Hypnotherapy

Every human being has within them the capacity for positive change. In hypnotherapy beneficial change is often quick, easy and painless, with the advantage of no side effects. Many problems can be dealt with in 1-3 sessions, making it a cost-effective form of therapy.

Hypnotherapy can be used to improve health and well being and overcome a wide range of problems including:
• Anxiety, panic attacks & phobias
• Stress related problems
• Depression & pain management
• Addictions including stopping smoking
• Eating disorders & weigh control
• Shyness and lack of confidence
• Children's problems including bedwetting
• Nail-biting
• Sleep difficulties
• Driving test, exam & interview nerves
• Travel fright
• Psychosomatic conditions
• For personal growth
• Relationships
• To improve sports performance and study skills

Hypnosis induces an altered state of awareness, commonly known as trance. Trance is a natural state of deep relaxation and concentration. In trance the mind turns inwards, where it focuses on memory, thoughts, fantasy, plans, etc.

The experience of hypnosis is likened to the common experience of daydreaming, It is also similar to the time just before sleep, when you are comfortably relaxed but still aware of your environment. Almost anyone can be hypnotised, and in most sessions on a light trance state is required to be effective. When under hypnosis you are not asleep. You can hear everything being said.

Hypnosis always requires the cooperation of the subject. Extensive clinical research has shown that a client cannot be made to do anything in trance that he or she would not do in their normal state.

Modern hypnotherapy uses the trance state to channel the untapped resources of the subconscious mind. It has little relation to stage hypnosis. Serious therapists respect and care for their clients. They cannot force clients to act against their wishes. Suggestions are carried out because the client is willing to do them. A client can at any time end the trance state. Trance states cannot be maintained without the subjects awareness.

Advanced hypnotherapy is based on the work of the late Dr Milton Erickson. He was described as: "the creative, perceptive and ingenious psychotherapeutic master of all time".

Two major factors central to Erickson's work are:
1) each person is a unique individual. Therefore hypnotherapy is designed to meet the individual's needs, rather than expecting a person to fit into a set formula.
2) Every person has within himself or herself all the resources and capabilities to surmount any problem.

Each person has his or her own particular map of the world, their own way of thinking, interacting with others, and experiencing life. In the initial session, the Ericksonian hypnotherapist will discover what his client's individual map of the world is. This means finding out the lifestyle and experience of the client and being aware both of their conscious and unconscious communications. The therapist will then use the clients own map of the world as a basis for solving the problem to enable the person to access and use their untapped resources.

Trance is only one of the methods of Ericksonian Hypnotherapy/Psychotherapy. There are many approaches to the subconscious mind, which can help clients overcome problems quickly or achieve personal growth.

NLP (Neuro-linguistic-Programming) is one of these methods. It is a study of how language, both verbal and non verbal affects our nervous system. It offers specific methods which can be applied effectively in any human interaction. It is used to rapidly create lasting changes. It can also be taught to clients who was to enable them to alter their lifestyle, and to change unwanted or undesirable habits.

All clients are also taught a simple form of self hypnosis. This is helpful, both to reinforce the work done in therapy, and as an excellent antidote to stress and anxiety.

Note:
It is stressed that hypnotherapy is not a substitute for orthodox medical care for people with medical problems. Patients who are undergoing medical treatment should remain in the care of their physicians whilst undergoing hypnotherapy. If you have a physical problem, please consult your doctor first in case medical attention is necessary.