Hypnotherapy
Hypnosis is a naturally occurring altered state of awareness or “consciousness”, different from the normal waking state. A person in a hypnotic state is at a heightened state of awareness and does hear what is being said and suggested, and does know what is happening. The person is usually very deeply relaxed the kind of state you are in just before you fall asleep. The state of hypnosis is sometimes referred to as a trance state.
Hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis in therapy and is one of the most natural and powerful processes of affecting beneficial change. The use of hypnosis for healing and nurturing humanity has been around for thousands of years in places like Egypt and India.
Most hypnotists use hypnosis mainly for entertainment and anyone can call themselves a hypnotist, often after a day or a weekend workshop.
Hypnotherapist and clinical Hypnotherapist
A hypnotherapist may or may not be formally trained to deal with clinical conditions such as Anxiety, Panic Depression…while a Clinical hypnotherapist does undergo training and supervision to deal with clinical conditions and usually hold a Diploma from a reputable organisation. It is therefore essential you check with the respective organisations such as the GHR General Hypnotherapy Register, British Society of Clinical Hypnosis.
In any event all hypnosis is self-hypnosis and for this reason you cannot be “hypnotised” against your will. The therapist assists or directs the clients to use their ability to maximum benefit. You can disregard the suggestions given by the hypnotherapist, if the suggestions are against your beliefs or unacceptable to you. So, you always have full control over what suggestions you want to accept as beneficial to you. Just take a moment to consider this: If the therapist really had such power to control you and change you, could there really be such things as illnesses or suffering etc..?
I occasionally have clients ring me up and say “What is your success rate Marion?” or, “Can you guarantee your results?
This often happens when people telephone me about stop smoling or weight control.
Well, I have to tell them that I cannot determine my success rate nor guarantee the results for something for which someone else has the control. This is probably because they believe that they go to therapy to be “fixed”. The way I practise therapy, it is a “to do with” , rather than a “do to” process. As a therapist and a trainer my outcome is always to empower those who seek my assistance to help themselves, not just in the therapy room, but long after they have left me. I am just the guide who offers suggestions and ensure that you stay on course and get there safely and comfortably.
There is nothing magic or mystical about hypnosis except perhaps to the extent it enables you to take control of things that may have seemed beyond your control in the past. Hypnotherapy enables you to discover and access resources you were not previously aware of.
In hypnotherapy, what happens is your body is relaxed and so is your thinking mind, which kind of takes a little “nap”, during which the suggestions for beneficial changes can be made to your unconscious mind. This is the reason why hypnotherapy is so effective in changing unwanted behaviours. I can understand why people believe it is magic. If that was so, then you as the client must be the magician!
Before you book a session
- It is very important that you understand that the therapy I offer is not in any way intended to replace formal diagnosis or traditional treatments for your condition.
- Do make sure the hypnotherapist is adequately qualified and experienced. Check with their professional body if you are in doubt
- You may need to consult your GP or Psychotherapist first if you are undergoing prescribed treatment.
- Discuss your condition with the Hypnotherapist
- Agree the sessions and fee in advance and find out cancellation policies etc.
- Be totally committed to getting the results you want from the session/s. You need to be a 'volunteer' to come for hypnotherapy on your own free will. It is essential that you have your focus on what you wish to achieve and only settle for that. This ensures success.
British Society Of Clinical Hypnosis
Copy right Marion Dias 2004 marion@hypno-therapeutiques.co.uk