What is Hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is an effective treatment for changing the way you think, feel or behave, by using techniques to rest your conscious mind and communicate with your unconscious mind. This is facilitated through encouraging a state of deep relaxation within your body and your mind. Hypnotherapy is a powerful combination of hypnosis and therapy, the purpose of which is to enable you to connect with your inner resources to find meaningful and helpful alternatives to your present unsatisfactory way of behaving, thinking or feeling.
Words are key to successful hypnotherapy. An effective hypnotherapist will be skilled in understanding language use.
Hypnotherapy is complementary to medical practice.
Hypnotherapy interventions are used to bring about the changes that you want to achieve. Hypnotherapy bears no resemblance to members of an audience being made to do silly things by a ‘magician-hypnotist’. At no time, will you be made to do things against your will. Hypnotherapy is not at all like stage hypnotism that is shown as entertainment on T.V. You are always in control.
Your hypnotherapy session will involve a period of time where you, the client, explore your feelings regarding your issue/s. You might be experiencing problems with sleep, you might be feeling extreme anxiety, you might have an unhelpful habit that you know you need to change or your life might be restricted through fear. I will employ different techniques to help you re-assess your own thoughts and beliefs. The session will include a period of time where you are facilitated into a state of ‘focused attention’ which is sometimes referred to as ‘trance’. In this state you will be receptive to new and helpful ideas.
I am an experienced Clinical Hypnotherapist and EMDR psychotherapist, skilled in a wide range of techniques and interventions. I am perceptive, knowledgeable, creative and flexible. Hypnotherapy is a partnership between client and therapist with specific interventions designed to bring about the changes you seek.
People experience the benefits of hypnotherapy over different periods of time. Some people can notice instant changes, whereas others may find themselves surprised by feeling differently, gradually, over a period of several weeks. I find, the most commonly used phrase after a course of Hypnotherapy is “Everyone needs Hypnotherapy!”
What will a hypnotherapy session feel like?
This is a little harder to answer as different people experience different things, according to the issues that they want to address.
The talking part of hypnotherapy might be a huge release for some people. They might be sharing something for the very first time. For some people, talking might be very difficult and it might be a painful process. On occasions, the hypnotherapist might question something that has been said and the client may feel gently challenged.
The relaxation part of hypnotherapy is where the client is facilitated into ‘a more focused state of awareness’. This is a pleasant experience and afterwards, most people feel refreshed and re-energised. During this relaxation some people feel heavy, some people feel light, some people experience a tingling sensation, some people do not experience anything at all. Some people have heard every word and some people have felt as though they were drifting in and out of sleep.
A shift in thinking can occur during the session. However, changes occur at different times for different people and many clients process new information in between actual hypnotherapy sessions.
Hypnotherapy is a highly positive experience. You may be greatly surprised by what you discover about yourself and how much better you can feel.
How can you measure success in hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is remarkably effective as it can create a significant and permanent shift in an individual’s thinking and understanding. However, hypnotherapy will be less effective with an individual who is less motivated to change unhelpful behaviours.
As a Clinical Hypnotherapist, I have worked with large numbers of very diverse people who have had tremendous success in changing how they react, respond to or think about a certain issue.
Measuring success is complicated in medicine as well as in other therapies. Medicine might heal a physical complaint, but medicine cannot guarantee that it will never recur. One medicine that might work for one person might make another person feel even worse.
Hypnotherapy is an ‘active’ partnership. It is not something that is ‘done’ to someone.
Unscrupulous therapists who do not adhere to any code of ethics could make outstanding claims about their guarantee of success. These outstanding claims may be valid as outstanding results are achieved. However, it is the potential client’s inability to check these claims that prevents ethical hypnotherapists including them in our marketing.
There is a growing evidence base for hypnotherapy.
If you are ready to make a commitment to change and if you choose a good hypnotherapist, you will achieve the results you require.
How do I find the right hypnotherapist?
All practising hypnotherapists need to belong to at least one professional body. By becoming a member of that body, they agree to:
Operate according to the code of ethics of that regulatory body.
Keep their practice effective with on-going training and research.
Attend a regular Supervision Group. A Supervision Group should meet monthly. Members meet to discuss good practice, encourage self reflection, share experiences. CPD (Continuing Professional Development) opportunities and offer support to colleagues.
Do not feel shy about asking a hypnotherapist which professional bodies they belong to. You can also ask whether their membership is up to date. All professional bodies have websites where you can check whether the Hypnotherapist you choose is actually a member. You can also read the code of ethics for that professional body.
It is essential that you feel comfortable with your hypnotherapist as it will be a relationship built on trust where you will be sharing personal and sensitive information.
Professional hypnotherapy practice is:
100% confidential (unless the therapist considers you at risk of harming yourself or others.) Client-centred. Warm and welcoming.
I am a registered member of:
The British Society of Clinical Hypnosis http://www.BSCH.org.uk
and an accredited member of:
The British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy
My Hypnotherapy qualifications are:
- BSc Clinical Hypnosis: Degree Award: First Class Honours
- Diploma of Higher Education in Clinical Hypnosis. Award: Distinction.
- HPD (Hypnotherapy Practitioner Diploma)
I have carried out clinical research in the areas of Hope, Optimism and Well-being and have seen these three areas significantly increase in people through hypnotherapeutic intervention.
My further additional training :
- The Rewind Technique. This is a treatment that targets a specific traumatic experience. Following the Rewind, you will find that your trauma is no longer triggered by external stimuli. You are still able to ‘access’ the memory but it will no longer affect you in the same way.
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) for trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder www.emdrassociation.org.uk
EMDR is a highly effective treatment for trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I use EMDR very effectively in conjunction with hypnosis to alleviate the effects of significant, negative emotional events.
- M.A. Relationship Therapy. Award: Distinction.
- B.A. Fine Art
How much will Hypnotherapy cost?
All my sessions, including the Initial Assessment cost £67.
We would need to meet first for an initial assessment. This will last one hour.
After the initial assessment we would normally meet once a week for a one hour session.
Each session will cost £67
My Stopping Smoking Programme consists of 2 sessions. Total cost is £134.
There are no hidden costs. Payment can be made online, or by cash, cheque or card.
How long will it take?
Hypnotherapy sessions normally last 1 hour.
Before your intervention sessions begin, you will have an Initial Assessment lasting one hour. I will be gathering information relating to your issues as well as looking at wider areas of your life.
In order to achieve your goal you need to feel a commitment to change unhelpful patterns of thought or behaviour.
You may be asked to do some form of homework in the intervening week before your next session.
My Stopping Smoking Programme consists of 2, one hour sessions. The second session takes place approximately one week after the first.
People frequently want to know how many sessions they will need. This is a little harder to answer as everyone is different. I can assure you that I will be working with you as efficiently and effectively as I can!