Hypnosis

Learn more... The unconscious mind Therories of hypnosis History of hypnosis Brain structure New Scientist feature

Hypnosis is simply a relaxed state of mind and body. You are in naturally occurring hypnotic states repeatedly during the average day. Examples of these natural states of relaxation include when you are waking up in the morning, when you are drifting to sleep at night, when you are day dreaming and sometimes when in auto pilot mode when driving.

Clinical Hypnotherapy

Clinical hypnotherapy is simply the utilisation of the natural state of being very relaxed (hypnotised) to facilitate psychological change more easily than might the case otherwise. When we are in a relaxed state of mind and body are able to think more clearly and with a greater level of focus. We are also more open minded and willing to take on board positive suggestions consciously and unconsciously.

Our conscious mind is whatever we are currently thinking about, our unconscious mind is the sum total of all of our inner resources, memories, skills and latent capabilities. Hypnotherapy can help to reactivate inner resources and capabilities that may have become dormant for whatever reason. Hypnotherapy can also help us to learn new skills and positive ways of thinking and behaving.

Hypnotherapy cannot be used to make anyone do anything that they don't want to do - you remain in contol at all times. Free will remains intact and any suggestion that runs against your core beliefs and values will simply be ignored and will have no effect at all. When in a trance state most people hear everything that is said and remember most of what is said.

Hypnosis is not the same as being asleep and does not necessarily mean being very deeply relaxed - light levels of relaxation can be just as effective as deep relaxation states for many issues.

In the context of psychotherapy, hypnosis and clinical hypnotherapy are used as a medium in which to apply many other forms of therapy including cognitive behaviour therapy, behaviour therapy, EMDR and NLP therapy. This combination tends to accelerate the treatment process.

Some of the many issues that can be treated using clinical hypnotherapy are listed below:

Accelerated learning Addictions eg drugs and alcohol Alcohol Cessation / Control Allergies and food intolerances Anorexia nervosa Anxiety / stress Assertiveness training Asthma management Bed wetting (nocturnal enuresis) Bereavement / Loss / Grief Blushing phobia Bulimia nervosa Confidence boosting Creativity enhancement Decision making and clear thinking Depression and feeling low or demotivated Emotional turmoil (especially stress related) Habitual behaviours Headaches (especially tension based) Healthy eating and lifestyle choices IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome) Interview and test nerves Lack of concentration due to stress or distraction Learning difficulties cuased by anxiety and stress Low or poor self-esteem Migraine headaches Motivation and determination Nail biting

Negative thinking Nightmares and sleep problems Obsessive compulsion disorder (OCD) Pain control and management Panic / panic attacks / anxiety attacks / panic disorder Performance / test / exam anxiety Phobias / fears / avoidance Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) / Trauma Psychogenic allergies and intolerances Psychogenic dystonia (Tics) Psychogenic infertility Psychosexual problems (eg impotence) Relationship issues Self esteem boosting Skin problems (eg Eczema) Sleep Disturbance (Insomnia / Nightmares) Smoking cessation / Stopping smoking Snoring and snoring desensitisation for partners Speech impediments such as stuttering Sports performance enhancement Stress / Relaxation Stuttering / stammering Tinnitus (sounds in the inner ear) Tooth grinding (Bruxism) Trauma generally Unblocking creativity Weight control and management

Click here to access a more complete listing of pschological issues and conditions - many of which can be treated with hypnotherapy (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) Overviews)...

Resources for use by patients when back at home

The work that is done in the therapy room is only a part of the overall process that seeks to generate change. By far the most important aspect of therapy is what clients choose to do when back at home in order to continue the process of change. This is why I provide patients with extensive resources for use when back at home. These resources include:

• Hypnotherapy audio CDs More...
• Relaxation CDs that feature advanced audio patterns than can generate deep levels of relaxation eg to improve sleep
• Software downloads
• Extensive supporting notes and detailed instructions
• ...