What is hypnosis?

Healing by trance state (or an altered state of awareness) is among the oldest phenomena known to man and is found, in one form or another, in virtually every culture throughout the world. It could also legitimately be described as the original psychological therapy, and as the basis for many of the more recent styles of psychological intervention.

With the assistance of a skilled hypnotherapist it is possible to use this state to make deep and lasting changes to thoughts, feelings and behaviour. Hypnotherapy is a valuable means by which past trauma can be released, and established habits deconditioned. Even though our personal unconscious only ever seeks to promote our well being it can often be the seat of faulty learning from our childhood, leading to low self esteem, under achievement, and unhealthy habits of thought and behaviour. Hypnotherapy can facilitate an unconscious relearning process, permitting healing and the flourishing of a happier and healthier life.

The trance state can be produced either by oneself (auto or self-hypnosis) or by responding to the directions of a therapist. It is usually accompanied by deep physical relaxation, a focusing of your attention within yourself and a corresponding reduction in awareness of your surroundings. Hypnosis has been likened to daydreaming, and naturally occurring forms of hypnotic trance are common i.e. when absorbed in a good book or some other activity, or driving on auto pilot down a familiar road.

Will I lose control?

At all times you can choose not to respond to the suggestions of the therapist and to come out of trance. Hypnosis can be likened to playing the piano - the music teacher can demonstrate but cannot actually do the playing for you.

Can anyone be hypnotised?

Everyone has the ability to enter hypnotic trance if they so wish. Some people have a greater natural ability than others. It is not however something you have done to you but a state of mind you can learn to produce for yourself.

What can hypnosis be used for?

The induction of trance is usually linked with physical relaxation and this of itself is useful in cases of stress and anxiety. The main use of hypnosis is that it facilitates therapy in many medical problems. Hypnosis can also be useful in the treatment of many other conditions such as phobias, post traumatic stress disorder, and irritable bowel syndrome. Pain relief and reduction of the inflammatory response are among other useful applications. When in hypnotic trance you have much greater access to your unconscious mind and any suggestions given by yourself or a therapist act more powerfully and more surely than at any other time as they go straight into the ‘unconscious mind’ and start to exert an influence over how you feel, think and behave. Thus suggestions to increase self confidence and to increase feelings of calmness and comfort can be used regularly while practising self-hypnosis to help control anxiety and stress. Self-hypnosis should be practised regularly for 10-15 minutes once or twice a day especially for the first 3-4 weeks for, as with any skill, it improves with practice.

Can I hear what is going on around me?

Yes, hypnosis is not like being asleep; you can hear surrounding noises but unless important, they can be relegated into the background and become unintrusive.

Can I respond to an emergency?

Yes, if something untoward occurs you can ‘wake’ immediately although usually it is more comfortable to come back to the here and now more gradually, usually by counting e.g. from five to one.

What about stage hypnosis?

Stage hypnotists are expert in fast assessment of good hypnotic subjects. Anyone who volunteers is expecting to comply with stupid suggestions either to give their friends a laugh or for some other reason. Once on stage the pressure to comply is very great even without hypnosis being induced. Unfortunately stage hypnotists do not screen for medical or psychological contra-indications to hypnosis and are not always careful to remove post hypnotic suggestions from their subjects or from susceptible members of the audience.