BEFORE YOU VISIT A HYPNOTHERAPIST - READ THIS FIRST!

I am always asked the same questions with regards to Hypnotherapy, so I thought I’d compile a list of frequently asked questions.

Is Hypnotherapy dangerous?

Absolutely NOT dangerous in the slightest – in fact, most of us are in a state of trance on and off throughout the day. Have you ever woken up just before your alarm and drifted dreamily…knowing you could be alert and wide awake if you wanted to yet enjoying the feeling of blissful relaxation so much you just want it to carry on? Have you ever been listening to someone, reading a book or watching television yet not taking anything in because you’re talking to your self about something completely different? Have you ever driven from one place to another and when you reached your destination couldn’t quite remember how you got there because you’d been on ‘autopilot?’ Do you daydream?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of the above – GREAT NEWS, you are able to take yourself into hypnotic trance really quickly and easily, so you will find listening to hypnotic audios or seeing a hypnotherapist effortless and will get the results you want fast.

Will you make me do strange things?

NO, Clinical Hypnotherapists who are certified and accredited with a Professional Governing Body will be well trained and supervised and have no time, energy or inclination to make you do things you don’t want to do. It is also completely impossible to make someone perform an act during trance without them wanting to do it – no matter what you may have seen or heard on television.

I am associated with The Association for Professional Hypnosis and Psychotherapy who is an Official Verification Authority for the UK Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council. My own training involved 100 hours of observed Hypnotherapy sessions and two years of Psychotherapeutic study before I was allowed to practice on my own. If in any doubt – ask the hypnotherapist who they are in Supervision with. All professional Hypnotherapists have to receive supervision by a mentor. I meet with my confidential professional group for four hours every month. We are also required to maintain our own continued professional development by attending courses, lectures, seminars and our own therapeutic counseling every year.

Competent therapists will only have your best intentions and well being in mind throughout the therapeutic process. This will involve you filling out a comprehensive Client Questionnaire that will need to be fully completed before the first session. This questionnaire followed by an in-depth discussion at your first appointment will give the therapist all the background information needed to work with you to reach your well-formed goals. This is an extremely important part of the therapeutic process.

Will I be sleepy afterward? Is it safe to go back to work?

You will feel relaxed afterward but not sleepy. The hypnotherapist will count you back up into waking consciousness, give you a drink and allow you to collect your thoughts and have a good stretch. They’ll always ask how you are feeling and monitor you for a while before you leave. You will leave feeling refreshed, awake and safe in the knowledge that you can go about your normal daily routine.

 If you know or expect a lot of deep, buried emotional issues may arise during the appointment – go easy on yourself afterward and allow yourself some time to heal. You may experience vivid dreams as your subconscious processes new data or decides to release old data that are not serving you anymore. However, during some of the deeper psychoanalytical therapy, you may not even be aware of the great work being done to transform and shift you into a place of healing and happiness and you may walk out with a real spring in your step eager to walk back into the world and experience all the amazing things it has to offer.

Will you be able to cure me in an hour?

We’re not in the business of ‘curing’ people, nor are we offering a quick fix or magic solution. Hypnotherapists will work with you in a therapeutic environment, sometimes combined with other therapeutic interventions such as Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, NLP™ Coaching, EFT, Counselling or Energy Work. They will work with you in a Therapeutic Alliance where you will also take on responsibility for your own healing: you may be required to listen to audios at home or complete small tasks during the week. This will be for your benefit and to allow you a greater understanding of your own psyche, empowering you for your future happiness and wellness. Appointment times can range from one to three hours and you may need a single appointment or several weekly ones. This will all be discussed during the initial appointment. The best results are always driven by an open heart and an open mind. You’re not servicing your car; you’re dealing with your brain and mental wellness, so rest assured that the changes will happen when you’re ready and willing.

There also may be situations where you don’t quite gel with your hypnotherapist or vice versa and they refer you. This is completely normal and happens quite often. Go with someone you feel comfortable with from the beginning. Likewise, if you are referred to another therapist feel pleased that the therapist was congruent enough to admit they didn’t possess the right criteria to help you reach your goals. We are a very supportive professional community and meet regularly. If we know another therapist is specialized in a particular area, you will be referred accordingly to a reputable therapist.

Can you stop me smoking?

Do you want to stop smoking or is someone putting pressure on you to give up? There is a big difference. Do NOT waste your money if you’re not one hundred percent sure. There are lots of fantastic Hypnotherapists who have very high success rates for Smoking Cessation. I will be referring to you to one of them because I don’t enjoy Smoking Cessation Sessions and would rather concentrate on other areas of therapy.