1. What is hypnosis?

Opinions vary on the exact definition of this natural state of mind. First of all, contrary to what many people believe, hypnosis is not always a trance state or a sleep state even though a person in hypnosis may appear to be sleeping. Hypnosis is really natural state of mind and is an important part of everyday life. Whenever our mind wanders, daydreams or is focused on something, such as reading a book, driving a familiar route, watching a film we are in a state of hypnosis.

Brain scans on people who are in hypnosis state show that brain wave activity moves from a Beta state to an Alpha state, and sometimes a Theta state. This is not dissimilar to the pattern of brain activity during meditation.

2. If I’m hypnotised do I give up control?

Do we give up control of our mind to someone else when we are reading a book or watching a film? In situations like this you are in a hypnotic trance, although you still have the power to emerge from that state if wished. Whatever or whomever hypnotizes you; you always have the power to resist.

When you realize that you are the one in control, when you decide how deeply into hypnosis you wish to go, then you become aware of what hypnosis is. A hypnotherapist is a guide and helps you on a journey, but the change can only be made by you.

Often the realization that you are in control, and that you can make change yourself is very empowering. You’ll find that the more often you going into hypnosis, aware that you doing it, the more you realize how easy it is to let go, secure in the knowledge that you can always stop a session if you feel uncomfortable.

Some hypnotherapists use the knowledge that actually we are always in hypnosis and will have an open discussion with you, just altering their language patters, using suggestions relating to your goal and the changes you wish to make, without taking you into a ‘trance state’ at all.

3. How does hypnosis feel?

Hypnosis is a natural state of mind; people are often surprised that they hear every word and could get up and walk out of the room at any moment. Unless you enter a deeper state, you may not seem any different, just very relaxed.

It’s similar to drifting off to sleep at night, that stage when you are not quite awake and not quite asleep, you may feel a sense of weightlessness or you may feel heaviness as all your muscles relax. Everyone experiences it differently, and your therapist will be able to reassure you and help you relax and enjoy the experience.

Most people are surprised at just how relaxing it is.

4. What can hypnosis be used to treat.

Hypnosis can be used to help treat a wide range of issues such as:

• Fears and phobias
• Physical conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, skin conditions and migraines
• Anxiety and stress
• Panic attacks
• Tinnitus
• Fertility
• Insomnia
• Lack of confidence

It can also be used as a tool to:

• Manage pain
• Improve performance at work or in sport
• Improve birth outcomes

5. What will happen in a hypnosis session?

Your hypnotherapist will take detailed history and with some conditions may request permission from you to write to their doctor, to let them know you are having hypnotherapy.

They will then discuss you goal and what you would like to see or feel at the end of your sessions.

Using a range of different techniques your hypnotherapist will relax you, make you feel comfortable and work with you towards achieving your goal.

After a session you may feel uplifted, lighter and very relaxed. Often change is very subtle, as your hypnotherapist will be working with you subconscious mind, and you may just notice a very positive shift in how you are feeling.

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