What is hypnosis?

What is hypnosis and hypnotherapy.... what actually happens during hypnosis and how it differs from meditation. Here are some of  most common questions & answers around hypnosis. Contact us if you have a question 

What is hypnosis & hypnotherapy?

A good definition for hypnosis is, that it is a state of mind, a state of consciousness where you move yourself into relaxed meditative, calm state and when we are in this state we can often still talk, feel, taste smell all our senses are still there - but we quieten our conscious mind. Our conscious mind is that busy, overthinking, rational part of our mind.

Self-hypnosis is simply taking yourself into a calm relaxed state, calm your busy mind and make positive statements to yourself.

What are some of the most common misconceptions about hypnotherapy?

One myth is hypnotherapy is a form of brain washing or mind control. That it’s a form of magic, and you will do things or say things you don’t want to reveal about yourself. People can be unsure about what to expect during a hypnotherapy session, and it is of course a very individual experience.

However, most of us have already been in a hypnotic state at some point in our life. Have you ever gone into a relaxed, zoned out state say when watching your favourite TV show, or reading a book and you are completely absorbed in the story, or listening in depth to a audio or podcast, you just zone out lost in the moment, these are examples of a being in a hypnotic state. A completely normal, natural state of mind.

What’s happening is you are in a state of mind where you are lost in the moment and fixated, so all other stimuli is blocked out. When we are in this state we can have a greater control over our mind and our body, because we aren’t thinking in the traditional sense, you tune out to your worries and doubts, about your job, your finances, your to do list, your relationships / family concerns, these concerns they all fade away as you just focus on the show/movie etc. What’s very important is that in this state, you are also highly suggestible, and that is where the role of the hypnotherapist comes in, their role is to be a skilled coach or therapist that guides you into this relaxed state to then make therapeutic suggestions to your unconscious mind using the your words and language patterns, aligned with your change / new goals.

Through hypnosis we bypass the ‘conscious’ mind (or the busy mind) and tap into the unconscious mind to make positive changes to thought patterns and habits, that are having a negative impact on our life. e.g. sleeping better, less stress or anxiety, achieving business goals, or improved performance in sport.

Is hypnotherapy a substitute for medical care. ?

It should not be seen as hypnotherapy VS. modern medicine, that is a foolish approach. Personally, for me I have seen the power of hypnotherapy for a cancer patient during chemotherapy and fertility with IVF treatment. I used hypnotherapy with my IVF treatment, and I believe the combination was pivotal for my success. I would never disregard modern medicine, I encourage people to see hypnotherapy as a complimentary therapy. There is also some incredible research coming out to about the benefits of hypnotherapy in pain management.

Can a hypnotist make you do anything they want?

Hypnotherapists would be very rich if this was true. A hypnotherapists role is to be your coach, to communicate with your unconscious mind and to make the changes YOU want in your life. A great example is - the smoker that seeks hypnotherapy but is only there because their family has nagged them and even booked the appointment for them – hypnotherapy may not be successful for them, because they still want this behaviour. For hypnotherapy to be most successful you must want the goal or change.

Can hypnotherapists make you do embarrassing acts or confess your secrets?

You will always have your own moral compass. A hypnotherapist is trained coach and facilitator, and technically all hypnosis is self-hypnosis, you can’t make someone do something they morally don’t want to do. Hollywood and stage/performance hypnosis is a performance and unfortunately has given the therapy an unfair reputation. That’s why I always look to the emerging neuroscience research as it gives science behind what is happening.

How is hypnotherapy different to meditation?

Meditation (there is a wide variety of meditation techniques ) however in general it focuses on clearly the mind and being in the moment, which has incredible health benefits for de-stressing and mindfulness. Hypnotherapy takes it the next step in that we aim for relaxation in that meditative state, as well as having a positive goal we want to move towards, e.g. Eating heathier, engaging with others in a more confident and calmer way, presenting to our work colleagues, so it’s a combination of de-stressing and identity (seeing ourselves in a different more positive light) and that’s what's always appealed to me. That it’s incredibly calming and also goal-orientated, moving you forward in your life.

Are there any side effects with hypnotherapy?

Never drive or operate any kind of machinery whilst listening to any hypnotic audios or performing self -hypnosis.

CLAIRE ARISTIDES

Clinical Hypnotherapist & Founder of Mindology.app