HYPNOSIS & HYPNOTHERAPY
'We all experience hypnosis daily without realising it!'
What is hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a state of total focussed concentration on an idea or concept. Hypnosis was the term used in the 19th century and was taken from the Greek word hypnos, meaning sleep, because that is what the state resembled. However, under hypnosis the person is not asleep, nor unconscious, nor semi-conscious.
Hypnosis is a therapeutic tool which helps to facilitate change and therefore benefits the person receiving it. However, in order for that change to occur (which happens at a subconscious level) the person must first be hypnotised!
Hypnosis can make a person feel relaxed or very relaxed and with the help of an induction, using imagery and sometimes music, this helps to induce that relaxed state of both mind and body. Hypnosis induces a deeper level of relaxation and during this state allows what is called the conscious critical faculty to be by-passed, which is where the therapy part comes in. Hypnosis allows the process of change to begin, but it is the therapy part, applied under hypnosis, which brings about change. There is an awareness of surroundings and anyone can 'come out' of the hypnotic state, or state of relaxation whenever they choose to.
The depth and duration of the state of hypnosis depends very much upon the individual. For some people, only a light state may be achieved after a session of an hour, whereas in just a minute or so, others may achieve a very much deeper state. A very deep state of hypnosis (the Esdaile State) is sometimes used in surgery and the patient will feel no pain, nor show any concern. Of course, not everyone can accept hypnosis, despite the best efforts from the most skilled of therapists! The reasons being perhaps that a person may find it difficult, or impossible to clear their mind in order to achieve that state of calm relaxation.
Clients can be taught to use self-hypnosis, which helps to maintain any beneficial changes that have taken place, as well as promoting and enhancing their mental and physical well-being.
'Hypnotherapy may be able to get to the root of the problem'
Misconceptions about hypnosis Sometimes there are misconceptions about hypnosis - perhaps because of hearsay; maybe due to what has been written or seen. These misconceptions about hypnosis can induce a fear of being hypnotised, which may prevent individuals from experiencing this phenomenon.
There is no such thing as an hypnotised feeling and because hypnosis feels normal, people do not think they've experienced it,or even 'gone under''. Tests comparing brainwave patterns show the same patterns whether a person is in hypnosis, or in a normal state of relaxation.
Benefits of hypnotherapy Hypnotherapy doesn't involve drugs nor involve any physical application, which will help in cases where a person may be suffering from a physical complaint or condition.
Hypnosis helps by-pass the conscious mind in order to access the subconscious, where beneficial therapy can take place. The conscious part of the mind is the thinking, analytical, logical part and processes can interfere with a successful outcome to therapy. In this respect therefore, hypnotherapy has an advantage in that the conscious mind is by-passed in order to prevent conscious interference - like taking an alternative route to get to the subconscious part of the mind. Thought processes are changed in a subtle way, to help release the client from the symptom or habit, the client either believes he/she didn't have a problem in the first place, or it wasn't as bad as he/she first thought it was!
Various therapeutic techniques
Hypnotherapy can be a very effective treatment method which can use various therapeutic techniques such as Suggestion Therapy, Hypnoanalysis, NLP and SymbioDynamics to help you to get to the root of the problem. Using the power of your own mind, hypnotherapy, in conjunction with these various techniques, can assist you in finding a way of dealing with, or perhaps overcoming the difficulty you are experiencing.
What is Suggestion Therapy?
Suggestion therapy can be a powerful, quick and effective treatment method for clients who are experiencing a problem or difficulty in their lives considered to be of a more general nature. Suggestion therapy is usually given whilst the client is in a pleasantly relaxed hypnotic state and suggestions are always worded and presented in a positive way. Suggestion uses visualisation methods, especially employing the four senses of sight, hearing, touch and smell to act as an enhancement, thereby helping the client to make desired goals a possibility!
What is Hypnoanalysis?
Hypnoanalysis, or Analytical Therapy, in effect combines hypnosis with Psychotherapy. Psychotherapy is the 'talking cure' where the healing process, or capacity to cure, lies within the individual.
Hypnoanalysis can uncover and help to remove many concealed emotional issues such as anxiety, worry, stress, confidence issues, panic attacks, insomnia, relationship problems, alcoholism, obsessive disorders and phobias. It is also possible for analysis to reveal and deal effectively with emotions still attached to events long-forgotten.
'Analytical therapy can help get to the root, or underlying cause of a problem'