Hypnotherapy frequently asked questions
What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is simply a natural yet powerful frame of mind in which people can use their unconscious mind and imagination far more effectively to feel relaxed and achieve things that they previously thought impossible through conscious effort or willpower. When under hypnosis you feel very relaxed, just like that wonderful feeling when you are tired lying in your bed and you are so overcome with comfort that you wish the moment could last forever.

Hypnosis myths and misconceptions
It is unfortunate that most people's first encounter of hypnosis is through watching television and stage hypnotism. This can lead people to believe that they may be controlled or manipulated or made to do something 'silly'.... I can assure you that nothing could be further from the truth. There is absolutely no question of being controlled or manipulated -You are not immobilised during trance. You can adjust your position, scratch, sneeze, or cough. You can open your eyes and bring yourself out of trance anytime you wish. you may be surprised to find out that during hypnosis your senses, creativity, concentration and awareness are actually heightened. During hypnosis you do not fall asleep but you will feel totally relaxed and very much at ease. In fact, you can even talk quite easily and at times, you may be required to do so. It is also a commonly held belief that there are some people that 'cannot be hypnotised' but although some people are more susceptible than others to hypnotherapy, both children and adults can easily achieve the state of hypnosis and enjoy its benefits.

What can hypnosis do for me that I could not already do for myself?
Whilst under hypnosis, the conscious mind is bypassed and the unconscious mind is spoken to. This means that clients are mentally focused and relaxed physically that they are more able to receive suggestions that in full waking state they may reject or talk themselves out of.

Am I in full control whilst under hypnosis?
Quite simply the answer is yes. Suggestions made during hypnosis will be the result of discussions made with the therapist prior to the hypnosis sessions. As soon as a client enters a hypnotic state, they will engage their conscious awareness to analyse what has been said to ensure that they feel safe and comfortable with the suggestions being made. If at any point the client is asked to do anything that they did not feel safe and comfortable with, they would bring themselves out of hypnosis.

No-one can be forced or encouraged to do something that they would not already be inclined to do.

Can hypnosis ‘Cure’ me?
Some clients believe that once hypnotised they will be completely ‘cured’ of their condition – whatever this may be. The word ‘cure’ implies total and permanent remission from all symptoms. Although hypnosis provides great relief and change, the underlying cause of the symptoms must still be identified and treated. This is where clinical psychotherapy can be highly beneficial. Clients also need to take an active role during the hypnotherapy treatment. It is essential for clients to hear, feel and remember every element of the hypnosis process so they start to notice the changes taking place gradually and not all at once. Clients must also be prepared to do some work for themselves outside of sessions. Hypnosis is ‘not’ a cure.

I don’t believe I can be hypnotised – How will I know it’s worked?
As previously suggested, clients can only be hypnotised if they want to and are ready to be hypnotised. No therapist can ‘make’ a client go into a hypnotised state. Secondly, clients may not remember everything that the therapist says during hypnosis but may find that over a period of time, elements of the therapy will be remembered. Finally, clients will be able to notice change over a period of time.

How do the sessions work?
To begin with, the therapist will talk at length with the client about what it is they want to achieve using hypnosis, create a personal profile of the client and discuss the number of possible sessions needed. The information gained from the initial consultation will help the therapist create a unique hypnotic script for that client.
At the first session, the client will be made to feel relaxed and welcome before the hypnosis begins.
Scripts are broken down and primarily consist of,
Induction: This is the part where the client is relaxed and enters a trance state.
Deepener: This is when the state is deepened using guided imagery and/or a count down.
Suggestion: This is when positive, realistic and achievable proposals are made to the client which promote further increased suggestibility or obtain therapeutic changes.
Awakening: As the name suggests, this is the part when the client is brought back to full consciousness normally by counting up.