A New Beginning
Hypnotherapy, Reiki & NLP Solutions
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Angela Rich - Master Practitioner IW. BIH. UKCHO. ANLP
About Hypnosis & Hypnotherapy
What is Hypnosis?
Healing by trance state (or an altered state of awareness) is among the oldest phenomena known to man and is found, in one form or another, in virtually every culture throughout the world.
Although such altered states have been known for thousands of years, the term 'hypnosis' (from the Greek 'hypnos', meaning 'sleep') was only coined circa 1840 by Dr James Braid, a Scottish physician and remains a somewhat less than accurate description of the experience, as the hypnotic state (trance) is not the same as sleep.
Hypnosis is a natural state of mind, enhanced by mental and physical relaxation, in which our subconscious is able to communicate with our conscious mind.
It may be better to define 'hypnosis' by what it does rather than what it is. It is widely accepted as an excellent method by which we may access our inner potential.
The state of mind referred to may be brought about either by oneself, (self-hypnosis) or with the help of another person. If this other person is a trained professional, who utilises the resultant state of mind to encourage beneficial change to occur, the process is referred to as 'Hypnotherapy'.
What is Hypnotherapy?
'Psychological therapy and counselling' is the treatment of emotional and psychological disorders, unwanted habits and undesirable feelings, using psychological techniques alone. The aim of all such 'therapy' is to assist clients in finding meaningful alternatives to their present unsatisfactory ways of thinking, feeling or behaving.
'Therapy' also tends to help people become more accepting both of themselves and others and can be most useful in promoting personal development and unlocking inner potential.
There are many forms of 'psychological therapy' but Hypnotherapy is distinctive in that it attempts to address the 'subconscious mind'.
In practice, the Hypnotherapist often requires the client to be in a relaxed state, frequently enlisting the power of the client’s own imagination and may utilise a wide range of techniques from story telling, metaphor or symbolism, to the use of direct suggestions for beneficial change.
Regardless of the techniques employed, perhaps the most important thing is that a client should expect to feel comfortable and at ease with their 'therapist'. This is of particular importance in Hypnotherapy, in which the value of the treatment is greatly enhanced when there is confidence in the practitioner.
Unlike many other 'psychological therapies', Hypnotherapy is generally considered to be a fairly short-term approach.
In practice, most Hypnotherapists will combine hypnotic procedures with other appropriate counselling and therapeutic techniques.
Who can be hypnotised?
The answer to this question is undoubtedly 'anyone who wants to be'. This claim must, however, be qualified by the observation that some are more readily hypnotisable than others and that it will also depend upon one's 'willingness to be hypnotised' at the time.
This 'willingness' will itself depend upon a number of factors, not least of which will be the strength of the person's particular need and their trust and confidence in the therapist concerned.
'What level of trance is required in order to achieve a beneficial outcome' it is only necessary to achieve a light state of trance in order to reap benefit.
Hypnotherapy can be extremely' effective, but it is not 'magic'. However, if the right ingredients are present, if the time is right and if a suitable practitioner can be found with whom the client is 'willing' to work, then all their ('realistic') goals are achievable.
Who can benefit from Hypnotherapy?
Given that hypnotherapy can be utilised to access a person's inner potential and that probably no one is performing to their actual potential, then the answer is 'anyone who wants to'.
However, it is not just potential which Hypnotherapy is well placed to address but also one's inner resources to effect beneficial change. In this regard, it is the innate healing capacity of our own body that may be stimulated by Hypnotherapy.
Consequently, the list of problems which may be addressed by Hypnotherapy is far too long and varied to catalogue but certainly includes: stress, anxiety, panic, phobias, unwanted habits and addictions (e.g. smoking, overeating, alcoholism), disrupted sleep patterns, lack of confidence and low self-esteem, fear of examinations and public speaking, allergies and skin disorders, migraine, pain relief, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gastric reflux.
Additionally, it has proved of value in the areas of both sporting and artistic performance enhancement. As an adjunct to other counselling techniques, it can also assist in helping to resolve relationship difficulties.
Some Common Concerns
People are sometimes concerned that they will 'lose control' under hypnosis. However, general consensus indicates that regardless of how deeply people may go in hypnosis and however passive they may appear to be, they actually remain in full control of the situation. They are fully able to talk if they wish to (or not, as the case may be) and can stand up and leave the room at any time.
Neither can a 'hypnotised' person be made to do anything against their usual ethical or moral judgement or religious belief. It is likely that the notion of a loss of control stems from most people's misconception of 'stage hypnosis', wherein participants are apparently made to perform all manner of (usually foolish) acts.
However, the reader should be aware that participation in a stage act is an entirely voluntary process (thus 'permission' is already given to the hypnotist) and that there can be no such volunteer who is unaware of exactly what they are letting themselves in for!