What is hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a naturally occurring state that we all experience at various times and in various depths throughout the day. The experience of hypnosis has been described in many ways but is often explained as a streamlined state of focused attention. Many people describe hypnosis as feeling similar to daydreaming, when they are neither fully alert, nor asleep. Everyone’s experiences and therefore descriptions of hypnosis will vary because all trance states feel different to different people. Hypnosis is usually associated with a pleasant feeling of deep relaxation and this is part of the therapy.
The Hypnotherapist will use a combination of hypnosis and talking therapy to bring about changes in the client’s thoughts, feelings and behaviours at a deeper than conscious level; the subconscious level, where we automatically respond. The beliefs we all hold about ourselves (positive or negative) are stored within our subconscious mind, as are many of our behaviours, patterns and habits. These behaviours can be protective and useful, but where they are unhelpful, a client might want to work with a hypnotherapist because they want to change their deep-rooted, automatic responses and cannot access these alone.
During hypnosis insight can be gained through a new perspective and adjustments can be made to limiting beliefs that have influenced or directed the client’s life, sometimes resulting in radical change or gentle differences that increase positively over time.
Therapeutic techniques applied during hypnosis are usually quicker than the traditional forms of psychotherapy or counselling due to accessing the subconscious, consequently hypnotherapy is becoming increasingly popular.
Is hypnosis right for me and how does it feel?
Hypnosis is a natural state of mind similar to daydreaming. People are often surprised that they can hear what is being said and can move or speak if they want to. Everybody’s experience of it is different and how an individual feels may vary each time they go into hypnosis. Some people describe hearing every word the therapist says, while others find their mind wanders; many people lose track of time when they are in hypnosis. How aware or unaware you are during the process is unimportant and does not affect the efficacy of the session. Relaxation isn’t essential to hypnosis, but most people describe being very relaxed during and after the session and more enjoyable than they expected. Hypnosis is for everyone!
How is Solution Focused Hypnotherapy different from other types of hypnotherapies?
Unlike other forms of Hypnotherapy, Solution Focused Hypnotherapy uses a specific structure, which incorporates several aspects of Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and combines these with an understanding of how the brain works, in combination with using trance. Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is also different, as it doesn’t require the therapist to ‘dig into’ a person’s past, as this is not deemed necessary to help the person formulate plans and best hopes for how they want to move forward in their lives in the future.
What results can I expect?
I have seen fantastic results with my clients helping them to feel calmer, more in control and to live happier lives. As with most things in life, the more effort you put in and the more committed you are to change the better the results. The hypnotherapy sessions will help to guide you in the right direction, maximise your success once you’ve made that decision to move forward, creating sustainable and lasting positive change.
How quickly can I expect results?
Solution focused hypnotherapy can be highly effective in a relatively short space and time. The exact number of sessions will vary from person to person and may also depend on the issue. Most of my clients find that between 7-10 sessions is enough to overcome the initial issue, however phobias can usually be treated within 4 session and smoking cessation is only one 2 hours session.Some of my clients choose to work with me on a longer-term basis as part of a regular self-care routine. There is a huge evidence base on the effectiveness of solution focused hypnotherapy in treating a wide range of psychological, emotional and physiological conditions. Modern neuroscience brain scanners clearly demonstrate the positive impact that hypnosis (or trance) has on the brain and when paired with the solution focused approach this leads to some incredible results.
How will we work together?
Firstly, we start by talking about what you’d like help with and what you’d like to achieve through solution focused hypnotherapy. I then explain about how the brain works, why we can suffer or struggle in the way that we do and exactly how hypnotherapy helps us to overcome our problems and build our resilience.
During each hypnotherapy session we’ll train your brain to focus on the positive aspects of your life and I’ll also guide you through a process to come up with solutions to make consistent incremental improvements to your day to day life. Session always focus on the here and now and creating the positive change and positive future that is right for you.