To check available times when arranging counselling sessions Click Here

What is hypnosis?

Hypnosis is simply a state of highly focused concentration and heightened awareness. You unknowingly experience this natural state every day. It's just a way of tuning out distracting thoughts, and focusing your attention, just as you do when you're daydreaming, or when totally absorbed in a film, book, TV show, or favorite hobby, or even when driving.

Hypnosis is thought to work by altering your state of consciousness, in such a way that the analytical left-hand side of the brain is quietened down, while the non-analytical right-hand side is made more alert. This allows the unconscious mind to come to the fore, where it is able to accept suggestions more easily. The unconscious mind contains all your memories and experiences, and controls your automatic thoughts and behaviors, and this is the part, which has to change for your behavior and physical state to alter.

What is hypnotherapy?

In hypnotherapy you are guided into hypnosis for therapeutic purposes. It is literally therapy done while in hypnosis and can be thought of as an effective and speedy form of psychotherapy. Hypnotherapy can change your patterns of behavior and perceptions, enabling irrational fears, phobias, habits, negative thoughts and suppressed emotions to be overcome. With the help of the hypnotherapist, you are able to look at problems differently and maybe discover solutions to problems that had been missed before.

Using hypnosis to gain access to the unconscious mind allows the therapist to suggest positive and beneficial ideas, which become firmly planted in your unconscious. It is also possible to recall and resolve past memories, which relate to current blockages. Old, outdated and inappropriate patterns of behavior can be dropped, in favour of new and more rewarding ways of being.

It is generally assumed that hypnotherapy is limited to dealing with problems such as smoking and excess weight, however a major part of a hypnotherapist's practice is in dealing with such problems as stress, anxiety, panic attacks, as well as physical complaints such as migraine, arthritis, digestive disorders, asthma, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and numerous psychosomatic illnesses.

Are there any dangers in hypnosis?

There are no substantiated cases of harm befalling any hypnotised subject. The British Medical Association approved hypnotherapy as a valid medical treatment in 1955 and the American Medical Association followed in 1958

Hypnosis for Childbirth

What Is It and Does It Work?

Hypnosis for childbirth is an evidence-based method of relieving pain and discomfort during the process of welcoming your child into the world. There have been numerous clinical trials showing the benefits of using hypnosis and relaxation techniques during labour and the methods of hypnosis have been developing for many years.

Mention labour an expectant mum in her last trimester, and most will tense up; some will turn white with fear. For some women, childbirth is a very fearful event, but for women using hypnosis and relaxation techniques, it is merely a challenge.

These wise women use hypnosis to eliminate pain and fear from the birthing experience. In the past, the word "hypnosis" conjured up images of stage hypnotists and people acting like chickens. Now it is common for hypnosis to be used therapeutically in many areas of medicine, dental anesthesia and personal therapy sessions. Many people wanting to improve in self-confidence, health or work are turning to this powerful tool to help them change their lives.

Some FACTS about hypnosis

All hypnosis is self-hypnosis; the practitioner is only a guide. Each individual chooses to enter into a hypnotic state, the depth of his or her trance and can stay in and come out at will.

Approximately 90-95% of the population can be hypnotized. Willingness, belief and motivation have great influence over the depth of your trance.

During hypnosis you are neither asleep nor unconscious, and will always "come out" when you wish.

Stronger-minded and stronger-willed people are easier to hypnotize; not the other way around as is usually assumed. Those with scientific or analytical minds are most likely to find hypnosis 'easy'.

You cannot be made to reveal information or do anything against your will while in hypnosis. And a good practitioner will not ask you to.

Hypnosis is simply a tool that you may use to tap into your inner mind, the sub-conscious, where your memories, experiences and beliefs are stored.

back to top?