Hypnotherapy FAQs
Your hypnotherapy questions and answers may be listed here, if not, please contact me for more information.
Hypnosis is simply a form of deep relaxation. When our minds and bodies relax, the conscious mind, the analytical mind is distracted and we can gain direct access to the unconscious mind. Communication with the unconscious works best in the medium of images, dreams and metaphors. Hypnotherapy uses imagery and indirect suggestions via metaphors to bring about the changes you want.
Hypnosis is quite an individual experience. Some people may go into a deeper trance more easily than others. Some will experience light trance. For your hypnotherapy to work, a deep trance is not necessary, you don’t have to feel like you’re asleep. Each time you practise hypnosis, however, as you become accustomed to the process, you may drift a little deeper into relaxation.
All hypnosis is actually self-hypnosis, so no, nobody can hypnotise you but yourself. If you don’t want to be hypnostised, you won’t be. Don’t expect to feel that you’re in a deep sleep, you probably won’t feel like this until you want to. Remember you’re in control and the results are your results.
Those suffering from medical conditions such as epilepsy or those with psychiatric conditions (for example, psychosis, personality disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar, hysteria) should not engage in hypnotherapy. People with life-threatening diseases should consult their GP/doctor before using hypnotherapy. For anyone who suffering from highly traumatic or repressed memories, other techniques such as Time Line Therapy™ are more suitable and I’d advise against using hypnotherapy beforehand. Anyone who is unsure about whether hypnotherapy would suit their issue/medication can be put at ease by consulting their GP/doctor.
During the initial part of the recording, your body is encouraged to relax, then your mind, using gentle suggestions. This switches off your conscious mind (the analytical mind) and allows you to enter a day-dream like state. Your unconscious mind becomes more receptive and suggestions are added. The suggestions and metaphors are designed to be personal to you, I add in stories and imagery that resonates with you (places, music, people, activities that you like). In this vein, your mind relaxes and is more accepting of change. At the end of the session, you are brought gently back to being fully awake.
No, absolutely not. You are in control at all times, as such you control not only how deep your trance state, but also when you want to come out of trance. Nobody can force you into a trance or make you stay there, that’s impossible.
Not always! Everyone is different, you may notice changes quickly, you may need to listen to the recording several times. You may not notice the changes at first. Then, presented with a certain situation, you’ll act differently and realize that all the change work has come together!
The recording length is about 30 minutes, this is the optimum time for frequent use; any longer and finding the time to listen tends to become more difficult! The more you listen, the more the hypnotic suggestions are embedded in the unconscious mind. Repetition is good for the unconscious mind and new ways of thinking turn into new habits. I suggest listening every day – or every other day if you can’t find the time – for about a month to see and feel differently.
Hypnotherapy works best when unrelated issues are dealt with one at a time.
Your unconscious mind is listening all the time and remembers all that is said, even if you don’t and even if you fall asleep. So don’t worry, rest assured your hypnotherapy is having a positive effect.
Relaxation is actually not necessary, the suggestions will enter your unconscious mind whether your muscles in your body relax or not! The hypnosis is, however more beneficial if you can learn to relax. Try my free mp3 recording on the ‘Hypnosis’ page by pressing the back button.
I’m an accredited Trainer of Master Practitioner of NLP, Hypnotherapy and Time Line Therapy ™. I’m a member in good standing of the American Board of Hypnotherapy (ABH), Member of the American Board of NLP, Member of the American Board of NLP(Coaching Division) and Member of the Time Line Therapy™ Association. As part of my hypnotherapy, I blend in neurolinguistic programming (NLP) tools to bring about persuasive and pervasive change.