Another form of therapy that is sometimes feared, exploited and under-estimated. We have all seen Paul McKenna hypnotise people on stage and make them do just about anything he asks them to and we all say "I'm not doing that"! But Hypnotherapy has helped many people including myself so it may be worth while reading on to see what it could do for you!
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What is it?
There are many
fears and misunderstandings about the use of hypnosis and hypnotherapy, and the myths and
mystery that surround it are totally undeserved. Hopefully this page will help to reassure
you that what happens is very normal, certainly non-magical, with generally predictable
results.
Hypnosis is usually induced by the use of the therapist's voice, though you are unlikely
to actually feel hypnotised. There is no such thing as a 'hypnotised feeling', though many
people find their senses to be far more alert than usual - you will certainly not 'lose
control' at any time, nor can you be manipulated in any way.
There is no form of unconsciousness and nobody can be made to do anything that they do not
want to do; a person in hypnosis is aware of everything happening around them, aware of
themselves and their therapist, and will retain a full and accurate memory of everything
afterwards.
Hypnosis, a totally natural phenomenon, is simply a very comfortable
and relaxed state during which it is quite easy to converse sensibly with the therapist.
Almost anyone can enter the hypnotic state easily, with the exceptions of the truly
mentally subnormal, very young children, and anybody under the influence of hard drugs or
very large quantities of alcohol. It is inconceivable that any harm could befall anybody
in this pleasant state.
This is a reliable and safe therapeutic technique which is centuries old and is recognised
by many branches of orthodox medicine as a valuable alternative to drugs, to accelerate
healing, and to help combat pain.
Whilst not a panacea for all ills, hypnotherapy can be an effective treatment method for a
great many problems where psychological factors are involved.
What can it do?
The mind is a very powerful thing and it can be tuned, programmed or receive suggestions quite easily, though still maintaining control and understanding. The mind controls all of our thoughts - good and bad - but can sometimes be tricked into believing things that are "not quite right" which then signals other parts of the body to react accordingly.
Typical examples of this are "Panic Attacks" and "Phobias" when the mind believes we are in danger and the body reacts accordingly. This is why phobias and panic can be cured by changing the way "we think". You've no doubt heard the expression "it's all in the mind"!
Hypnotherapy allows the hypnotherapist to 'suggest' positive thoughts to the mind to allay the negative thoughts that 'creep in and take over'.
You may know someone who has given up smoking after receiving hypnotherapy and again this is done by suggestions to the sub-conscious mind.
About treatments
Hypnosis itself is unlikely to provide a relief of symptoms, whatever those symptoms might be. It is the therapy - hypnotherapy - which is carried out within the hypnotised state that is important.There are two entirely different forms:
Suggestion Therapy
This form of treatment is ideal for helping
to cope with such things as examination fears, driving test nerves, smoking, nail-biting,
some weight-control problems, stress, and so on. Usually, between two and four sessions
are needed.
Analytical Therapy
This is used for the more deep-rooted problems. The technique aims to find and remove the underlying original cause of such things as irrational fears, emotional problems, relationship difficulties, psychosexual problems, lack of confidence, moodiness, sleeping difficulties, stuttering/stammering, anxiety, inferiority complex, unhappiness, phobias, etc. and most other problems where there is a psychological factor at work.
The number of sessions that are needed will depend on the severity of the problem and whether you respond quickly to hypnotherapy or not. It is not always possible to cure a problem with just one session and most Hypnotherapists will recommend that you start with 3 sessions and see how it goes. If you are one of the lucky ones then 1 session may be all that is needed.
My experiences
Several years ago it was suggested that I see a hypnotherapist for my health/phobia problems. There was no way I was going to be hypnotised and dancing around the room like a chicken! Then, of course, there were all the newspaper stories that claimed women were raped whilst hypnotised.
Well, I was faced with a dilemma in March 2000 that I wanted to go abroad again (flying) and hadn't done it for 5 years. I was terrified at the thought of going on an aeroplane again so I booked myself on a "Fear of flying course". Bad move - I started getting sleepless nights about it the minute I booked it in January 2000 and the flight wasn't until April!
In March I decided that I had to take drastic action to cure myself of the fear. If people could be hypnotised to give up smoking after just one session then I could be hypnotised to get on the plane and enjoy it!
I went to see a lady called Les Eames and was very scared and wary of what would happen. The first session lasted 2 hours so I could talk about my fears and problems before any hypnotherapy started. Les explained exactly what would happen but it was still really hard to relax.
I had listened to relaxation tapes before and was told that hypnotherapy was no different - and it wasn't. There was relaxing music playing in the background, scented candles burning and a relaxing soothing voice talking to me.
Les suggested things to my sub-conscious mind and to be honest I switched off after a while and my mind wandered off. Apparently that doesn't matter as the sub-conscious mind will still be listening. What I remember most is Les saying to me that if I got on the plane and panicked then I would hear her voice saying "Relax Nicky, relax".
To cut a long story short, I had 3 sessions prior to the flight and did survive it - just! Each time I felt myself losing control, I remembered her words and they helped calm me.
I carried on seeing Les for hypnotherapy for some time afterwards and I also diversified to Reiki as she does that as well.
Contacts
If you live in the Luton area, then you may wish to contact the lady I see for Hypnotherapy. Her name is Les Eames and you can call her on (01582) 459060. Her email address is "les@activehealing.co.uk " or you can visit her Web site at www.freewebs.com/activehealing33. Unfortunately I have no other contacts for Hypnotherapy so all I can suggest is that you look in the "Yellow pages" under "Hypnotherapists" to see if anyone in your area offers treatment. Alternatively you could ask your doctor for a recommended list of Hypnotherapists or simply go on "word of mouth". I am not qualified to recommend Les Eames but I am just stating that I have had no problems with her or doubt her qualifications.
Related sites
www.priory-spirit.co.uk/hypnotherapy.htm
www.hypnos.info
- Oxford Hypnotherapy - Specialising in stress management, confidence and
achieving life-goals. High-Quality hypnosis tapes and cds available.
www.hypnosis.me.uk - Hypnosis
and Hypnotherapy UK - Resources links and information on Hypnosis and
Hypnotherapy in the UK
www.justbewell.com
- Hypnotherapist
www.phoenixhypnosis.com - Hypnotherapy for giving up smoking