Down To Earth Therapies

Hypnotherapy

• What is Hypnotherapy ?

• Myths about hypnosis

• Some frequently asked questions....

  • What training does a hypnotherapist undergo to gain their qualification and be able to practice ?

  • What does it feel like to be hypnotised ?

  • Can I be hypnotised ?

  • Will I remember what happens during the sessions ?

  • Will I behave in a manner that would later cause me embarrassment whilst under hypnosis ?

  • What about stage hypnotism ?

  • Could I be taken advantage of whilst having hypnosis ?

  • Who can it help ?

  • What happens when I go for treatment ?

  • How many treatments will I need ?
    

1.  What is Hypnotherapy ?

• The name 'hypnosis' comes from the Greek word 'hypnos' meaning sleep
• Evidence exists which demonstrates that hypnosis has been used for many hundreds of years as a therapeutic tool , although it is only in more recent times that we have achieved a greater understanding of how it works
• It is a powerful technique which allows access to the subconscious mind in order to bring about positive change in the person's mind
• It is a way of planting constructive ideas into the mind replacing unhealthy ones
• It is a process that a person enters into willingly
• It is a pleasant, relaxing experience

2.  Myths about hypnosis

• Hypnosis is not magic - there is a very logical explanation as to how it works
• A person can not be hypnotised against their will
• Hypnosis is not sleep: during hypnosis the brain emits alpha waves which indicates that the mind is mentally alert, even though the body is deeply relaxed
• Some people believe that the person under hypnosis is unconscious and is not aware of being said to them - this wrong ! - people under hypnosis can hear everything that is being said to them
• Hypnotherapy can not change your personality - it aims to bring out the best in you, helping you to shed unwanted habits or behaviour, thereby helping you to become a happier, healthier person.
• You will not reveal anything under hypnosis that you don't want to

3.  Some frequently asked questions....

What training does a hypnotherapist undergo to gain their qualification and be able to practice ?

Hypnotherapy is self-regulating which means there a number of professional bodies which set the standards which trainees need to reach in order to practice. They set minimum standards, including number of hours of tuition, supervised practice, written assignments and case studies. All hypnotherapists are obliged to take out insurance in order to join a professional organisation.

What does it feel like to be hypnotised ?

• it feels like a very deep state of relaxation which means that some people feel like their limbs are very heavy - because of the release of tension in their muscles
• some people conversely can feel very light, like they're floating
• others feel a little detached from their body, like their limbs are not there
• hypnotism is a very natural state which everybody has already experienced - like when you are on a long tedious car journey, when your mind switches off, and when you reach your destination, you can't remember the details of your journey, but you have still very safely negotiated your way. Or perhaps on a hot sunny day lying on the beach or a park, you drift off in a hazy daydream, or when you listen to music with a very repetitive beat. Despite being in this daydreaming state though, you could still respond to something which needs your attention - this is very similar to hypnotism. You are very relaxed but also alert.

Can I be hypnotised ?

• Probably yes, as most people can be hypnotised
• A small percentage of people can not be hypnotised - between 5 -10% can not be hypnotised, about another 5- 10% can very easily be hypnotised, the rest of the population fall in between the two parameters.
• It does need the co-operation of the subject to be hypnotised though
• the ease at which the person can be hypnotised depends upon many factors but has nothing to do with his or her level of intelligence

Will I remember what happens during the sessions ?

Yes - 99% of people do remember what has been said during hypnotherapy , although sometimes some people might need to have their memories jogged.

Will I behave in a manner that would later cause me embarrassment whilst under hypnosis ?

No, because the hypnotherapist is offering therapy and therefore wishes the greatest good for the client.

 

You can not contradict your usual moral standards or judgement whilst under hypnosis. If the hypnotherapist suggests something that was against your moral standards, you would simply not do it

What about stage hypnotism ?

The people who get hypnotised at a stage show have gone to be entertained and not for therapy. Those who end up on stage are the minority of the population that are very susceptible to being hypnotised and have willingly paid money to be entertained and to be part of the entertainment.

 

Stage hypnotists have had to apply to the local council and gain a licence in order to practice stage hypnotism. They have to comply with certain rules and standards and are subject to heavy penalties if they don't conform to these. They also need to be properly insured.

Could I be taken advantage of whilst having hypnosis ?

It would not be in any therapist's interest to take advantage of a client as their reputation would be instantly tainted and they would be struck off from their professional organisation if they behaved in a manner not conducive to their status. They could also be subject to legal proceedings.

 

No, because you are aware of everything that is said or happens to you whilst under hypnosis, and it is possible for you to stop the session if you so wish..

 

All sessions are confidential. Records are kept but cannot be shown to anyone else without your prior permission.

Who can it help ?

Those who -

• have undesirable habits that they want to stop, like smoking, nail-biting, teeth -grinding and hair chewing / pulling
• want to overcome fears or phobias
• suffer from low self- esteem, lack in confidence, feel self-conscious, experience excessive blushing in social situations
• have problems sleeping
• suffer anxiety, stress and minor depression
• want to boost their sports performance
• suffer from exam nerves, stage fright
• suffer from bed-wetting
• want to reduce their pain levels
• want to control their weight

What happens when I go for treatment ?

Initially the hypnotherapist will take some details from you including what it is that you need help with. The hypnotherapist will also need to explore with the you the history of your problem as everybody's situation is unique to them. This is also a valuable time for you - the client and the therapist to establish a sense of trust and confidence in each other.

Prior to the therapy, the hypnotherapist will explain the nature of hypnotherapy and how they are going to proceed with the session. Then, if you are happy to continue, the hypnotherapist will use deep relaxation techniques, to help you, into a state of hypnosis which is not sleep but similar to the stage immediately prior to sleep. Once under hypnosis, you will be given suggestions based on the behaviour or habit you wish to change. The content of this 'suggestion' therapy is geared towards the individual client, taking into account his or her particular situation.

It might be appropriate to use other techniques like 'desensitisation', which is often used with clients who suffer from phobias. The client, under hypnosis, is gently & gradually introduced to the source of their fear, session by session, in their imagination, until they reach the stage when they can transfer this practice into the real situation.

Hypnotherapists also use ego-strengthening techniques to help boost their clients' confidence and achieve their goals.

On some occasions, hypnotherapists can use a technique called 'regression' or 'analytical' therapy. Its objective is to find out the root cause of the client's problem. Under hypnosis, the client is asked to take themselves back to the time/s in their life which have led to their present difficulty and to talk about this/ these. These can be occasions which might or might not be remembered by the conscious mind. Often these memories take the client back to their childhood. Reliving these memories under hypnosis, can have a very therapeutic, beneficial effect, because it can releases pent-up emotions that might have been previously repressed and enable s the client to let go of the past and get on with their life.

 

Regression is not a therapy that is undergone lightly and therefore would not be used in the first session with the therapist. Also ,it would not be used on people who, in the opinion of the therapist, are too emotional vulnerable.

How many treatments will I need ?

For cessation of unwanted habits like smoking it usually requires about 3 treatments, for fears and phobias you are likely to need more depending on how deep-rooted the problem is. The same is true for other conditions but it very much depends upon the individual client.

 

Hypnotherapy is not usually a therapy that needs an excessive amount of treatment sessions as it can be a very dynamic tool to helping people deal with certain problems in their lives.