What is Hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is therapy done in hypnosis. Hypnosis is actually a very natural state of mind. Its like the wonderful feeling of yourself, lying on your sofa, and being so comfortable and relaxed. At this time, with the help of a trained therapist, you will be able to focus more attention or visualize yourself becoming healthier, more confident or whatever it is that you want to be. This does not mean that the entire therapy is done in hypnosis. Half of the time, the therapist will engage in conversation with you to assess your issues and collaborate with you to find a solution and a goal. In hypnosis, the therapist will guide you to make those solutions and goals work for you by ultilising the power of your own mind. During a hypnotherapy session, your therapist does not hypnotise you; rather they serve as a coach to guide you in that state because hypnosis is a natural occuring state. How many times have you driven your car to work, only to realise that suddenly you reached your destination without being consciously aware of the journey or which turns you made? Have you ever watched a move and enjoyed yourself so much so that you forgotten that you are in a cinema with 30 other people? Hypnosis feels something like that. Hypnotherapy is actually a two way process. It is a professional relationship between the therapist and the client. Both parties have to co-operate with each other before one can be put it the hypnotic state. Remember, while in hypnosis, no one can make you do things that you do not want to do. Hypnosis for the helping profession and stage hypnosis are two separate fields. Misconceptions of hypnosis You will always be in-control: You cannot be forced to do things you do not want to do. You will always wake up: You cannot get stuck in hypnosis. The most that could happen is that you doze off into sleep and would wake up naturally It is a collaboration: Hypnotherapy is a collaboration between the therapist and the client. The therapist does not forces you to change your habits or make your goals for you. A mutual goal is made together. You won’t do things against your will. You will set your goals together with your therapist. Should he/she suggest something that is not relevant to you, your mind will not accept it and thus won?t be affected. Your rights are always protected. All therapists are bound by a professional code of ethics. The content of the therapy sessions will be kept highly confidential between you and your therapist.
Hypnosis for anxiety
The British Psychological Society has now officially declared Hypnosis a proven therapeutic medium to curb stress, anxiety, pain, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome and migraines. “Improvements in hypnosis can be as specific as eliminating erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation, remaining committed to a workout plan, delivering a dynamic sales presentation or as broad as improving motivation and increasing confidence?, said psychologist and certified hypnotherapist Marty Lerman, PhD, author of Mindshift.
Anxiety can be experienced at different degrees and although most people experience a relatively mild form of anxiety when facing particularly stressful situations (such as a speech or a presentation), anxiety disorders are severe and can disrupt the everyday life of an individual. Anxiety can be brought on by fear of something that happened or what we think happened and dread happening again.
Stress and anxiety are everywhere in our society and, if not dealt with, can cause real health problems i.e. back complaints, stomach problems, migraines, depression etc. There are even links suggested between living a stressful lifestyle and diabetes. Relaxation exercises and other stress management techniques will help you not only to combat stress and cope with it but ultimately, and far more importantly, to prevent it in the first place.
Hypnotherapy is an effective treatment for anxiety disorders. It aims to seek out the root cause of the anxiety and change an individual’s perception of a past event or release emotions from it.
- Hypnosis can incorporate lots of different therapeutic models to help you deal with the present stress and anxiety but also to help you avoid developing high underlying stress levels.
- It can help develop subconscious learning and, by teaching you relaxation techniques and exercises, it can enable you to develop natural responses i.e. a relaxation reflex as opposed to a stress reflex.
- It can also help with positive thinking and assertiveness. By understanding stress and your body’s reaction to it, you can start to create new positive reactions which become a self- fulfilling prophecy.
Basically, the better you feel about your ability to cope with stressful situations, the better you will, in fact, cope with them. Hypnotherapy is not only effective for stress symptoms such as insomnia, muscle tension, rushing, worrying etc. but is also a great approach to dealing with stress and anxiety before it even happens.
Self Hypnosis
Simple steps for Self Hypnosis Hypnosis is a tool that can help one to achieve their desires and goals. It helps you to access the power of your subconscious mind. In fact, all hypnosis is self hypnosis.
When you practice self hypnosis, you change your thoughts, beliefs and energy about who you are, giving yourself the opportunity to transform your life!
- Go to a quiet room and sit in any comfortable chair or couch. Although some people prefer to lie down, you are more susceptible to falling asleep than when sitting up.
- Make sure you are not going to be disturbed for at least half an hour.
- Close your eyes and start to get rid feelings of fear, stress or anxiety from your mind. When you begin, you might find it difficult not to think, but it would become better over time.
- Recognize the tension in your body. Beginning with your toes, imagine the tension slowly falling away from your body and vanishing. Visualize each part of your body becoming lighter and lighter as the tension is removed.
- Take slow, deep breaths.
- Appreciate the fact that you are now extremely relaxed.
- Say positive statements in your mind. 2 or 3 times should be enough.
- Allow yourself about 2-3 minutes to enjoy the relaxation process before opening your eyes. Take your time getting up. Tell yourself “Wide awake, wide awake.” This will put your mind back in the conscious state.