FAQs
We've answered some of the most Frequently Asked Questions to do with Hypnosis and Clinical Hypnotherapy. By doing this, we hope to dispel the myths and clear up the misconceptions, encouraging more people to use hypnotherapy to enhance and empower their lives.
What is Hypnosis? What is Hypnotherapy?
In order to answer the question “What Is Hypnosis?” or “What Is Hypnotherapy?”, let’s first discuss what hypnosis/hypnotherapy IS NOT.
Hypnosis/Hypnotherapy is:
- NOT sleep
- NOT a magic pill/bullet/wand
- NOT mind control
- NOT unconsciousness (you are still aware, conscious, able to hear and respond and always in control. You WILL, and should, hear what is being said by your hypnotherapist – can feel very much like meditation/guided meditation or even the daydream state.
You are responsible for your results. I cannot make you do it, I cannot do it to you, I cannot do it for you, I am merely offering you a powerful tool with which to empower yourself.
Let’s put it this way – with hypnosis I can show you the door and even open the door for you but ultimately you must make the decision to walk through the door…….and then walk through it! It’s the same as a push-up! I can show you how to do a push-up, but I can’t make you do the push-up, I can’t do the push-up for you, ultimately it is up to you to actually do the push-up!
How does Hypnosis work?
Your mind works on two levels, the conscious mind and the subconscious mind levels. You make decisions, think, and act with your conscious mind. Your subconscious is like the hard drive of your computer – it’s the part of your mind that runs those programs that we call habits.
In the relaxed state known as hypnosis we can communicate directly with your subconscious mind and help it to change its program and patterning to develop newer, healthier habits and behaviours. That’s why it’s so quick and easy to change lifelong beliefs and habits using hypnotic techniques.
Hypnosis is the state in which the therapy can be applied.
Hypnosis – The state generally typified by trance + Therapy – Instructions, Pattern Disconnection, New Program/Behaviour Installation = HYPNOTHERAPY.
Wikipedia states the following:
Hypnosis is “a special psychological state with certain physiological attributes, resembling sleep only superficially and marked by a functioning of the individual at a level of awareness other than the ordinary conscious state.” According to “state theory”, it is a mental state, while, according to “non-state theory”, it is imaginative role-enactment.
While under this state of mind, one’s focus and concentration is heightened. This individual is able to concentrate intensely on a specific thought or memory, while blocking out all possible sources of distraction. Hypnosis is usually induced by a procedure known as a hypnotic induction, which is commonly composed of a long series of preliminary instructions and suggestions. Hypnotic suggestions may be delivered by a hypnotist in the presence of the subject, or may be self-administered (“self-suggestion” or “autosuggestion”). The use of hypnotism for therapeutic purposes is referred to as “hypnotherapy”, while its use as a form of entertainment for an audience is known as “stage hypnosis”.
The term “hypnosis” comes from the Greek word hypnos which means sleep. The words hypnosis and hypnotism both derive from the term neuro-hypnotism (nervous sleep) coined by the Scottish surgeon James Braid around 1841. Braid based his practice on that developed by Franz Mesmer and his followers (“Mesmerism” or “animal magnetism”), but differed in his theory as to how the procedure worked.
Contrary to a popular misconception—that hypnosis is a form of unconsciousness resembling sleep—contemporary research suggests that hypnotic subjects are fully awake and are focusing attention, with a corresponding decrease in their peripheral awareness. Subjects also show an increased response to suggestions.
However, in plain and simple terms, hypnosis is:
A state of deep relaxation, a relaxed state of mind, that is typified by focused attention and heightened awareness and suggestibility. The experience or sensation of hypnosis, or the trance-like state, can vary quite dramatically from person to person. Some hypnotized individuals report feeling a sense of detachment and/or extreme relaxation during the hypnotic state, while others even feel that their actions seem to occur outside of their conscious volition – meaning for example that they may be aware of one of their fingers moving in response to a question from the hypnotist even though they did not consciously move the finger. Other people may remain fully aware and able to carry out conversations while under hypnosis.
Other explanations of hypnosis:
Hypnosis is not a magic wand and cannot make you do something you do not want to do. However, it can be likened to falling into a hole and someone throwing you a rope – it is up to you whether or not you take the rope and climb out.
Hypnosis assists you to tap into your own self repairing mechanism – that is the part of your mind/body that knows what is wrong/out of balance/amiss and the part of your mind/body that know how to fix/change/rebalance/correct – it is a powerful tool that is a short term influence affecting long term change and benefit.
A few of the issues that can be addressed with Hypnosis or Hypnotherapy include but are not limited to:
- Stop Smoking, Quit Cigarettes
- Substance Abuse, Substance Dependency, Substance Abuse or Chemical Dependence
- Weight Loss, HypnoBand, Weight Management
- Alcohol Dependency or Alcohol Abuse
- Depression and Anxiety
- Cancer and Cancer Pain Management
- Gambling Dependency
- Past Life Regression Therapy
- Fears and Phobias
Is Hypnosis safe?
Hypnosis is completely safe. It is a relaxing and an enjoyable experience. You are still conscious, aware and in control at every moment and can terminate the session at any time. Hypnosis is not sleep, nor can you get “stuck” in a state of hypnosis. If an emergency were to arise while you are hypnotised you can easily become fully alert and attend to the problem at hand. You will remember virtually everything after your session. You can’t be made to do something against your will!
How will I know if I’m hypnotised?
Most people can’t tell the difference between the hypnotised state and the waking state. Some people feel relaxed and lethargic, others feel a sort of lightness. For many it feels much like just before you fall asleep at night and you’re lying in bed feeling half awake, half asleep and very relaxed. Others feel as if they are in a daydream or even feel as if they are in a guided meditation (meditation and hypnosis are both in the brainwave frequency of THETA). Whatever way you feel and experience hypnosis, you will always be in control. We repeat – you will always be in control! You won’t be asleep or “zonked out” although you do feel very calm and relaxed after the session. You will hear your hypnotherapist talking to you as well as any background sounds or noises. One thing that people do notice is an inexplicable change in their daily behaviour.
How long will it take before I notice any changes?
Every person is an individual and as such each person will notice changes in their own unique way and own unique time frame. Generally, for most hypnosis programs, you will need 3 to 5 sessions to bring about lasting change, however you should start noticing positive changes after the first few sessions.
*Please Note: This general time frame does not typically apply to Specialised Hypnosis Programs.
*Please note – hypnotherapy may not be suitable for every person or every condition and as such we reserve the right to refuse our services or refer you to another practitioner if your requirements are deemed by us to be outside of our current skill set.
**Please note –If you are currently under the care of a Psychiatrist, Psychologist or Mental Wellbeing
Practitioner then a referral, letter or agreement from your medical practitioner will be required before you will be accepted for our hypnotherapy service. We may also require to be in contact with other health practitioners involved in your care.
*Remember: we cannot and do not guarantee you will absolutely achieve your goal– only you can do that. We will however do everything we can to assist you to do so.
Whatever your issue may be, contact us today, to discuss how hypnosis or hypnotherapy may assist you to take control of your life and make lasting positive change a reality.