Hypnotherapy FAQs
What is Hypnotherapy?
There are many misconceptions about hypnosis and it is helpful to deal with these first. You should ignore everything you know about hypnosis seen on TV or on stage, which is intended only to entertain!
- Hypnosis is completely natural and safe for use by both adults and children. It is also safe in pregnancy.
- Hypnosis cannot make you do anything you do not wish to do.
- You cannot get “stuck” in hypnosis.
- You are completely in control at all times.
- If you wish to talk, to move or to end the hypnotherapy session, you are fully able to do so.
- You cannot be made to reveal anything about yourself that you do not want to reveal. You will be working together with your hypnotherapist to achieve your goals and aims.
- Most people in hypnosis will feel calm and relaxed. It is a very pleasant experience.
- Anyone can go into hypnosis; it does not require any special ability.
Although there are many slightly differing theories as to just why hypnotism works as well as it does, it is agreed that hypnosis is a state where people can more readily accept suggestions as to changes they wish to make to their attitudes, beliefs, thoughts and feelings. You choose whether or not to respond to the suggestions that are being made to you. It is particularly good at dealing with problems arising from stress and anxiety. It deals with specific problems and also enables you to feel generally more relaxed and confident, meaning that you are more fully able to deal with the ups and downs of life.
Before entering hypnosis you will discuss with the hypnotherapist those changes which you would like to make. Whilst in hypnosis you will be able to more easily focus on the suggestions being made, based on your earlier discussions with the therapist, and you will be more easily able to visualise the improvements to your life which making the suggested changes would entail. Because you will feel so relaxed, you will be less prone to distraction and therefore able to concentrate fully on the ideas and suggestions being made.
What is self hypnosis?
Whilst putting into practice the relaxation techniques you have been taught, it is extremely useful to repeat certain simple phrases and suggestions to yourself, which will enable you to reinforce the power of the hypnosis session in your own time and at your own convenience. These will be brief, straightforward and common sense suggestions about the very essence of the changes you want to make in your life, whether you want to deal better with stress and anxiety, achieve your weight loss goals, quit smoking, feel more confident or happy, or face particular fears or worries. Anyone can perform self hypnosis – it is very easy. I can provide guidance as to how best to practice this, but you are already doing this every day, without being aware of it – for example, when you lie down to go to sleep at night, you tell yourself you are going to relax and go to sleep now. Self hypnosis is simply the practice of making helpful suggestions to yourself, and acting on them
