What Is Hypnotherapy?

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What is hypnotherapy and why should you try it?

Say the word hypnosis and the majority of people think of stage hypnotists making a bunch of volunteers look silly on the television or stage, and although the stage hypnotist has learn the same techniques as myself – how to relax his volunteer completely so much so that he can communicate with the subconscious mind – a clinical hypnotherapist is trained to go further and help sort out the problems deep-rooted inside her client’s subconscious mind. Please be assured I will not make you dance round the room like a chicken, unless you really want me to!

People also seem to think that they will be put into some trance-like state where they will not feel in control of their actions and will possibly be manipulated. Again, this is not what happens, as a client you are always in control of the session.

Hypnotherapy is a technique which creates a conducive state of mind. These techniques of relaxation of the mind and body enhances a person’s concentration and in turn aids their responsiveness to the suggestions made by the therapist. It is this that helps to change the client’s behaviour or psychological state.

The psychological state of hypnosis can be different in all people; some are very receptive to hypnosis and the help it can bring. For these people it is easy to relax them into a state where their subconscious is accessible. Some people may need a couple of sessions before they really feel relaxed. I have had clients who say they hear every word I say during the session, others hear some of the session, some hear nothing and I have had the occasional client who snores through the whole session! It doesn’t matter, the subconscious mind is always listening and even if I’m having to raise my voice over the snoring, the message is still going in.

Going into hypnosis is a very restful and relaxing experience, relaxing not only the mind but the muscles in your body by controlled breathing and tensing and untensing the muscle groups (this method of relaxation is called PMR – Progressive Muscle Relaxation).

The idea is to relax the client so completely that it is easy for him or her to access their subconscious mind. This state is similar to the feeling you get when you’re just about to fall asleep – that half asleep – not fully asleep/fully awake sensation you experience where your mind is drifting off (also sometimes accompanied by your leg twitching or kicking out).

The human mind is a powerful thing. Think of it like a massive computer. Everything you’ve ever been taught or learnt, seen or done, said or heard is stored in the database. This database is your subconscious mind. Our conscious mind is only 10% so you can see how vast our subconscious mind is.

When we learn a new skill, be it driving, learning a language, finding our way to a new location, or even talking to one another, our conscious mind is active. Once we have mastered the skill competently, the conscious mind dispatches this information into the subconscious so as to free up the conscious part of our mind for learning new skills and activities. How many of us have driven or walked to work and not remembered the journey? This is because the skill is so well used, our subconscious mind has taken over the role. We are actually walking or driving in a trance-like state. But before you rush off and increase your life insurance, you are perfectly safe. If, for some reason, you needed to stop suddenly, your conscious brain would kick in and take over the situation, safeguarding you.

And your subconscious is always there in the background, even when you’re asleep, it’s still listening out for danger. Everyone’s home has those little creaks and groans – the central heating boiler clicking on, the floorboard that creaks when the house cools down, maybe pets that move around at night, but these noises never wake us up. This is because our subconscious mind knows these noises and knows that we are safe. However should the smoke alarm go off or you hear the sound of the front door being broken into, your subconscious would wake you up. And it doesn’t just apply to self-preservation. How many times have you as a parent heard your child stir and been immediately awakened.

So the subconscious is a good thing?

Well yes, however, as I said it does remember everything it has been told and seen. Being told not to put your hand into boiling hot water is a good tip, likewise don’t walk out in front of cars is also good to know but if you’ve been repeatedly told you are no good as a person, this too becomes a permanent message stored in the subconscious mind. If you are told something negative enough times, you WILL believe it and this leads to low self esteem, lack of confidence and poor performance.

What Can Hypnosis Help With?

Why not contact me to discuss how I can help you move forward with your life?

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