Hypnosis and hypnotherapy: what are they?

Hypnotherapy uses hypnosis for therapeutic purposes. It involves a partnership between therapist and client to achieve the changes you want. We work together to relax your mind, so you can understand how your thoughts and feelings determine the way you experience your life.

And when you are relaxed in this way, it's easy to make the connection between your experience and your thoughts and feelings, and accept suggestions about other ways you can feel and think to achieve the results you want.

You are always in control of the session, and can snap out of the trance at any time, if you need to. You cannot be made to say, do or reveal anything against your will. You allow yourself to go into the trance, to the level you are comfortable with. You are normally aware of everything that is said and done in the session.

What is hypnosis?

The US Federal definition of hypnosis is "...bypassing the critical factor of the mind, and the establishment of acceptable, selected thinking." In other words, the hypnotic trance relaxes the boundary between the conscious and subconscious parts of the mind (critical factor), allowing suggestions that challenge and revise outdated beliefs to be made and accepted by the subconscious. For more detail about how the conscious and subconscious minds work, and how this makes hypnosis and hypnotherapy possible, see this link.

Everyone can go into hypnosis, though how each person experiences the specifics of the trance can vary. Only extreme fear, lack of knowledge or (rarely) an inability to concentrate sufficiently, result in someone not being able to go into the trance.

In general, people experience hypnosis as relaxed, focussed awareness and absorption. It is similar to states you go through every day, like daydreaming, listening to music, reading a book or watching TV, and the time just before waking up and going to sleep. It is also like the times when you can't remember the journey when you arrive at your destination, or the feeling that time has somehow disappeared when you've been concentrating hard.

For more information on hypnosis and hypnotherapy, or to book an appointment, contact Sian on 07725 732810 or email.

Frequently Asked Questions

How will I know I've been hypnotised? You'll likely experience some or all of the following physical, emotional and mental effects:

  • breathing deepens and slows
  • circulation slows
  • muscle relaxation
  • eyes flickering, (similar to eye movements in sleep)
  • occasional swallowing (mouth can become dry, as you're not speaking)
  • sensations of heaviness/lightness, especially in hands and feet
  • increased awareness and focus (mental and physical)
  • feelings of calm and relaxation, as anxiety and worry dissolve
  • mind occasionally drifting, then returning to session content

Can anyone be hypnotised?
Everyone can be hypnotised, although your co-operation is key because you need to allow yourself to go into the trance, to the level you are comfortable with. Only fear, lack of knowledge or (rarely) an inability to concentrate sufficiently, result in someone not being able to go into the trance.

Will I be under the therapist's control?
No. You are always in control of the session, and can snap out of the trance at any time, if you need to.

Can I be made to do or say things I don't agree with?
You cannot be made to say, do or reveal anything against your will. You will also automatically reject any suggestions given in trance that you don't agree with.

Can I get stuck in the trance?
No. You can return to your usual awareness whenever you need to.