What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is an altered state of heightened awareness or consciousness that occurs naturally in every person, perhaps best described as a state of inner focus, where the mind can become detached from its usual concerns. We all experience altered states of awareness when we day-dream; when we are engrossed in a film or a good book and for a period are totally unaware of our surrounds, or when we drive and find ourselves drifting off in our mind, then wonder how we got to where we were.
When hypnotized the mind is more able to respond to suggestion and imagery, and the creativity of the unconscious mind is less hampered by the interference of the conscious mind. The state of being in hypnosis is called ‘trance’. The feeling of being hypnotised differs from person to person. Most people feel as though they are deeply relaxed, experience feelings of inner calm and some experience pleasant floating sensations.
What is Hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is the clinical form of hypnosis and should only be carried out by fully qualified therapists.
Hypnotherapy allows access to our unconscious inner resources, the place where healing and positive energies are encountered and utilized to allow new learning, and desired change to take place. Clients are helped to balance their lives, often enabling new levels of confidence, optimism, positivity, self awareness and the ability to move on from unresolved issues which keep them trapped in their past.
Do not confuse clinical hypnotherapy with stage hypnosis. They bear no relationship to each other whatsoever.
What is self-hypnosis?
Self Hypnosis is a wonderful tool that is both rewarding and a life long asset. Whilst you may learn the technique to resolve a current problem, it is a process that once learned , can be of use to you throughout your life. Many hypnotherapy sessions will include a tutorial on self-hypnosis, which the client can then use to reinforce the results of the session with the therapist or simply for relaxation purposes.
Will I be under the control of the hypnotherapist?
Although in trance you are fully in control at all times and are aware of what is happening. You cannot be made to do anything against your will, or which violates your own moral values or accepted code of behaviour. You can come out of trance whenever you wish, and will not get ‘stuck’ in the trance state. You will remember everything that happens during a session of hypnosis, unless you choose not too, because you have entered an emotional area which you are not yet ready to deal with.
Can everybody be hypnotised?
Anybody can be hypnotised, if they want to be. You cannot be hypnotised against your will. It is a normal state that everybody passes through before going to sleep, where your brain wave changes. However, it is possible to resist hypnosis like it is possible to resist going to sleep. But even if one resists hypnosis, there are techniques that can be used to overcome the resistance. Of course if a client really has no desire to be hypnotised then they simply will not succumb.
What happens during a hypnotherapy session?
The session will start with the therapist gathering information about you and your problem, establishing exactly what changes you want in your life and discuss a treatment plan, giving an indication of how many sessions will be required.
The therapist will then induce trance by the most appropriate method, and employ a suitable therapeutic intervention to address the problem to help you to initiate the changes you want to make. Post-hypnotic suggestions may also be given prior to wakening, which are powerful reinforcements to the hypnotherapy session.
Every session is “tailor-made” to meet individual wants and needs.
Is Hypnosis Safe
Hypnosis is in no way dangerous or harmful either physically or psychologically as evidenced by its acceptance as a therapeutic technique and its widespread use by the medical and mental health professionals. In fact hypnosis was originally used as an anaesthetic and hailed a major breakthrough by the medical profession. Only when drug companies began marketing and producing chemical anaesthetics did the medics discard hypnosis for the easier route of drugs.
Today the use of hypnosis is spreading again throughout the dental and medical profession as there are no side effects (as there are with drugs) and recover periods from operations are shorter. In 2009 Professor David Spiegel, of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences at Stamford University in the US, called on the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to add hypnotherapy to its list of approved therapeutic techniques for the treatment of conditions ranging from allergies and high blood pressure to pain management. NICE has already approved the technique for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.
The therapist will always require a letter of agreement from the client’s doctor if they are under medication or ongoing medical treatment.
Always make sure you are treated by a suitably qualified and registered hypnotherapist.
Will I remember what happened when I was in the hypnotic state?
Frequently, following a hypnotic session, you will remember everything that took place, as if recalling a dream. Depending on the level of depth of trance you have been under you may remember everything that occurred. Only in the deepest level of trance will you not remember what transpired. The medical profession has determined that it is not necessary to be in a deep level trance for the benefits of hypnosis to be administered. Time distortion is common and you may believe you have been in a trance for a few minutes when you have been under therapy for half an hour or more.
Will I have difficulty coming out of the hypnotic state?
No. There has never been a documented case of someone remaining under hypnosis. In fact coming out of hypnosis is refreshing and relaxing to most individuals who often compare this feeling to waking up from a deep or restful sleep. When you emerge from a hypnotic trance you will feel calm and rested, with a more positive attitude.
Can I be influenced to do anything against my will or nature?
No. In fact you would be shocked out of the hypnotic state immediately if anything which violates your own moral codes was suggested to you. A person in a hypnotic state has full control and will not accept or act upon any suggestion that is contrary to their belief system.
How many sessions will I need?
Working with the subconscious mind is a powerful process which usually produces noticeable results within a short time, sometimes immediately.
People generally experience positive changes within the first session or two. Although some problems may be alleviated in just one session, most issues are best dealt with in 2-6 sessions. It will be clear within the first few sessions whether progress is being made. Some people with deep rooted problems choose to continue with further sessions, dealing with more and more issues as the healing process unfolds. This will be entirely up to the client.
How do I make an appointment?
For Appointments or further information please telephone
Brian D’Cruz on 07535 904344 or email brian@beyondboundarieshypnotherapy.com
