FAQs

How does Hypnosis Work?

Changing a habit with hypnotherapy in one session is possible, but three to six sessions would not be uncommon, depending on the problem. There’s no typical length, treatment varies depending on what and how severe the issue is.

I will gently and safely guide you into this deep state of focus and relaxation with verbal cues, repetition and imagery. When you’re under hypnosis, this intense level of concentration and focus allows you to ignore ordinary distractions and be more open to guided suggestions to make changes to improve your health.

You are in control during the whole session, you can wake yourself up, open your eyes even though you may feel heavy and stuck to the chair, you really are just complying. To perform hypnosis, I'll ask you to sit comfortably, I'll adopt a much more deliberate, softer voice to lull you into a relaxing state of trance. As your conscious mind fully relaxes, your subconscious mind opens like a flower in blossom ready to accept new suggestions, learnings and beliefs.

I tailor my sessions to you. I use your words in hypnosis, everything you have told me in the session is the key to what imagery I might use, auditory words and feelings I may want you to feel. When you wake you will feel completely peaceful like you've had a beautiful ten hour sleep while knowing that something has changed at a much deeper level.

Your conscious mind is calmed and quietened to facilitate my suggestions. This is the part of your mind that keeps you stuck in analysing your problems.
With my help you’re able to tap into the part of your brain, your subconscious mind, where your thoughts, beliefs, perceptions, sensations, emotions, memory and behaviours originate.

In this state, you’re more open to my gentle guidance to help you modify or replace the unconscious thoughts that are driving your current unhelpful or toxic behaviours.
The common misconception is that I will click my fingers and you will be readily handing over your pin number while making clucking noises as you walk around the room... NO!

How do people describe the hypnotic experience?

People describe hypnosis in different ways. You may feel like you’re “zoned in” or in a trance-like state — so focused that you’re able to block out surrounding distractions. Have you ever been so focused on a TV show or so entrenched in a good book that you don’t hear your family talking around you or even your dog barking? This experience is somewhat similar to how you might feel while hypnotised. Many people say they feel calm and relaxed despite their increased concentration. Most described it as a pleasant experience.

What typically happens during a hypnotic session?

There are four stages of hypnosis: induction, deepener, suggestions and trance termination.

Induction

During this stage, you begin to relax, focus your attention and ignore distractions. I will guide you through this stage with specific techniques such as controlled breathing, progressive muscle relaxation throughout your body or focusing on a visual image.

Deepener

This stage continues the first stage, I will take your relaxation and focus to a deeper level. This step often involves counting down or using similar descending imagery such as walking down stairs or slowly sinking deeper and deeper into a comfortable chair. These first two stages are aimed at easing your openness to suggestions.

Suggestions

This is the stage for actual change in experience, behaviour or perception. I will be using imagery and carefully chosen language tailored from our sessions together. The suggestions are usually symptom focused (to resolve a symptom) or exploratory (to explore experiences associated with the start of symptoms). Suggested changes may be in perception, sensation, emotion, memory, thought or behaviour.

Example: To quit smoking, you’ll learn to identify your triggers to want to smoke, learn positive ways to change, understand resources to effect change, disrupt your pattern, attach a better response, notice the difference and install the changed behaviour. You may be encouraged to see your “old” self with black lungs in a mirror behind you and see your “new” healthy self with clean lungs in a mirror in front. You’ll then be guided to choose which self you like and to walk toward that self.

Trance Termination

During this stage, you come out of hypnosis. I will likely use reverse deepeners, such as giving you the suggestions that you’re climbing upstairs or counting up whilst becoming aware of sounds in the room or bringing movement back into your limbs.

Is hypnosis used as the sole treatment?

Hypnosis is usually used along with my other therapies and treatments as part of a complete treatment plan. The decision to use hypnotherapy as a sole treatment or as an add-on treatment is made in consultation when we sit together and discuss your goals.

What type of person benefits the most from hypnosis?

The person most likely to benefit is the person who’s highly motivated to overcome an issue and is comfortable with the process.

Is hypnotherapy inappropriate for some people?

Hypnosis may not be appropriate for people with severe mental health issues, such as psychotic symptoms, including hallucinations and delusions also those with recent epileptic fits or seizures within the past 3 months. It might also be inappropriate for someone who has a severe dependency on drugs or alcohol.

Common Misconceptions

There are a number of myths and misconceptions about hypnotherapy that can affect how people view this therapeutic tool.

Hypnotherapy is often confused with stage hypnosis. Stage hypnotists are performers. Hypnosis isn’t a stage act or some magical act. Clinical hypnosis is a type of medical therapy that’s often used as part of a treatment plan.

Hypnotherapy causes you to forget what happened. You will remember the things that occur during your hypnotic state, you will not be asleep or unconscious, and you will be able to break the hypnotic trance at any time. Most people remember everything that happens during hypnosis.

Hypnotherapy causes you to lose control. During hypnotherapy, you remain in control. It is not possible for anyone to force you to do anything against your will, even under hypnosis. You will be tuned in to the work at hand, and so may not pay attention to your surroundings, but you will always be in charge of your own actions, behaviours, and statements. You won’t reveal any information that you wish to remain secret.

Not everybody can be Hypnotised. While some people believe that they cannot be hypnotised, research suggests that most people are hypnotisable to a certain degree. Only about 10% of people are difficult or impossible to hypnotise.