Frequently Asked Questions
What is hypnosis and hypno-psychotherapy
Hypnotherapy is a completely safe and harmless form of psychological therapy. It is a state of relaxed awareness, not sleep or unconsciousness. You are still in control of your own body and mind during hypnosis. It is officially recognised and approved by the British Medical Association.
Anyone can be hypnotised - if you can relax and follow simple instructions you can enjoy hypnosis. During the relaxed state the subconscious mind becomes more open to beneficial suggestions which client and therapist have agreed upon.
In hypnotherapy, issues of the past that are affecting current reality, can be addressed. When a registered psychotherapist employs hypnosis alongside other forms of psychotherapy this is technically known as ‘hypno-psychotherapy’. Hypnotherapists tend to use an integrative approach, which may combine programmes of direct verbal suggestion or visualisation with ‘analytic’ psychotherapy techniques such as age regression.
What does it feel like?
Hypnosis is a pleasant state of deep inner calm and physical relaxation, tension disappears and security and contentment are experienced. Deep hypnosis is similar in many ways to the kind of profound trance found in expert yoga or meditation practitioners.
Where does it come from?
Modern psychological hypnosis was first developed in 1843 by the Scottish physician James Braid. However, it has its origins in an earlier form of trance healing called 'Mesmerism', after the famous Eighteenth century Austrian Franz Anton Mesmer.
Does it work?
Yes. Hypnosis has fascinated psychologists and medical professionals for over a century and has been subject to a great deal of rigorous testing and research. It promotes the awareness of the importance of our thoughts on our reality. Habitual negative thoughts can be replaced by realistic and positive thoughts so that we can enjoy a calm, relaxed and confident lifestyle.
Is it officially recognised?
‘Hypnotism’ is legally acknowledged and defined by the Hypnotism Act 1952, in the UK Book of Statutes. In their 1892 Hypnotism Report, the British Medical Association (BMA) officially recognises the hypnotic trance: ‘The Committee, having completed such investigation of hypnotism as time permitted, have to report that they have satisfied themselves of the genuineness of the hypnotic state.’ The Committee also acknowledged that ‘as a therapeutic agent hypnotism is frequently effective in relieving pain, procuring sleep, and alleviating many functional ailments’ (BMA, 1892).
In 1955 a follow-up report was commissioned which endorsed the findings of the original 1892 Committee, and added the conclusions that ‘hypnotism is of value and may be the treatment of choice in some cases of so-called psycho-somatic disorder and psycho-neurosis. It may also be of value for revealing unrecognised motives and conflicts in such conditions.’
Is hypnotherapy like stage hypnosis?
Members of the hypnotherapy professional bodies (eg www.nrhp.co.uk and www.aphp.co.uk are bound by a ‘Code of Ethics and Practice’ which state that
"Therapists shall not give any performance, lecture or display which presents hypnosis or psychotherapy or allied disciplines as a means of entertainment."
Stage hypnosis is stage-managed and techniques are used to select people who are highly suggestible.
Is hypnosis safe?
Absolutely. There are no known records of anyone having been physically or mentally harmed as a direct result of hypnosis itself. It is utterly impossible for anyone to get ‘stuck’ in hypnosis.
What benefits can be achieved through hypnotherapy?
Hypnosis and self-hypnosis produce many benefits. Many illnesses are stress related and hypnotic techniques are renowned for stress management. Further hypnosis allows us the use the true power of our minds for a positive and realistic way of living.
How many sessions are required?
It is difficult to say how many sessions are required but I endeavour to facilitate rapid change therapy. For an issue such as smoking, generally one session is sufficient if the client is not experiencing any other emotional issues. This is because the client has already made a decision to quit and you either smoke or you don’t smoke!
However for other issues generally three sessions are needed or more, depending on the nature of the issue and the desire for change.