“Look into my eyes, you are feeling sleepy, very sleepy” is the catch phrase that most people associate with hypnosis. The watch-swinging showman with eyes that could pierce a stone.
The above statement is probably the most common perception that people have of hypnosis, and it certainly is a mythical one.
Hypnosis is a naturally occurring state whereby the subconscious mind is rendered highly suggestible.
Hypnotherapy is an extremely effective therapy that utilises this naturally occurring state, called hypnosis (a bridge between the mind, body and spirit) to address the subconscious mind, using the power of suggestion to create clear, intentional thought and create new programs and behaviours for the individual’s highest good.
During the state of hypnosis, which is a safe and natural relaxed, but yet focused state of mind, hypnotherapy can be used to promote the desired changes.
As an Integrative Hypnotherapist, I seek to understand and incorporate various approaches and modalities that resonate with your individual needs and requirements.
Simply, because it is natural, safe, effective and it works.
Today, hypnosis is also recognised by the scientific and medical community as an effective healing tool.
Hypnotherapy addresses the largest part of our mind involving 90-95% of our mental capacity – the subconscious mind.
During the state of hypnosis the subconscious part of the mind (which is likened to the ‘hidden commander’) becomes more receptive, whilst the conscious or critical part of the mind becomes less controlling.
If you imagine the mind as an iceberg, it consists of two parts:-
Every thought produces a feeling – physically, mentally or emotionally. For example, perhaps there is a certain smell that immediately triggers a memory from your past, or a memory of a particular food that makes your mouth water. Habits get deeply instilled in the subconscious which is why they are difficult to break. You may be able to rationalise about the dangers of cigarette smoking for example, but at the same time be unable to break the habit. Hypnotherapy can help to break the cycle of habits or unwanted reactions by creating new patterns in the subconscious.
People of average intelligence (unless there is some form of organic brain damage) can be hypnotised in most cases, if they are willing. The depth of hypnosis varies with a person’s ability to respond. If you are not a naturally responsive subject, you can improve your receptivity to hypnosis with practice.
This question alone, however, is an example of the misunderstanding of what hypnosis is and how it works. Hypnosis or being in a hypnotic state is just as natural as breathing and sleeping. You may even be in a hypnotic state as you are reading this.
Any time we are in what is called ‘the zone’ or spaced out or daydreaming we are referring to the same thing, being out of the state of conscious, analytical thinking and entering what is a light hypnotic state. We drift in and out of this ‘light trance’ state all day, every day.
There are four levels of brain wave activity: Beta, Alpha, Theta and Delta. Once we leave the total awareness, conscious, analytical state of mind (Beta) we drift into the Alpha state. This is considered a light level hypnotic state though a lot of change can be directed in this state. This is also why some hypnosis clients may think they were not hypnotised, because it was a lighter level and not what they expected hypnosis to be. Though these same people welcome the positive changes they achieve from this process.
Theta is the state of mind when we are dreaming when asleep, though still conscious as we are aware of many of our dreams.
Delta is to to be unconscious.
With this simple understanding, it may seem that all people can be hypnotised. Well, not quite. Though the number varies a bit, it is reported that people with an IQ below 70 will not respond to hypnosis and anyone who is too drunk would not be a good candidate either. Therefore it is safe to say that almost all people, especially anyone who comes to a hypnosis session on their own is capable of being hypnotised.
There is definitely one factor to prevent the hypnotic process from happening though and that is you! If you do not want to be hypnotised, then you won’t.
Intelligence is directly correlated to suggestibility. The more intelligent you are, the more easily you can be hypnotised. People of a below-average IQ find it difficult to go into a hypnotic state. Geniuses are naturally close to a hypnotic state of Alpha most of the time and therefore enter hypnosis easily. This accounts for their ability to transfer information from their subconscious mind to their waking life and bring to the world their creations.
It has been discovered by several research groups that the hearing acts like a surveillance camera. Your eyes close, but you ears cannot close. They remain open always, taking in information constantly. When a mother is “asleep” and hears her baby cry, she will “awaken” immediately.
The truth is, we never really sleep, and a part of our brain always stays alert. That part is our hearing. It stays alert to protect our offspring and us. Your hearing is “on” 24/7, taking in information and recording it. In hypnosis, we use this to your advantage, so even if you fall “asleep” during the session, your brain is still recording all of the information in your subconscious mind.
Hypnosis is not done to you, it is done with you. It is collaborative. I, the Hypnotherapist, the facilitator who induces this naturally occurring state, hypnosis, whereby information and suggestions are processed more readily and rapidly without so much influence / sabotage from the critical, analytical, conscious mind.
Some people are afraid that their mind will be “controlled” by the hypnotist, or that they will “lose control” and do things or say things they do not wish to do.
A person in hypnosis does not lose control, and more importantly, hypnosis cannot make you do anything that goes against your morals or belief system or harm you in anyway.
In fact, there is nothing dangerous about hypnosis. If there were, we would certainly know it. We would have to tell ourselves not to slip into another state of consciousness, not to daydream, not to concentrate deeply, not to become totally absorbed in things of compelling interest.
A person entering the state of hypnosis feels total relaxation, and upon leaving this natural state they are wonderfully calm, extremely relaxed and are never skeptical of hypnosis again.
Contrary to popular belief hypnosis is not a sleep state. It is a state of FOCUSED concentration where you are physically relaxed and mentally focused. As it is a natural state, if I, the Hypnotherapist, were to ‘disappear’, you would come out of it like you would a natural day dream state or slip into sleep and wake up naturally feeling energised and refreshed.
Hypnosis is a perfectly safe, natural state of mind. You are always in control.
You do not get ‘stuck’ in hypnosis.
To me, it is an honour and a privilege to have the opportunity to meet with you and work with you in this way. I approach each session with the deep reverence and respect it deserves, and I give you my undivided attention and presence throughout the entire session.
You remain aware and in control during all hypnotic sessions. Initially, we will discuss your requirements and I will be getting to know you and understand you and your individual needs. During this time any questions you may have about the process will be answered. It is very important to me that you feel respected, comfortable and safe at all times.
I will always communicate to you what is happening and why.
Being induced into hypnosis is a gentle, relaxed process, guided only by my voice. There are no pendulums or bright lights. In the hypnotic state, you are by no means asleep, even though would appear to be. There is a heightened awareness, so you know everything that is happening around you, while still being able to recall very fine details of what you are seeing and hearing in your mind.
I will offer suggestions by way of various techniques and/or help you, where needed, to find the root cause of your problem.
Gentle suggestions are used, helping you to untie the subconscious knot and free you to live a healthier, more productive life. The old negative thought patterns are replaced using positive suggestions, which, in turn, can lead to a more emotionally balanced, happy & healthy individual.
Most people will remember the beginning parts of the session and perhaps the last thing that occurred before coming out of hypnosis. The rest may be remembered in snatches like pieces of dreams, but it begins to fade quickly and only major parts may be remembered.
Just as each person is unique, so is each presenting issue with the individual. Therefore there are no predetermined number of sessions. Each session is catered to the individual client, and conducted in a professional clinical environment with complete client confidentiality.
Begin with one. Most of my clients notice a significant and positive change after their first session, and many elect to come back to work on another aspect of their wellbeing or for the enjoyment of deep relaxation and personal development.
90% of clients I see to STOP SMOKING give up after their first session.
If you click on to the Testimonials link, you can read some of the many letters/emails received at my office, sharing how Hypnosis has helped these people overcome their particular challenge.