What is it like being hypnotised?
Being hypnotised is when you to go into a state of trance.
This is merely a relaxed state, where you are able to allow your conscious mind to wander, and your subconscious mind to focus on solving problems.
We go in and out of trance many times a day – when you're driving your car on a familiar route, when you're out for a jog, when you're watching the TV. It is a daydreaming state where your thoughts focus on something other than what is in front of you.
When you daydream in front of the TV and someone calls your name, or asks you a question, you are able to come out of trance and back to reality quickly and easily. The same is true of the trance on the hypnotherapist's couch.
Will I still be in complete control?
Of course, you will still be in complete control. Just like when you're daydreaming, when you are on the hypnotherapist couch, you are fully in control of your mind and your thoughts. Your subconscious will reject any suggestions made that it does not agree with. There is no magic or trickery in hypnotherapy.
So, while we cannot make you think you're a chicken, we also cannot magically fix your problems or make you happy overnight. What we are able to do is help you discover your own resources and problem solving abilities to move closer towards your goals, and develop strategies to gain control of unwanted habits. You need to want to make these changes, otherwise hypnotherapy will not work for you.
How many sessions will I have?
This can vary depending on what you want to change, and how you feel you are managing in your daily life at present. Taking control and giving up smoking is a one-off session (usually 1.5 hours - 2 hours). Specific phobias and fears are 4 sessions only. However, if you have fear or anxiety in many different areas of your life, or your unwanted habits or thoughts are affecting how you feel and behave on a day-to-day basis, it will take longer to address these issues and move on from them. If you wanted to get fit, but you haven't done any exercise for many years, you wouldn't expect to get fit after only 2 or 3 sessions. Also, once you feel you have got yourself fit, you would still need to keep up with some exercise to maintain it. Keeping mentally and emotionally fit is a similar concept – over time, we will get you to the position you want to be in, and make sure you have all the knowledge and skills you need to maintain this health in the future, no matter what life events happen along the way. Usually, we estimate that around 3-12 sessions will be enough, but we can keep reviewing your progress as we go along, and end the sessions when you feel comfortable and ready to carry on on your own.
Can Anyone Be Hypnotised?
If you have an imagination and can day dream then yes. People with some psychiatric diagnoses may not find hypnotherapy suitable. People on the autistic spectrum may also not find hypnotherapy suitable (although some may). Please contact us for further details on any of the above.