What is hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy attempts to address an individual's subconscious mind, using the power of suggestion for beneficial change. A hypnotherapist uses hypnosis to give relevant, positive beneficial suggestions to help an individual bring about the change they desire, hypnotherapists often require the individual to be in a deeply relaxed state to enable them to use their imagination fully. It is imperative that the individual feels completely comfortable with their hypnotherapist. Hypnosis is a different state of consciousness from being awake or asleep, and many people compare the deep, relaxed state of hypnosis to daydreaming.
Hypnotherapists will often combine hypnosis with other psychotherapy and counselling techniques to benefit individuals. The techniques used will depend on the issue the individual is seeking help for. There are different types of hypnotherapy:
Suggestion Hypnotherapy
Suggestion hypnotherapy involves the hypnotherapist giving an individuals unconscious mind a series of ‘suggestions’. These suggestions can help an individual to find it easier to do something they want to do (e.g. public speaking) or easier to stop doing something they don’t want to do (e.g. smoking).
Analytical Hypnotherapy
Analytical Hypnotherapy can be effective in dealing with deeper issues and involves psychotherapy using hypnosis. Analytical hypnotherapy seeks to find the root cause of a problem, and deal with the issue. For example, a phobia may be 'masked' using suggestion therapy, however the root cause will still exist. Analytical hypnotherapy seeks to identify the root cause and deal with it; the root cause then becomes powerless.
Cognitive Hypnotherapy
Cognitive Hypnotherapists attempt to get into the mindset of the client to work through any presenting issues, using techniques and language based on the client's unique model of the world. Cognitive Hypnotherapy also uses an analytical approach to clearing away unwanted thoughts and behaviours from the past, but then uses techniques that retrain the brain in the present to ensure that the changes that clients would like to make are fully realised.
What is Neuro-Linguistic Programming?
Neuro-Linguistic Programming explores the relationship between language, behaviour and excellence. It is essentially a model used to identify and analyse the linguistic techniques used subconsciously by successful people, in order to produce a recipe for excellence.
Does everyone respond to hypnotherapy?
According to the British Society of Clinical Hypnosis, it is estimated that 85% of people will respond at some level to clinical hypnotherapy. Some individuals are more likely to respond to hypnotherapy than others and having confidence in the technique helps. Believing change from hypnotherapy is possible is important and if an individual is personally motivated to change, hypnosis is often more likely than if the individual relies completely on their hypnotherapist and doubts whether they have the ability to access their subconscious and make changes happen.
My mother is a hypnotherapist so I thought I would interview her and ask her some questions.
What is your background in hypnotherapy?
What made you decide to become a hypnotherapist?
What was the education process to become a hypnotherapist?
What is your approach to the therapist/client relationship?
What is your philosophy about hypnotherapy and using it as a tool for treating trauma?
What kind of hypnotherapy works on people and doesn't work on people ?
What are the the risks with hypnotherapy ?
What kind of voice do you portray during hypnotherapy ?
Has hypnotherapy ever gotten to the point of danger ?
Has hypnotherapy cured anyone fears for you ?
Have you ever tried self-hypnosis ?
How do you think hypnotherapy works ?
How do you start and finish the hypnosis ?
Have you ever been hypnotised ?
Why do you think hypnosis works ?
Can hypnotherapy cure problems ?
Has hypnotherapy made problems for a person ?
