Hypnotherapy

Hypnosis – A Definition & Some Common Myths and Misconceptions

Hypnosis is derived from the Greek word Hypnos – meaning to sleep.

Whilst not asleep, this state is a common experience for us all when we go into a very relaxed state of mind.

“A state of relaxation and concentration at one with heightened awareness induced by suggestion”

Most people’s first exposure to hypnosis is via the showmanship of the stage hypnotist, who can seemingly make people bark like a dog on the command of the hypnotist, amongst many other dramatic reactions.     This initial exposure to hypnotism gives the impression that people in hypnosis are controlled or manipulated.  Nothing could be further from the truth.

The truth is that hypnosis is completely safe and people are pleasantly surprised that they feel so relaxed, calm, peaceful and yet always in control.

It is also a commonly held belief that some people cannot be hypnotised.  Everybody can be hypnotised and enjoy it’s relaxation benefits.

Hypnosis – A Brief History

Hypnosis has been called many different names and has been around in many different forms for thousands of years.  Hypnosis is thought to date back to the healing practices of ancient Greece and Egypt.

Austrian physician, Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815), is credited with being the first person to scientifically investigate the idea of hypnotherapy to treat a variety of health conditions and is believed to be the first Doctor to understand the relationship of psychological trauma to illness.  He induced a trance like state in his patients to successfully treat nervous disorders, this method became know as mesmerism. 

These techniques became the foundation for modern-day hypnotherapy.  Mesmer’s technique appeared to be quite successful in the treatment of his patients, but he was the subject of scorn and ridicule from the medical profession.

For this reason it took the involvement of many prominent people and physicians, James Braid, Jean Martin Charcot, Hippolyte Bernheim, Milton Erickson and others more than 200 years for hypnotherapy to become incorporated into medical treatment.  In 1955, the British Medical Association approved the use of hypnotherapy as a valid medical treatment.

How I work

I use my voice tonality and some specially recorded hypnotic induction music to progressively relax you in both body and mind.

This is known as a progressive relaxation induction method.  It is a very gentle, soothing and enjoyable way to achieve a wonderful state of relaxation.

During hypnosis you will be given positively phrased suggestions to affect your behaviour and your well-being after you are out of hypnosis, this is what we call post hypnotic suggestion.

Although there is no such thing as a hypnotised feeling, during this experience some people feel a tingling sensation to their skin, some people feel a lightness to the limbs or sometimes a heaviness, but always you will feel a pleasant, relaxed feeling.

This technique alone is a fantastic, satisfying way to reduce stress and anxiety and make you ready for the day ahead.

Hypnotherapy

This is also known as Clinical Hypnosis and Suggestion Therapy.

Once the progressive relaxation induction has been achieved, I will give you some positively phrased suggestions to be stored in the sub-conscious of your mind for behaviour modification and for your well-being.

One or two sessions is usually enough to get you through a short term impending worry that is right around the corner, such as a holiday when you have a fear of flying, a presentation at work, or driving test nerves or exam nerves, but also for stopping smoking and weight loss.

A typical session will involve a brief outline and discussion of what you can expect during the session.  This will put you at ease and allay any fears or misconceptions you may have.  I will also use this time to explain some things about the sub-conscious, negative and positive suggestions that will help you to understand how you can achieve the changes that you want.

Analytical Hypnotherapy – Pure Hypnoanalysis

What is it?
Hypnoanalysis is probably one of the most effective therapies for treating emotional and anxiety related problems.  Many therapies merely concentrate on treating the symptom, but every symptom has a cause and hypnoanalysis is used to discover, reveal and release the root cause of the emotional or psychological problem and subsequently relieve the symptom.

What are bottled up emotions?
So when people have symptoms that have lasted a long time, it is because there are some bottled-up emotions deep down that are driving their symptoms, and these emotions (because they are hidden away) are causing lots and lots of internal pressure/stress in their mind.

When we release emotions about something we feel better, relieved, liberated, free again, the pressure goes away, any neurotic or stress-related symptoms that the experience was causing stop.  It isn't the time itself that heals, but releasing all of the emotions, getting it 'out of our system'.  This natural process happens when we need to resolve ANY emotional issue - divorce, crash, death, relationships, and trauma - anything!  Our psyche WANTS those emotions to come out, so we automatically keep being reminded of the experience until eventually over time it has relatively little impact on us and we get on with life.

Have you ever wondered how you can 'get over' or resolve some experiences in your life but not others?  Why is it that somebody can grieve about and 'get over' the death of a loved one in a couple of years and get on with their life, and yet they have had a phobia of dogs for 40 years that stays unresolved?  Or panic attacks that last for 12 years?  Or they smoke for 30 years?  Or they battle with weight for many years?

What do the sessions do?
During Pure Hypnoanalysis sessions, once the light induction is achieved I will ask you to describe recollections that spring into your mind, this is the pure free association technique that helps the client to recall experiences that relate to the bottled-up emotion and help those emotions quickly float to the surface.  These experiences and recollections keep on coming into mind and they keep on linking back to the trauma or bottled-up emotion until all the emotion is released.

This is not only one of the most effective therapies, but it is also very gentle and fast, taking on average, between 8 to 12 weekly sessions compared to 3 or 4 years for traditional psychotherapy.

A course of hypnoanalysis sessions can be life changing and will give you a real insight into yourself.

The hypnosis part helps you to relax, feel safe, secure, comfortable and supported, so people find it easier to talk about emotional issues, which dramatically speeds up the therapeutic process.

It is totally non-directive and you will feel like a weight has been lifted from your shoulders making you emotionally stronger and more stable.

CHANGE YOUR LIFE NOW!

Contact Ian at Change Matters

Call now to book your free initial consultation where we can discuss the types program available and you can ask any questions you may have in a relaxed, friendly and confidential environment. Call can me on 07780 118542 Or E-mail me on ian@changematters.co.uk