If you’ve never experienced hypnotherapy before, you may have a lot of questions about what it is (and what it isn’t) and what you can expect if you book sessions with me.
What is solution focused Hypnotherapy?
Hypnosis is the process of guiding you into a place where you can receive the benefits of hypnotherapy. Contrary to popular belief, hypnosis isn’t something that’s done to you (more on this later!). I specialise in Solution Focused Hypnotherapy, which can bring a wealth of benefits for my clients. Solution Focused Hypnotherapy focuses on the future (rather than the past). We don’t dwell on what has brought you to hypnotherapy – we’re much more concerned about how to move forwards and achieve the change you want. During Solution Focused Hypnotherapy, we work together to find solutions to your goals (hence the “solution” part of the name!). It will often involve talking therapy as well as hypnosis. But whereas talking therapy links to the conscious part of the brain, hypnotherapy works on the subconscious and this is why it’s so effective for creating lasting positive change. Understanding how the brain works can be absolutely crucial in adopting new ways to think and behave
What can hypnotherapy be used for?
Hypnotherapy can be very effective for addressing a wide range of different problems. The magic comes from accessing the subconscious part of the brain, which is where our thoughts, habits and behaviours are formed. Change can happen in a relatively short time frame if you’re committed to achieving a different outcome. Hypnotherapy can “rewire” the brain to create positive thoughts and patterns of behaviour. This can have benefits in so many areas, including:
- Reducing anxiety
- Improving sleep patterns
- Improving self-confidence
- Reducing the severity of skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis
- Managing long-term conditions such as IBS and fibromyalgia
- Encouraging weight loss and breaking the cycle of emotional eating
- Breaking bad habits such as smoking, biting your nails or hair pulling
- Improving your performance in interviews or while playing sports
- Overcoming fears and phobias
- Overcoming trauma and PTSD
- Managing pain and changing your perception of pain (including during and after surgery and during childbirth)
Stress and anxiety can be at the heart of so many of the things that bring people to hypnotherapy. Because it works on the subconscious mind, hypnotherapy can be very powerful for turning things around. If you’d like to read more about the many studies that have shown how effective hypnotherapy can be, you can see details here.
What to expect during hypnotherapy sessions
You will go into a trance during hypnotherapy and this is exactly the same kind of trance that you naturally enter into numerous times per day – when you’re daydreaming or when you’re watching television, for example. It’s completely natural and nothing to fear. It’s merely a state of deep focus and is a lovely moment of relaxation. It’s very different to the stage hypnosis you may have seen! The idea that you have no power at all is a complete myth. Even the people who take part in stage hypnosis aren’t actually being controlled. They’re simply very open to suggestions and are selected as participants on that basis. One thing to know about hypnotherapy – you’re always aware and always in control. I can’t make you do something that you don’t want to do. I can’t make you cluck like a chicken or lose control in any way. Just as you can easily bring yourself out of a trance when you’re daydreaming, the same applies in hypnotherapy. Your subconscious mind is very open to positive suggestions but you’re never being controlled.
It’s not a miracle solution
Hypnotherapy can work incredibly well but it’s not a magic wand. If you’re not truly ready to move towards change, your mind won’t take positive suggestions on board and you won’t start to “rewire” your brain. As the client, you have to be ready and willing to change and fully prepared to work towards the new thought processes and behaviours that we’ll be working on. But when that is the case, the results can be nothing short of amazing!
Hypnotherapy is relaxing and enjoyable
Hypnotherapy is non-invasive and very safe. It’s also highly relaxing and my clients always tell me what an enjoyable experience it is. They’ve even told me that it’s a lot like a massage for the brain! For more information on how we can train your brain so you can think and behave differently, you can contact me on 0786 2255131 or e-mail me at Adele@hypnotherapyloungeleeds.com
