Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy is one of the oldest therapies, having been practiced since before the times of the ancient Greeks.  More recently, in 1955, the British Medical Association endorsed the practice of hypnosis in Medical School education, since when it has become a valuable addition to conventional medical treatment.

Hypnotherapy is commonly used to:

How does it work?

Hypnosis is a naturally occurring, altered state of consciousness.

When we focus on something very intently, it is often possible to turn down or block completely, other signals that the brain is receiving.  This is especially valuable for pain control.  How many of us have worked hard in the garden, only to find later that we have cut ourselves without being aware of it.  Or heard of athletes, such as Graham Thorpe in the third cricket test against the West Indies in 2004, who was able to bat on despite having chipped a bone in one of his fingers. There are also many examples of operations being carried out where the only anaesthetic has been hypnosis.

The state of hypnosis provides a pathway to our subconscious or unconscious mind – so called because we are not consciously aware of its workings, even though most of our bodily functions such as breathing, heart rate, sweating, temperature control, balance are controlled by it, and all of our long term memories are stored there.  The means of access to our unconscious mind that hypnosis provides allows us to change unhelpful thinking patterns and tap into our full potential.  In this way we can conquer fear of heights or public speaking; improve our relationships by behaving in more useful ways in stressful situations; dump unwanted habits such as smoking and drinking.

What is it like to experience hypnotherapy?

To experience clinical hypnotherapy is to experience a very pleasant state of relaxation, where time seems unimportant and anxiety melts away.  Typically, clients will say that they have never experienced such deep relaxation.  Yet, It may be a surprise to know that it is the patient who is in control and even when hypnotised, people can still reject any suggestions that are not appropriate. 

The hypnotherapist and patient work together in partnership.  The hypnotherapist will take medical details and a careful case study and agree with the patient what they wish to achieve through the process.  Hypnotherapy then allows the patient’s natural abilities to be amplified.  An important part of most hypnotherapy is to teach the patient self – hypnosis.  This allows the patient to spend ten minutes daily, reinforcing and building on the work established with the therapist. 

Can everybody be hypnotised?

Most people (85% plus) can be hypnotised to the level required for successful work to be done.  There is a myth that you have to be weak willed to go into a trance.  The reverse is true.  Because it is the patient who is allowing him/herself to be hypnotised, strong willed, highly focussed individuals typically go into trance very easily. 

In conclusion – hypnotherapy is used for medical purposes such as pain control and to resolve many psychological issues.  It is often successful when other, more conventional methods of treatment have failed.  It is safe and there are no harmful side effects.  When administered by a professionally trained and skilled therapist it offers long lasting and often permanent benefits.