What is Hypnotherapy and How Does it Differ From Hypnosis?

Hypnosis 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, more confident, a non-smoker. Whatever it is that you want to be!

1. What do you want your life to be like in a year’s time? Make your answer as compelling as possible – what do you really want it to be like?

2. What changes will you need to make for this to happen? Don’t just think logically. What changes will you have to make in the WAY that you think?

3. Could anything negative happen if you do make these changes? In other words, how much do you really want it?

How about committing to spending the rest of today thinking over these exciting questions but not actually being aware that you are doing so? Does this sound a bit strange? It shouldn’t, because that’s what people do when they are described by others as ‘preoccupied’ or ‘stressed’ or ‘anxious’. This deeper level of thinking is the level at which hypnotherapy or self-hypnosis can have proven effects.

Many people claim that they have never been hypnotised, but they do admit to having drifted off whilst thinking about a loved one, forgetting large chunks of a car journey (commonly known as highway hypnosis), or ‘going somewhere else’ while reading a book. These are all examples of natural trance states. One of the great things about hypnosis is that in the hands of a reputable practitioner it is harmless and produces no damaging side effects, whilst providing positive therapeutic benefits.

What Does Hypnotherapy Involve?

Hypnotherapy is a two way process between the therapist and the client, a professional partnership. A person cannot be hypnotised unless he or she agrees and co-operates – this cannot be stressed enough. Also whilst hypnotised, nobody can make you do anything which you do not want to do. Even those people on television eating raw onions and pretending to be Madonna are doing it because they want to! They have chosen to participate. It must be emphasised here that what hypnotherapists do is, by definition, therapeutic. Stage hypnosis is very different. It is a form of entertainment.

A Hypnotherapist’s Job is to Help People

The first stage of a hypnotherapy consultation will generally involve an informal chat and some questions from the therapist to ascertain the nature of the issue and the necessary route to overcoming or dealing with it. The next stage is hypnosis.

You are led, by means of the hypnotherapist’s gently guiding voice, into a state where your body and mind are relaxed and nearly asleep. To an onlooker it might seem as if you were totally asleep but in fact, though you will normally feel very relaxed, you will remain awake enough to be aware. Also awake will be those parts of your mind which the therapist is working with to induce beneficial changes. This may mean that you will be picturing, as in a daydream, the things which are being spoken of and that you may experience the associated pleasant feelings.

The hypnotist merely helps you to use that incredible hidden power to achieve things in your life such as stopping smoking, losing weight, cutting down on stress, gaining in confidence and happiness, even excelling at your chosen sport.

Self hypnosis is one of the most powerful things you can ever learn and a skilled hypnotherapist can teach you self hypnosis quickly and easily. You may also find our range of self-hypnosis tapes and cds helpful as well as our free self-hypnosis ‘how to’ guide.

Free Guide to Self-Hypnosis – Learn Self-Hypnosis Free
Methods of self-hypnosis range from listening to relaxation tapes to simply clearing your mind of thoughts and worries. Here is a step-by-step free guide to self-hypnosis, using one approach you may find helpful. Many hypnotherapists encourage their clients to learn self-hypnosis.

You can learn self hypnosis free with our free audio hypnosis course.

Please note that self-hypnosis should never be practiced when driving, operating machinery or carrying out any other activity that requires your full attention.

What do you want to achieve?

Always be clear and specific about your goals and write them down before you begin your hypnosis. Writing down what it is you want to achieve or change can really help you to straighten things out in your mind and goals can suddenly look more realistic, specific and focused. Keep it short and keep it achievable. Stick to one or two goals only in a single session.

Write out a plan

Plan what you want to say from beginning to end. You can write out a detailed script to follow as part of your preparation.

Repeat your goals

Write several different suggestions for each goal, expressing the same goal in different ways. This will reinforce the suggestion and ensure that it is accepted into the unconscious mind.

Create your own vision for your success

Develop your own imagery and symbols for supporting and visualising your goals. Imagine yourself achieving whatever you wish to. Make it real, like a memory but in the future.

Make it personal

Use language and images which reflect your own experience. We all have our own memories and experiences of the world, and speak to ourselves in our own language. Put your suggestions into your own words and use images you are familiar with.

Use your voice

Begin the session in your normal voice at a relaxed pace. As the session progresses, slow down and soften your voice so that as you enter hypnosis, you are speaking softly, and at a slower pace than when you began. Your voice can return to normal at the end of the session as you leave hypnosis.

Make yourself comfortable

Find a place that is quiet, comfortable and free from disturbance to practice self-hypnosis. You certainly must not be driving or in any other situation where your immediate attention is required. Soft music and lighting may help but we would not recommend the burning of candles.

Relax

Use deep breathing and relaxation techniques to prepare for entering hypnosis. Just focus internally and start to notice whatever you notice. This is not a time for judging, analysing, criticising or worrying. Notice your thoughts and feelings and assume that very soon they will just drift away – they are really not necessary at the moment. Allow your mind to become calmer and clearer.

Count yourself down

Use ‘deepeners’ in your hypnosis script, such as going down a staircase or an elevator, or floating down a stream, to help yourself go deeper into your hypnosis. Count down in your mind as you go deeper into relaxation. At times there will be inner resistance to relaxation especially when you first start to practice self hypnosis. Just be aware of it and let it go…It will!

Create an inner world

Spend some time in your own special place. Create your own magical place in your mind, maybe somewhere you know, maybe just an imagined paradise. This can be a place where you feel safe and relaxed and anything is possible. Use all of your senses – what can you see, hear, feel, smell and taste? Make this experience as vivid as you can, again, you will get much better with practice.

Make it easier next time

Towards the end of your trance, include some post-hypnotic suggestions for re-entering self-hypnosis next time you practice.

Count yourself back

At the end of your session, count yourself back to full awareness. Suggest to yourself that when you leave hypnosis you will feel refreshed and alert. Check that you are once again fully awake and alert and enjoy the rest of the day!
You can, if you wish, make your own self-hypnosis tapes from your scripts. This can be a good way to enter hypnosis and make changes you have already planned, without the need to remember your script as you enter trance.