What is Clinical Hypnotherapy?

Clinical Hypnotherapy is the treatment of physical and/or psychological problems through hypnosis, within a strict ethical and professional framework.  Before embarking on treatment the practitioner must have a clear, therapeutic goal.  Clinical Hypnotherapy has rapidly become accepted by the medical profession as the preferred treatment, and sometimes the only effective treatment, for numerous ailments.  Clinical Hypnotherapy is a safe, natural process which can benefit both children and adults alike.  It can change your life.

How can Clinical Hypnotherapy help you?

Through deep relaxation and entering the hypnotic state, the subconscious mind can be accessed.  It is here that unhelpful patterns and habitual behaviours become lodged over time.  When you are under hypnosis, a skilful therapist can, hand in hand with your own motivation, help bring about profound, long-lasting change.  Clinical Hypnotherapy gives you the inner helping hand you need to change ingrained habits and patterns.  Afterwards change seems to come about effortlessly and unconsciously.

What exactly happens during hypnosis? 

During hypnosis the parasympathetic nervous system takes over as the body relaxes.  The creative, right side of the brain becomes dominant and the logical, critical left brain is "turned down".  This leaves us more receptive to new ideas and different ways of solving problems.

What can I expect from a Clinical Hypnotherapy session?

Firstly, a thorough case history is taken and your goals are discussed at length.  This can take up to three quarters of an hour.  The more your therapist gets to know about you, your lifesyle and your motivavtion the better she can tailor your therapy to your needs.  Also be prepared to discuss your medical history; in certain cases it may be necessary to liaise with your GP before treatment.

Your practitioner will ensure you are relaxed and comfortable.  She will then either ask you to close your eyes, or will encourage eye closure through eye fatigue (eg asking you to look at a spot on the wall until your eyes grow tired).  The purpose of this is to reduce sensory stimulation, allowing you to relax more deeply and close down your critical inner voice.  The best thing you can do here is to relax and go with it, even if it seems a little strange - after all, you want to change your life and have already made an investment in terms of your time and money. 

Guided by the carefully chosen words of a skilled hypnotherapist you will be led into a state of deep relaxation, sometimes called trance, where your inner mind becomes highly receptive to helpful suggestions for change. 

Trance is a natural state that we have all experienced in our lives.  Being in trance feels like just before you fall asleep, or just when you are waking up.  You may be aware of certain things but can't be bothered to do anything about them.  Your focus is similar to when you are engrossed in a book or a football match, when you may "blank out" voices, noises or things happening around you.  These are examples of natural trances. You are experiencing an "altered state" of consciousness.  There is nothing magical or other-worldly about it.  A critical point to understand here is that nobody can hypnotise you against your will.  You remain fully in control throughout and aware of everything going on.  If you want to resist you can.  If anyone suggests anything that doesn't fit with your morals or ethics, your mind will bring you straight out of trance.   

Your therapist will have devised a script tailored specifically to your needs and she will deliver this along with positive suggestions for the future.  You will then be gently brought back to full consciousness, feeling refreshed and full of optimism for the future.