Clinical Hypnotherapy & Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
‘The power to change your mind & destiny’
Hypnosis has been in use for thousands of years. There is a plethora of evidence to support the belief that Hypnosis was in existence and used by the ancient Greeks and Romans, for therapeutic benefit, as far back as the fourth Century BC. Hypnosis – derives from the Greek word ‘Hypnos’ (meaning sleep) because while in the state of Hypnosis, a person is extremely relaxed.
Hypnosis or trance is a state of being, an altered state of awareness. We are always cycling through biological rhythms (ultradian cycles which are in the dream and the waking states) that makes trance a naturally occurring state. Milton Erickson’s definition of trance is an altered state of intense and narrowly focused attention. We are generally talking about an inner directed state where the awareness becomes more and more focused upon the internal thoughts, processes or sensations.
Hypnosis is “a form of highly focused attention,” says Stanford’s Spiegel-an induced state of mind that enables people to alter the way they perceive and process reality.
Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) is an approach to communication, personal development, and psychotherapy.
When a person is in a meditative relaxed state, they find it easier to accept beneficial suggestions and their memory is enhanced.
There is absolutely no question of being controlled or manipulated, or even induced into a deeper trance state. A fact a person in Hypnosis is not asleep, they are often more aware of what is taking place than usual and their senses and mind typically function more efficiently than normal.
The state of hypnosis is an ancient phenomenon, and yet it’s a totally natural experience. A person can converse quite easily whilst within the hypnotised state.
This centuries old technique is being used increasingly in addition to conventional medicine, where it is proving a valuable alternative to drugs for anaesthesia, relieving stress accelerating healing and controlling pain.
“Whatever we plant in our subconscious mind and nourish with repetition and emotion will one day become a reality. -“Earl Nightingale
Dr. Alfred A. Barrios reported in the psychotherapy journal of American Psychiatric Association (Volume. 7-1), the following success rates:
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Psychotherapy 38% recovery after 600 sessions (about 11.5 months)
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Behaviour Therapy 72% recovery after 22 sessions (about 6 months)
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Hypnotherapy 93% recovery after 6 sessions (about 1.5 months)
“The mind is a dutiful servant and will follow the instructions we give it”. Zig Ziglar
Research suggests that hypnotherapy is particularly effective in the corrective treatment of negative habit patterns. For most of us, the need and desire to change ourselves relates not so much to conscious behaviours in life, but instead to more ingrained subconscious habit patterns. It’s with these negative habits or patterns, which people endeavour to get assistance through hypnotherapy.
Hypnotherapy is not a way to avoid or short circuit personal responsibility and application of individual’s personal will power. Hypnotherapists work in partnership with you to assist you in making the changes in your own life, with your consent and intention to create permanent change. If you’re ready for change, hypnotherapy can be the pivotal point and key to your success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most people have a limited understanding of the positive results that can be achieved in a professionally facilitated hypnotherapy session. These Questions and Answers will help dispel some of the myths, answering the most frequently asked questions about hypnotherapy.
What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a state of relaxation and concentration, a state of heightened awareness induced by suggestion. It is a non-addictive process and it’s a natural manifestation of the mind at work. Hypnosis is a very pleasant feeling of complete physical and mental relaxation. It is similar to that moment between knowing you are awake and going into the sleep state.
What is the difference between Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy?
Hypnosis is a state of consciousness where your mind is open and receptive to suggestions. Hypnotherapy is a form of therapy where a hypnotherapist works in partnership with the client, using hypnosis as a primary tool for assisting clients to achieve their goals. A hypnotherapist often differs from other therapists by focusing on the role of subconscious behaviours and influences on the client’s life. The hypnotherapist finds out what false beliefs are (i.e. what is holding the client back) and reprograms these thought patterns, so the client can move forward achieving the desired outcome).
Will I be asleep when hypnotised?
The word hypnosis comes from the ancient Greek word ‘hypnos’ meaning sleep, which is an inaccurate term, as hypnosis is generally a very relaxed state but it is not actually sleep. Many people after a session of hypnosis don’t believe that they were hypnotised at all, but that comes from misconceptions of what a ‘trance’ actually is.
Why don’t more people use hypnotherapy?
For the same reasons, why people don’t take vitamins or exercise daily? Quite often people know what’s good for them, yet they don’t do it. They’re busy and barely keep up with the things we have to do, let alone anything that is optional.
Is Hypnotherapy Safe?
Hypnotherapy is completely safe. You are 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. You cannot be made to do something against your will. Hypnotherapy is a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable experience.
Will I give out any personal or secret information under hypnosis?
No. You cannot be forced to say or do anything under hypnosis that you don’t want to. Remember that you are completely in control at all times.
Are any drugs of tablets used?
No, not at all.
Will I be aware of what is happening?
Yes, most people are generally surprised that they actually remember everything that has happened during the hypnotherapy session.
Can anyone be hypnotised?
Some people find it easier to relax than others. By the same token, some people are able to go into hypnosis more quickly and more deeply than others. Most people can go into at least a light trance and with most hypnotherapeutic goals, a light trance is enough so everyone can benefit from hypnotherapy to some extent.
How does hypnotherapy feel?
Here are two examples of how it feels. The first, is if you have been watching television, and suddenly, you realise that you haven’t seen any of what’s been going on for the last five minutes, because you’ve been thinking about something else, and just weren’t concentrating on what you were watching.
Second e.g. think of a time where you’ve been so absorbed in what you’ve been doing, that more time has passed than you thought… for example, you may think you’ve been reading for 30 minutes, only to look at the clock and see that you’ve actually been reading for an hour. Hypnotherapy is a similar feeling to the above examples.
Hypnosis feels a bit like that. Client’s often express that they feel like they’ve been under hypnosis for only 20 minutes, when actually it’s been very nearly an hour!
Can it help with medical problems?
If you think your problems may be medical, it is essential that you consult your GP first before consultation with a hypnotherapist.
Will I lose control & be influenced to anything against my will?
No. This is a common misconception about hypnosis. Nobody can be hypnotised against their will. Hypnotherapy is not about control by the hypnotherapist, it’s about working together to empower the client and create the changes they wish to see in their life. Nobody can be forced to do anything against their will. The ‘control’ misconception appears to originate from stage hypnosis which also involves people, giving consent to participate and have fun carrying out instructions from the stage Hypnotist.
How deep in Hypnosis will I go?
Clients go as deep or as light into hypnosis as they need to go, to get the results they need. The more meditational or hypnosis experience one has, the easier one drops down into the altered receptive state to create change.
What if I Don’t Wake Up?
No one has ever got stuck in a terminal state of hypnosis. It simply cannot happen. If the hypnotist left the room, or if you were listening to a tape and the power went out, you would either fall asleep and wake up naturally, or your subconscious mind would detect that there is no voice guiding you and bring you to conscious awareness.
Is Hypnosis Dangerous?
Hypnosis is a normal state of mind, one which most people go in and out of every day. When you are watching a movie that you are engrossed in, driving down a long monotonous road, listening to music that captures a mood or engrosses you, you are in hypnosis. We experience hypnosis every day and don’t even know it. It is perhaps one of the safest forms of therapy. There is no documented evidence of anyone ever being harmed by hypnosis. Hypnotherapy is a proven therapeutic aid.