Are you skeptical about hypnosis?

You are right to be. There is much mis-information about hypnosis and hypnotherapy which would make anyone question what it actually is, and I would like to dispel the myths and establish the facts.

Firstly, hypnosis is the same as the normal, natural state we all go into on a dailiy basis, which day dreaming or zoning-out for a few seconds. You cannot get stuck in that state; it is completely natural and part of healthy functioning to do this.

When we deliberately use relaxation and techniques to focus and calm the mind, we call the state hypnosis.

That's all. Nothing else. Hypnosis is not sleep, or mind control: you cannot be made to do anything you do not want to do. (Bear in mind, with stage hypnosis the people on stage have volunteered, and are therefore the people who are up for a laugh and willing to perform on that occasion!)

Hypnotherapy is the practice of combining positive suggestions through language and visualisation in the relaxed, imaginative state of state of mind that we call hypnosis, in order to help a person achieve their goals in life.

Hypnosis is nothing new; it is really an assimilation of techniques used accross many disciplines and cultures throughout human history. However the modern professional hypnotherapist has a highly effective tool kit available which includes a range of techniques to help a client create lasting postive changes in their thinking and behaviours.

Three factors are required for the hypnotherapy to be successful:

1. The person seeking help must have a goal for change
2. There must be a sufficient level of rapport between therapist and client to enable the client to fully respond to the help being offered
3. And lastly, the hypnotherapist must be using methods appropriate to the clients' needs

Modern professional hypnotherapy covers a wide range of methodologies and it is not always easy for a lay person to make an informed choice.

How do I choose the right hypnotherapist for me?