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WHAT IS HYPNOSIS?

Hypnosis offers a safe, simple and very effective way of accessing your own natural ability through your intuitive and resourceful subconscious mind to break unwanted patterns, achieve goals and significantly improve your quality of life.

Hypnosis is an altered state of awareness where you feel completely relaxed mentally, physically and emotionally. It is similar to daydreaming – you experience deep relaxation, while your mind is still alert to your physical sensations and surroundings.

Hypnosis is not a state of deep sleep as many people think. It does involve the induction of a trance-like condition, but when in it, the client is actually in an enhanced state of awareness, concentrating entirely on the hypnotist’s voice. In this state, the conscious mind is suppressed and the subconscious mind is revealed. The therapist is able to suggest ideas, concepts and lifestyle adaptations to the client so that they become firmly embedded.

Hypnosis has been practiced in various forms for thousands of years. Since the 1950s, medical associations have increasingly recognised the effectiveness of hypnosis as a valuable therapeutic tool. Today, hypnosis is one of the most well-researched and scientifically supported treatment tools for creating positive behavioural change. Hypnosis is used as a part of medical, psychological and dental treatments and is gaining popularity in that it allows permanent change to happen easily and effortlessly at a rapid pace.

Many people claim they have never been hypnotized, but they do admit to having drifted off whilst thinking about something, forgetting large chunks of a car journey, or daydreaming while reading a book. These are all examples of natural trance states.

During hypnosis your own abilities are enhanced. For example, you are better able to imagine, remember and use your creativity which all support creating positive changes. Hypnosis is safe and you are always in control. Clients find it a very pleasant and relaxing experience.

HOW DOES HYPNOSIS WORK?

Hypnosis works 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 by-passed and the subconscious mind awoken to deal directly with the subconscious intelligence. The concentration will be focused as opposed to noting normal distractions of the reasoning awake conscious mind. Muscles will be relaxed and most people feel a sense of floating or drifting. There is an increase in the acuity of the senses – hearing, touch, smell and feeling. Most people describe the experience of hypnosis as a pleasant, dreamlike state –“the most relaxed they have ever felt”.

As the subconscious mind is a deeper-seated, more instinctive force than the conscious mind, it is this part which has to change for the client’s behavior and physical state to alter. For example, a client who wants to overcome their fear of spiders may try everything they can, but as long as their subconscious mind retains this terror and prevents the client from succeeding, it will fail. Progress can only be made by reprogramming the subconscious so that deep-seated instincts and beliefs are changed.

CAN I BE HYPNOTISED AGAINST MY WILL?

Hypnotherapy is a two-way process between the therapist and the client. A person cannot be hypnotized unless they really want to be hypnotized and agrees and co-operates . No one can make you do anything that you do not want to do whilst under hypnosis. If a suggestion is made that you do not want, your mind will reject it.

HOW DO YOU FIND A GOOD HYPNOTHERAPIST?

Make sure that they are registered with a Professional body because it is this body’s responsibility to ensure that they are suitably qualified and experienced to offer their services. There are websites like the www.ahahypnotherapy.org.au that list professional Hypnotherapists according to their location in Australia.

ARE THERE LIMITATIONS USING HYPNOTHERAPY?

If you have serious emotional or physical problems you are advised to consult your physician or licensed mental health practitioner, as this is not a substitute for medical or mental health treatment. You are encouraged to share your experiences with your healthcare providers and I am happy to work together with your Physician to ensure a positive outcome.