what is hypnosis?
Mystery and Myths of Hypnosis
Often people are sceptical or nervous about coming for hypnotherapy, because of the mystery and myths that surround hypnosis.
There's really no mystery, because hypnosis, or trance, is a very natural state of mind for all of us.
It can best be described as a state of relaxed attention. You will feel very relaxed and at the same time very aware. It’s very like the state of mind that we feel just before we fall asleep. We often see children in trance, and describe this as daydreaming. The subconscious is off on a journey of it's own. We are at our most creative in this state. Our ‘critical faculty’ is turned down, so our mind is free to wander without fear.
“Research studies have looked at how the brain responds to hypnotic suggestion. What it shows is that activity in the area of our brain The Default Mode Network or DMN) that is usually responsible for worrying, ruminating or overthinking, slows right down. Activity in the areas responsible for focused attention and prioritising where to place our attention (the Salience Network and Executive Control Network (ECN) increases. We are able to pay attention to what matters because our attention is drawn away from the problems that occupy us in everyday life. ”
During hypnosis, our internal chatter quietens, and focus becomes more attentive.
It's this state of mind that allows a therapist to make suggestions for the benefit of the client. The client is ALWAYS in control, and contrary to what stage hypnotists would have us believe, hypnosis can't be used to make you do anything you don't want to do.
In trance - or hypnosis - your mind can wander to wherever it chooses. It’s an enjoyable and transformative state of mind.
A hypnotherapist uses hypnosis to reinforce the things the client wants to change.
During a session of Solution Focused Hypnotherapy, we’ll spend some time discovering what changes you would like to see in the coming week or weeks. I’ll be gathering your language and looking for the things that really motivate you.
Once we have a destination and rich picture of how you want things to be, I’ll invite you to rest back and using my voice, I’ll help you into a hypnotic state of mind where I’ll use what we’ve discussed to reinforce the pathways towards your goals. It’s a simple, enjoyable and transformative process where clients often see results very quickly.
It’s normal to leave my sessions feeling calm, hopeful and optimistic. You’ll be able to drive home, and you’ll begin to notice changes even after one session.
“I will not lie, I was very nervous about hypnosis as I thought it would be a complete loss of control of my body and having PTSD that is the last thing that I wanted. However Sally was so supportive and answered all the questions I had to reassure me and the experience was nothing like what I originally thought.
The biggest difference I noticed was after the first session. I was struggling to leave my room and anxiety would set in when I tried too. However my mind responded really well to hypnosis and after that first session the anxiety of the actual motion to leave was relieved and its like it just disappeared. ”
