Hypnotherapy is a clinical technique which is a combination of Hypnosis and therapeutic intervention. The hypnotherapist works with the client to induce the hypnotic state whereby the client enters a deep state of relaxation. When in a state of hypnosis, the client enters an altered our state of consciousness where conscious control of the mind is inhibited thereby providing access to the subconscious.
During hypnosis, your body relaxes and your thoughts become more focused. This is a relaxed state where you feel at ease physically yet fully awake mentally. Your conscious mind becomes less alert and your subconscious mind becomes more focused.
The subconscious mind is a deeper-seated, more instinctive force than the conscious mind and is responsible for 90% of what drives us. The primary directive of the subconscious mind is to keep us safe and is responsible for the vital functions of the body such as breathing, digestion and heart rate. The subconscious is also the place where we hold our emotions, beliefs, patterns, programs and habits. The subconscious does not forget anything that happens to but we lose the pathway to the information. Hypnotherapy provides a way to access this information and with the assistance of the hypnotherapist, the client is able to find and release or reprogram unwanted behaviours, patterns, beliefs, emotions, habits or addictions.
Hypnotherapy is used to discover the original cause of psychological, emotional and behavioural problems. It is aims to get to the root cause of the problem and once revealed and cleared, the symptoms will disappear. The reason why Hypnotherapy can help a number of conditions, habits or addictions is that named conditions are often symptoms of another issue, buried trauma, emotion, shock, bereavement etc, which was not expressed, understood and released at the time.
During hypnotherapy, therapeutic goals can be undertaken, such as treating phobias, releasing addictions or habits, changing patterns, beliefs, or programs, exploring emotions and altering detrimental thought patterns.
What problems can be treated by hypnotherapy?
- Many psychological, emotional and physical disorders
- Pain management
- Stress management
- Insomnia
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Digestive complaints
- Anxiety disorders
- Obsessive Compulsive Behaviour (OCD)
- Addictions such as drug and alcohol
- Habits such as smoking, nail biting
- Phobias
- Panic attacks
What to expect during a hypnotherapy session
During a hypnotherapy session, the hypnotherapist will conduct a client intake where they will discuss the presenting concern with the client and gather relevant information. Following client intake, the hypnotherapist will guide the client into the deep relaxation of trance. The session is a two way discussion whereby the hypnotherapist and client work together towards the goal of the session. All hypnosis is self hypnosis and the client gets better at going into the altered state with more practice. During the session the client is fully aware of what is happening and has full control.
At the end of the session the client will will be gently brought back into the conscious state and there will be a debrief of the session with the hypnotherapist. Following the debrief, there will be discussion regarding any other areas of concern and whether any additional sessions are required. The client may be encouraged to learn and practice self-hypnosis at home which can reinforce the session and lead to on-going improvements.
What hypnotherapy isn’t
Hypnosis is not sleep. During hypnosis, the client is in an altered and heightened state of awareness. The client can’t be made to do what they do not want to do. The client has full control over what is happening during the session.