Hypnosis is a naturally occurring state of mind which we experience regularly in our lives, such as when we are day-dreaming, perhaps while driving or doing the washing-up. Sometimes referred to as an altered state of awareness or trance-like state, it can be deeply relaxing and refreshing.

Hypnotherapy is a means of contacting our unconscious mind, and can be a powerful tool in helping us to realise our inner strength and potential. No one can be hypnotised if they do not choose to be, and while in hypnosis you are always in control.

Areas that can be helped by hypnotherapy include tension, stress and anxiety, phobias and fears, self-confidence, unwanted habits, panic attacks, addictions, depression, motivation, and our ability to be creative.

“Problems cannot be solved at the same level of awareness that created them.” Albert Einstein.

History:
Hypnotherapy is one of the oldest of all healing techniques. It has its roots in ancient Egyptian and Greek medicine, and later in the work of 18th century Dr Anton Mesmer, 19th century scientist Dr James Braid (who coined the word hypnosis) and the 20th century psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud. In 1955 the British Medical Association endorsed the practice of hypnosis in Medical School education. It is currently practised both within the NHS and in private practice, to treat a wide range of physical and psychological ailments.

“Nothing is either good or bad but thinking makes it so,” William Shakespeare.

Hypnosis is a subtly altered state of consciousness, enhanced by deep relaxation, in which the unconscious mind can be reached and communicated with effectively. Our everyday conscious mind may seem to be what drives us, but in reality, much of who we are is controlled by our more hidden unconscious drives and beliefs.

One of the major functions of the unconscious is to help us learn and remember important things that we then do automatically without thinking. Most of the time this works well for us. Unfortunately, sometimes we learn behaviours or self-beliefs which are unhelpful or even harmful to us. Luckily, new ‘instructions’ can be given to the unconscious mind under hypnosis which will have a strong effect when we are wakeful again. A trained hypnotherapist is able to use techniques which encourage healthy, positive change in a patient’s mental or physical state. These might include direct suggestions, metaphors, story-telling, visualisations, self-hypnosis and psychoanalytical techniques as appropriate.

Medical Uses:
Hypnotherapy can be used to treat a wide range of medical conditions from panic disorder, IBS and depression, to high blood pressure, chronic pain, psoriasis and insomnia. Hypnotherapy can also be used, when appropriate, to control acute pain, e.g. by reducing discomfort during childbirth, minor operations or dental work.

Lifestyle Changes:
Hypnotherapy also has an important role to play in life-style changes, from weight control and stress management, to stopping unwanted habits such as smoking or nail-biting, and tackling phobias such as fear of flying or specific animals. It’s never too late to change !

Personal development:
Last, but not least, hypnotherapy can be a powerful tool for personal development - helping to build self-confidence, improve relationships, perfect sports performance, beat writer’s block or simply feel more positive about your life. Your unconscious mind is a store house of hidden potentials.

The following are just some of the areas that hypnotherapy can work with: