What is Hypnosis ?

Hypnosis is an artificially induced state of relaxation or altered attention, characterised by heightened suggestibility.  It is a state of restful alertness, a person may experience deeply focused concentration. The person can be relatively unaware of, but not completely blind to, his or her surroundings, and he or she may be more open to suggestion. It is considered to be a type of complementary therapy.

Another way of understanding Hypnosis, is that it is an altered state of consciousness. It is not an unconcious state. The word Hypnosis comes from the Greek word hypnos meaning sleep. You are however not asleep you will instead be comfortably relaxed, so much so that if you wanted to get out of the chair you could, but you are so relaxed that you prefer to just enjoy the experience. Everything that is said by the Hypnotherapist will be heard and remembered unless there is a reason to block it out.

Your eyes will be comfortably closed allowing you to focus  attention on the words being spoken and the suggestions being made to assist  you to overcome your particular challenge.

Hypnosis has a number of uses in medicine. Hypnotically induced sleep, for example may assist the healing process, hypnotic suggestion ( Hypnotherapy ) may help in dealing with the symptoms of emotional and psychosomatic disorders. The actual term “hypnosis” was first used by James Braid ( 1795- 1860 ), a British physician and surgeon who was the first to regard it as a psychological phenomenon. The Scottish surgeon James Esdaile (1805-1859), working in India,is reported to have performed hundreds of operations in which he used hypnosis to induce analgesia ( insensitivity to pain) or general anaesthesia (total insensitivity). Freud and Jung used aspects of hypnosis in their psychotherapeutic methodologies.

 What is Hypnotherapy ?

Hypnotherapy is the application of clinical hypnosis as used within a therapeutic setting. It can be used to relieve stress-related conditions such as insomnia and hypertension, or to break health-damaging habits or addictions. It is also an effective method of modifying behaviour, overcoming self limiting beliefs and negative thinking. It  can be used as an adjunct to psychotherapy.

Applicable Conditions for Hypnotherapy –

Stress & related conditions, Performance anxiety, Phobias, Weight issues, Eating disorders, Pain control,Tension Headaches, Nail Biting, Enurises ( bed wetting ) Insomnia, Studies / integration, Driving Test anxiety, IBS, Guilt, Blushing, Stop Smoking ( one session ) Habit breaking, Teeth Grinding, Overcoming Self Limiting Beliefs, OCD, Anger, PTSD, Bereavement,Confidence Building. Sports Performance.

People cannot be hypnotised against their own will, it should be noted that even in a hypnotic state, people have the ability to reject any of the suggestions given in hypnosis if they are not appropriate.

Under certain circumstances it may be necessary to obtain permission to contact your G.P or Health care Professional before commencement of any treatment. There are a number of circumstances where hypnosis is not recommended. This is discussed during the intial consultation when a client questionnaire is completed prior to the first session.

You contact me at gordon@walker-hypnotherapy.co.uk