Hypnotherapy is skilled communication aimed at directing a person’s imagination. Eliciting changes in perception, sensation, feeling, thoughts and behaviours. Therapeutic techniques are delivered during a state of relaxed and focused attention (hypnosis) where your mind is more open to suggestion.

Unfortunately there are many myths about hypnosis now and not helped by movies and stage hypnosis which portray some sort of “magic.” The following myth-buster aims to provide clarity for some common misunderstandings:

Myth 1: Hypnosis is ‘magic’ or pseudoscience.

Hypnosis is a state of suggestibility, relaxation and heightened imagination similar to daydreaming, or becoming so absorbed in a book or a movie that we become ‘caught up’ in the story. Even though we know at a conscious level that the story is something not real. I use hypnosis to focus your attention in different ways so you’re able to create and change thinking patterns. In fact, studies show that hypnotherapy is an effective tool to help with sleep, anxiety, stress, self-esteem, procrastination and more, for example.

Myth 2: You can be hypnotised against your will.

Contrary to popular belief, hypnosis is not a form of mind control. You can’t be hypnotised into doing things against your will. It’s not possible to be forced into a hypnotic state because you allow yourself to be hypnotised instead. Therefore, it is a voluntary altering of your own consciousness, and you are always in control. Also, if you do become uncomfortable feel free to open your eyes at any time.

Myth 3: I could get ‘stuck’ in hypnosis

Hypnosis is very safe, promoting a natural state of focus and suggestibility. Any time there is an emergency, a person would naturally be able to come out hypnosis by opening their eyes, and stretching or speaking. For instance, it’s like worrying that you’ll get ‘stuck’ in a daydream, it’s just not possible.

Myth 4: A person under hypnosis is asleep or unconscious.

You can close your eyes during hypnosis and feel as though you’re drifting back and forth between sleep and wakefulness. Although, you will never lose your full sense of awareness. Roughly 90% of people report being aware of everything that happens, and relaxation helps but is not essential to hypnosis. Consequently hypnotherapy is safe, allowing you to be you.

Myth 5: Only some people can be hypnotised

Whilst it is true that some people are more suggestible to hypnosis, more-so it comes down to a person’s motivation and willingness to relax. Everyone is suggestible to a certain degree which means everybody can be hypnotised. If you want change, you’ll be open to its effects. It is reassuring to know that hypnosis is a learnable skill and practicing regularly enhances hypnotise-ability and responsiveness. As a result, the more relaxed you are, the more your ability grows to find the real you.

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Approach your hypnotherapy session with a positive attitude

It is essential to understand that hypnosis is a collaborative process. It requires a great deal of commitment from you. Having a good understanding of the active role you play in your hypnotherapy session greatly helps increase success. As such I’ve outlined below some key areas to think about to help you prepare for your hypnotherapy sessions.

• Trust

  Trust yourself to respond well to hypnosis and trust the therapist and techniques. As described above, hypnosis can be defined in terms of focused attention upon a particular idea, or suggestion. Self-trust is important and encourages a belief that one can be effective and succeed at making changes. Hypnosis is a learnable skill and the more you practice the better your experience will be.

• Have a positive attitude.

   It is important to have a positive attitude toward hypnotherapy and a collaborative and proactive attitude toward treatment. Firstly, adopting an attitude of curiosity about your potential to benefit from hypnosis is beneficial and important. Secondly, it is important to be willing to engage in a hypnotic mindset. i.e. one that engages the imagination and becomes absorbed on the things being suggested. Adopt the role, use your imagination and ‘act as if’ the ideas being suggested are your reality. The more you engage in the process, the more you will feel the benefits.

• Self-motivation is key to engage in hypnotherapy. You are not, for example, merely undertaking therapy to please or satisfy someone else. Motivation to make certain changes may be the single most important variable in psychological therapy and is strongly correlated with success. This is why we look at your motivation levels and commitment to achieving goals during the assessment session. Collaboration with self-help schedules is a strong indication of how well motivated you are. Engaging in the exercises and tasks set between sessions is crucial to the success of the therapy.

• Expectation

  Finally, adopt a positive and realistic expectation about hypnosis. For example, you understand and appreciate that hypnosis is a learnable skill that requires practice. Therefore it is not a quick fix. Expect to respond well and actively engage in the process, then you are more likely to do well and have a positive outcome.

As you can see, hypnosis is a collaborative process where together, you and I work towards your therapeutic goals. I am absolutely committed to helping you achieve your goals. My role is to guide you through a series of suggestions and to support you fully. Your role is to use your imagination to engage fully in the process and to focus on the ideas being presented. Use your thoughts and imaginative skills to absorb yourself in the experience, as much as possible.

If you have any further questions about Hypnotherapy Services, please feel free to contact me.