cry, I use a variety of counselling and other therapy techniques to help people who self-harm and/or suffer from depression. I am also a registered committee member/volunteer for The Silent Cry. More information and the goals of The Silent Cry (registered charity 1132986) can be found on their website http://www.thesilentcry.co.uk/.
** BE THE BEST YOU THAT YOU CAN BE **
