WHAT
IS CLINICAL HYPNOTHERAPY?
Psychological therapy and counselling (sometimes referred to as the
“talking cure”) is the treatment of emotional and psychological
disorders, unwanted habits and undesirable
feelings, using psychological techniques alone. The aim of all such
therapy is to assist people (usually referred to as clients) in finding
meaningful alternatives to their present unsatisfactory ways of thinking,
feeling or behaving. Therapy also tends to help clients become more
accepting both of themselves and others and can be most useful in
promoting personal development and unlocking inner potential.
There
are many forms of psychological therapy but Hypnotherapy is distinctive
in that it attempts to address the client’s subconscious mind.
In practice, the Hypnotherapist often (but not exclusively) requires
the client to be in a relaxed state, frequently enlists the power
of the client’s own imagination and may utilise a wide range
of techniques from story telling, metaphor or symbolism (judged to
be meaningful to the individual client) to the use of direct suggestions
for beneficial change. Analytical techniques may also be employed
in an attempt to uncover problems deemed to lie in a client’s
past (referred to as the “there and then”) or therapy
may concentrate more on a client’s current life and presenting
problems (referred to as the “here and now”). It is generally
considered helpful if the client is personally motivated to change
(rather than relying solely on the therapist’s efforts) although
a belief in the possibility of beneficial change may be a sufficient
starting point.
Regardless
of the techniques employed, perhaps the most important thing is that
a client should expect to feel comfortable and at ease with their
therapist. This is of particular importance in Hypnotherapy, in which
the value of the treatment is greatly enhanced when there is confidence
in the practitioner. For this reason we recommend that a single session
only is initially booked, leaving the client subsequently free to
decide if they wish to proceed with more.
Unlike many other psychological therapies, Hypnotherapy is generally
considered to be a fairly short-term approach in which beneficial
change, if it is to occur, should become apparent within a relatively
few sessions.
NB.
In actual practice, most Hypnotherapists will combine hypnotic procedures
with other appropriate counselling and therapeutic techniques. Should
there be any doubt about the combination of skills utilised in individual
cases, the therapist should be asked directly for a further explanation
of their preferred therapeutic approaches.
WHO
CAN BE HYPNOTISED?
The answer to this question is undoubtedly “virtually everyone”.
This claim must, however, be qualified by the observation that some
are more readily hypnotisable than others and that it will also depend
upon one’s willingness to be hypnotised at the time. This willingness
will itself depend upon a number of factors, not least of which will
be the strength of the person’s particular need and their trust
and confidence in the therapist concerned. A corollary to this question
is “What level of trance is required in order to achieve a beneficial
outcome?”
Although there remains some disagreement over the answer, most researchers
concur that the actual level (or depth) of trance obtained does not
relate to the beneficial results that might be obtained. In practice,
this means that even where a person feels that they have not been
hypnotised, given time (and this is a very important factor), the
desired outcome of therapy might yet materialise. This matter of time
is especially important in our current society, which has, in many
respects, been coerced into believing that gratification of every
desire should be instantaneous.
Hypnotherapy
can be extraordinarily effective but it is not magic.
However, if the right ingredients are present, if the time is right
and if a suitable practitioner can be found with whom the client is
willing to work, then all their (realistic) goals are achievable.
WHO
MAY BENEFIT FROM HYPNOTHERAPY?
Again, the answer to this question is “virtually everyone”.
Given that hypnotherapy can be utilised to access a person’s
inner potential and that probably no one is performing to their actual
potential, then this answer is literally true. However, it is not
just potential which Hypnotherapy is well placed to address but also
one’s inner resources to effect beneficial change. In this regard,
it is the innate healing capacity of our own body that may be stimulated
by Hypnotherapy. Consequently, the list of problems which may be amenable
to Hypnotherapy is far too long and varied to catalogue but certainly
includes: anxiety, panic, phobias, unwanted habits and addictions
(e.g. smoking, overeating, alcoholism), disrupted sleep patterns,
lack of confidence and low self-esteem, fear of examinations and public
speaking, allergies and skin disorders, migraine and irritable bowel
syndrome (IBS).
Additionally, it has proved of value within surgery, where normal
anaesthetics have not been practical, in the wider sphere of pain
management and in the areas of both sporting and artistic performance
enhancement. As an adjunct to other counselling techniques, it can
also assist in helping to resolve relationship difficulties and be
useful within anger management strategies.
Although
there remain many other areas of human suffering in which Hypnotherapy
may bring relief, there are instances in which it may be contra-indicated.
These could include some manifestations of depressive illness, epilepsy,
psychosis (e.g. schizophrenia) and some breathing problems.
SOME COMMON CONCERNS
Clients are sometimes concerned that they wilI “lose control”
in hypnosis. However, general consensus indicates that regardless
of how deeply people may go in hypnosis and however passive they may
appear to be, they actually remain in full control of the situation.
They are fully able to talk if they wish to (or not, as the case may
be) and can terminate the session, stand up and leave the room at
any time.
It is likely that the notion of a loss of control stems from most
people’s misconception of stage hypnosis, wherein participants
are apparently persuaded to perform all manner of (usually foolish)
acts. However, the reader should be aware that participation in a
stage act is an entirely voluntary process (thus “permission”
is already given to the hypnotist) and that there can be no such volunteer
who is unaware of exactly what they are letting themselves in for!
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Hypnosis is thought to work by altering our state of consciousness
in such a way that the analytical left-hand side of the brain is turned
off, while the non-analytical right-hand side is made more alert.
The conscious control of the mind is inhibited, and the inner-conscious
mind awoken. Since the inner-conscious mind is a deeper-seated, more
instinctive force than the conscious mind, this is the part which
has to change for the patient's behaviour and physical state to alter.
For example, a patient who consciously wants to overcome their fear
of spiders may try everything they consciously can to do it, but will
still fail as long as their inner-conscious mind retains this terror
and prevents the patient from succeeding. Progress can only be made
be reprogramming the inner-conscious mind so that deep-seated instincts
and beliefs are abolished or altered.
WHAT FORM MIGHT THE TREATMENT TAKE?
Firstly, any misconceptions a potential patient may have about hypnosis
should be dispelled. The technique does not involve the patient being
put into a deep sleep, and the patient cannot be made to do anything
they would not ordinarily do. They remain fully aware of their surroundings
and situation, and are not vulnerable to every given command of the
therapist. The important thing is that the patient wants to change
some behavioural habit or addiction and is highly motivated to do
so. They have to want the treatment to work and must establish a good
clinical rapport with the therapist in order for it to do so……..
The readiness and ability of patients to be hypnotised varies considerably
and hypnotherapy generally requires several sessions in order to achieve
meaningful results. However the patient can learn the technique of
self-hypnosis which can be practiced at home, to reinforce the usefulness
of formal sessions with the therapist. This can help counter distress
and anxiety-related conditions.
Hypnotism is a totally natural state of mind. When under hypnosis
you will feel very relaxed, just like that wonderful feeling when
you are tired lying in your bed and you are so overcome with comfort
that you wish the moment could last forever. Through simple hypnotic,
relaxation techniques you can easily attain this state at which time
it becomes easy, with the help of a trained hypnotherapist to visualise
yourself becoming healthier, happier, and more confident.
WHAT IS NLP?
(Neuro Linguistic Programming)
Techniques and strategies of NLP are based on the mental
and physical way in which we code and store information. This coding
affects all communication and behavior. It affects how you learn and
how you experience the world around you. It is a key to reaching goals
and achieving excellence.
NLP is a model of communication that focuses on identifying and using
patterns of thought that influence a person's behaviour as a means
of improving the quality and effectiveness of their lives. It offers
a paradigm of how the brain works (neuro), about how language interacts
with the brain (linguistic) and how we use this interaction to get
the results we want for ourselves and others (programming). NLP is
an effective proven vehicle for accelerated human change, radically
altering the 'old way' of lengthy psychotherapy. NLP techniques tackle
negative thoughts and behaviours at the neurological level by recoding
them and often include eye movement patterns.
WHAT
IS EFT?
EFT stands fro
the Emotional Freedom Technique and is a highly useful though somewhat
strange technique that can be used on a wide range ofconditions, from
phobias to negative emotions and traumatic memories. It consist of
tapping on certain points on the face on body in order to "discharge"
the negative emotional charge of an incident or condition. In the
hands of a skilled practitioner it is a highly effective addition
to the techniques employed and can be used solely or in conjunction
with hypnotherapy. It is something that can be taught to a client
to be practiced at home and so can very empowering.
WHAT
IS ENERGY THERAPY?
Energy therapy includes
chi healing and Reiki and to some extent EFT. Energy therapies generally
involve the laying on of hands either on or above the body in order
to "rebalance" misaligned energies. Although they may seem
rather esoteric or whacky for some people they are a valuable and
effective additional therapy for a wide range of conditions for those
clients who are willing to be open to them. For more detailed information
concerning Reiki and energy therapy click
here
WHAT
IS THE ULTRA DEEP STATE?
The Ultra Deep
State or the Sichort state (discovered by Walter Sichort) is the deepest
known state of consciousness or trance. Training in this state can
help with many serious illnesses. Some known characteristics of this
state include: REM-rapid eye movement, total anaesthesia, rapid healing,
releif from sleep deprivation, Inner peace, Spontaneous remmissions.
We are still exploring and understanding the Ultra Deep state.We do
not know all the answers as yet and more research needs to be undertaken.
WHAT IS KARUNA REIKI?
This system has been developed by William Lee Rand of the International
Center for Reiki Training, Michigan, USA. Karuna Reiki is a very powerful
energy therapy that works on a deep level of a person to bring about
change. For more information about Reiki and energy therapy click
here
WHAT
ARE BINAURAL BEATS?
Binaural beats are auditory brainstem
responses which originate in the superior olivary nucleus of each
hemisphere. They result from the interaction of two different auditory
impulses, originating in opposite ears, below 1000 Hz and which differ
in frequency between one and 30 Hz (Oster, 1973).For example, if a
pure tone of 400 Hz is presented to the right ear and a pure tone
of 410 Hz is presented simultaneously to the left ear, an amplitude
modulated standing wave of 10 Hz, the difference between the two tones,
is experienced as the two wave forms mesh in and out of phase within
the superior olivary nuclei. This binaural beat is not heard in the
ordinary sense of the word (the human range of hearing is from 20-20,000
Hz). It is perceived as an auditory beat and theoretically can be
used to entrain specific neural rhythms through the frequency-following
response (FFR)--the tendency for cortical potentials to entrain to
or resonate at the frequency of an external stimulus. Thus, it is
theoretically possible to utilize a specific binaural-beat frequency
as a consciousness management technique to entrain a specific cortical
rhythm.
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