HOW HYPNOTHERAPY WORKS
WHAT IS hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is a form of talking therapy that uses hypnosis to help people make changes in their lives.
So what is hypnosis?…
Focused Attention
Hypnosis is often described as a state of intense concentration. When you’re highly focused, you may notice that you’re more receptive to new thoughts or ideas that you’d normally ignore. You may have experienced this when you’re fully immersed in reading a book or watching a film. Hypnosis helps direct your attention inwards so you can consider new ideas.
Deeper Processing
Our minds are often jumbled with daily concerns and worries – hypnosis can help clear this mental clutter, opening a path to deeper processing and acceptance of suggestions and guidance. Brain imaging studies have shown that the brain is less distracted and more self-aware during hypnosis.
WHAT CAN HYPNOTHERAPY DO?
Imagine a garden where some plants aren’t thriving despite your best efforts. You water them regularly and get rid of weeds, yet they continue to struggle while other plants flourish.
What you can’t see is that beneath the soil, some of the roots are damaged or tangled, preventing the nutrients from reaching the plants. Simply adding more water or fertilizer to the surface won’t solve the fundamental issue.
This is like our problems – we try visible solutions (positive thinking, willpower, even ignoring!), but the real issues lie in our subconscious, like those hidden roots beneath the soil.
Hypnotherapy works by gently digging beneath the surface to access and repair these root systems. It doesn’t just treat the visible symptoms but addresses the underlying causes that were planted long ago and just need updating. Once these roots are untangled and healed, the whole garden can flourish naturally once again.
WHAT CAN HYPNOTHERAPY TREAT?
Because it works on the root cause of the issue, hypnotherapy is able to treat a range of different problems. These include:
Imposter Syndrome
Perfectionism
Self-esteem and Confidence
Anxiety
Habits
Procrastination
Stress and Overwhelm
Sleep and Self-Care
Fears and Phobias
WHAT HAPPENs IN A HYPNOTHERAPY SESSION?
In a typical hypnotherapy session you start by talking about what you want to work on. You will then be invited to close your eyes before being guided into a relaxed state of ‘trance’. Some clients find great benefits from the relaxation part alone.
The hypnotherapist then gives you suggestions which will help you achieve the changes you want to make in your life. During hypnosis you may find yourself focusing on every word you hear and at other times you may find your mind wandering off to wherever it wants to go. As your attention comes and goes, the critical part of your mind can stand down for a while so you can start to take back control of the thoughts and beliefs you want to change.
