Clinical Hypnotherapy is safe and effective therapy that is able to bring about deep and long-lasting changes in a relatively short time to improve patients' lives and well-being.
In a hypnotic trance, suggestions are more readily accepted by the subconscious mind which is where the majority of issues reside and which is why the patient may be unaware of how to resolve them, possibly they are completely unaware of the reason why they feel as they do. Hypnosis works with the unconscious mind so that positive changes can take place at a fundamental level. As hypnosis gives access to the subconscious mind in a way that many of the cognitively based talking therapies cannot do, factors affecting behaviour, perceptions and feelings that may be out of conscious awareness can be retrieved, understood and dealt with. Sometimes these factors never enter consciousness but, through hypnotherapy, can be treated so the patient the patient feels better but may not know how or why.
The range of conditions that respond to hypnotherapy is very wide and expanding as research into the hypnotic trance state is continually being carried out. However, many people still associate hypnosis with stopping smoking and weight control but these form a minor part of treatments given; a list of some of the problems that hypnotherapy has been shown to help can be found below.
Whilst Clinical Hypnotherapy is able to deal with events that have their root in the past, the initial strategy is generally to change behaviour in the future and past events are investigated using hypnoanalysis if that is shown to be required. As well as dealing with psychologically based issues, clinical hypnotherapy has value in other areas such as the field of pain control, including that experienced during childbirth, it being possible to completely anæsthetise a part of the body.
The nature of the trance state has been, and continues to, be investigated giving rise to the publication of several scientific papers each year; modern brain scanners have shown changes in the blood flow within the brain under hypnosis. The British Medical Association officially recognised the beneficial effects of hypnotherapy in 1955 and the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has recognised its efficacy by advocating its use for IBS.
Clinical Hypnotherapy is very powerful in itself, and becomes more so when other techniques such as Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Ego State Therapy and some NLP techniques are combined with it to produce an eclectic therapy that draws from several disciplines to best fit each patient's needs as their therapy progresses. EMDR provides a powerful and effective treatment for recent and past trauma arising from assault, rape, other violence, accidents and experiences encountered in public service including the Armed Forces and Medical and Emergency Services etc
What happens in trance?
The trance state is different for everyone and, for each person may be different on different days. The hypnotic trance is usually a very relaxing state which patients enjoy, but it is its power to produce changes at a deep level that makes it so effective.
During the entire process you will remain in control; you will normally hear, and be aware of, everything that is being said although you may or may not remember it afterwards. You will not reveal information that you wish to keep private nor can you be made to do anything you do not wish to do.
As part of the treatment, most patients are taught self-hypnosis, a skill that can be used throughout life. Prior to entering hypnosis, each patient is given more information and is invited to ask any questions about the proposed treatment.
How can I get further information or make an appointment?
I usually like to speak to patients prior to making an appointment to ensure that hypnotherapy is the appropriate route to take for them and invite you to contact me directly by telephone on 01524 35587, by e-mail (info@hedgeshypnosis.co.uk) or via my personal website.
Can I be hypnotised?
Over 99% of patients I have treated entered a satisfactory hypnotic trance. One or two whose anxiety level prevented them from entering trance did so after non-hypnotic techniques were employed to decrease the anxiety.
Some of the areas where Clinical Hypnotherapy can be employed
(not exhaustive so call/e-mail me with your particular request if it is not listed here)