What is it about hypnosis that fascinates, yet frightens us as well?
The entertainment industry has painted a picture of hypnosis that is designed to get bums on seats. Having said that, these hypnotists are very skilled in their craft. They are stage hypnotists and people are often afraid that their mind can be controlled almost to the point of becoming brainwashed.
This is not what hypnotherapy is about. Not enough recognition nor understanding is given to the Clinical Hypnotherapist, where phenomenal results occur rapidly and with great success, but over time it became apparent, to me that hypnosis on its own, was not enough to make a permanent impact.
Hypnotherapy was the first ‘string to my bow’ and I continued to add other skills such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Life Coaching and Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), all of which provide significant information, when developing the clients’ individual program. Hypnosis used in conjunction with these methods is far more effective, than just hypnotherapy on its own.
It is imperative to get a detailed history from the client, to allay their fears about the hypnosis part of their session and to get a mandate from the client as to what outcome they want. In this way, I am able to work out an individually crafted program that is strongly targeted for each clients’ barriers. Everyone is unique and therefore every program needs to be as unique as the person you are treating.
Moving into my 15th year as a Clinical Hypnotherapist and Professional Life Coach, it gives me such a thrill to see how astounded clients are at their results and the period of time it takes to achieve them. Most clients that I see arrive with limited beliefs, they leave knowing that they are limitless. The only limit is the limit you impose on yourself.
One can ask, why is hypnotherapy so effective?
While most people believe they are relinquishing control to the hypnotherapist, nothing could be further from the truth. If anything, it is a means of enhancing mind-body control. It intercepts the emotions a client presents with, such as anxiety, fear and other unhelpful feelings and allows the progression of the induction state to move into the state of altered consciousness, where the clients’ mandate is carried out through acceptable suggestion.
Here are the fears and questions that are commonly asked during a consultation:
- Will I fall asleep?
- Will it alter my religious beliefs?
- Can you make me tell you my secrets?
- Will I be magically healed?
- Will I hear what you are saying?
- What if I don’t wake up?
- What if I can’t be hypnotized?
- Is hypnosis safe?
- How will I know if I go into hypnosis?
Briefly, in answer to the above questions…
You will be awake the entire time. However, you will be in a very relaxed state, which is an added bonus to the whole experience.
You will never fall asleep, as that is not an optimum state for the client.
You are in complete control due to your Critical Factor – the part of your brain that acts as a firewall in the mind between the conscious and the subconscious mind. It stops messages from automatically being accepted…therefore you are in total control the entire time!
You will never release any information that you want to protect.
You will not be magically healed. You will have some work to do yourself.
There will be moments of crystal clear clarity and others that are a bit foggy. And there is no danger of altering your religious beliefs, as I am unable to impose my will on you.
Hypnosis is completely safe, providing your therapist is certified and skilled.
And finally…
What if I told you that everybody experiences a state of hypnosis every single day and many times during the day? Simply put, hypnosis is a state of altered consciousness. Not astate of unconsciousness.
Have you ever lost yourself in a book, watched a movie that was so gripping, driven to work and didn’t remember the trip? All of these are states of altered consciousness.
It’s safe to say you’ve probably even already experienced a state of hypnosis whilst reading this article 😉
Have any questions? Please join me for a virtual coffee.