therapies - Hypnotherapy

What is hypnosis?
Hypnotised patients are not asleep, contrary to the impression given by the name, just very relaxed and \\\'miles away\\\'. Clinical hypnosis, or hypnotherapy, therefore, is the use of an altered state of consciousness for reaching a therapeutic endpoint. This means that people are not treated with hypnosis but are treated in hypnosis. All hypnotic states are characterised by an extremely pleasant state of relaxation, which individuals allow themselves to enter so that desired, beneficial suggestions may be given directly to the mind. During hypnosis there is heightened concentration for the specific purpose of maximising potential, changing limiting beliefs and behaviours and gaining insight and wisdom.

Hypnosis, meditation, day dreaming, being absorbed in a book or music or television, driving \\\'on automatic\\\' and arriving at your destination without recalling all the usual landmarks etc. are all good examples of the state of mind in which we become more able to use the suggestions of the therapist.

How does hypnotherapy work?
The subconscious mind is the source of many of our problems. Our beliefs, self images, habits and behaviours are stored here. At the same time, our subconscious is a tremendous reservoir of our unrecognised strengths and knowledge. Hypnosis is a natural and effective technique for accessing the subconscious mind, the key to unleashing our potential, changing our unwanted habits and behaviours and finding solutions to our problems and concerns. Any therapeutic intervention implies change, so entering a trance state alone does not signify a therapeutic endpoint. Once the individual has decided to achieve a receptive frame of mind, the hypnotherapist uses many different therapeutic methods ranging from simple suggestions to psychoanalysis. For example, the therapist may ask about past, present or future concerns to establish the reasons for the problem. Alternatively the therapist may give suggestions to the subconscious mind aimed at overcoming specific problems such as lack of self confidence.

Some uses of hypnosis, such as calming a person down, require minimal change on the part of that person. More complex behaviour patterns such as overeating, panic disorders or insomnia will require a more complex therapeutic intervention together with psychological and behavioural homework.

What happens in a hypnotherapy session?
The initial task for the therapist is to get to know you. This involves talking about your concerns. The therapist first spends time taking a clinical history. As well as establishing a clinical record, the discussion contributes to building trust and confidence between you and the therapist. Feeling safe, comfortable and secure with the therapist helps the induction of a hypnotic trance. Goals for therapy are discussed and agreed and a full explanation of hypnosis is provided. Any questions or misconceptions about hypnosis are dealt with.

There are many different ways of achieving the trance state. Usually, you lie in a reclining chair or couch and the therapist talks to you in a slow and soothing voice. You may be asked to imagine or visualise walking down a country lane, or stare at a fixed point or listen to the sound of the therapist\\\'s voice. Suggestions for relaxation may also be given. To deepen the trance, the therapist may count you down from 10 to 1 or ask you to imagine walking down a flight of stairs. You will feel very relaxed but still aware of your surroundings. To return to full consciousness, which you can do all by yourself at any time, the therapist may count up from 1 to 10.

The length of treatments depends on the problem or symptom and the individual\\\'s circumstances. With some people a problem like nail biting can be successfully treated in one session. Other problems such as panic attacks can take up to 5 or 6 sessions. In the course of the therapy clients are usually taught self hypnosis as part of a number of therapeutic homework tasks. The first session usually lasts one and a half hours with subsequent sessions about an hour.

Remember, nobody can ever be hypnotised against their will and even when hypnotised, people still remain in complete control of any suggestions given. The whole object of clinical hypnosis is to take back control that has been lost and which has therefore resulted in the symptom or problem. It is estimated that approximately 85% of people of all age groups will readily respond to hypnosis.

You can find us on the Hypnotherapist Register; James will soon be on The Hypnotherapy Register and is a member of The Association for Professional Hypnosis and Psychotherapy and the British Psychological Society; Tony is at British Association of Medical Hypnosis and British Society of Clinical Hypnosis