How does Hypnosis & Hypnotherapy work?

Even though hypnosis derives its name from the word sleep (the Greek for sleep was called ‘Hypnos’) Hypnosis is actually a state of heightened awareness. When we are in a deep state of relaxation, it is thought that our unconscious (or subconscious) mind becomes more receptive to positive to suggestion. This means that when a hypnotherapist invites you into this lovely calm and relaxed state and uses suggestion techniques, your thought patterns and behaviours can be encouraged to change. Thus a 40 a day smoker can easily never want or need to smoke again, or someone who has previously been highly anxious about flying, now finds themselves, relaxed, calm and indeed looking forward to their holiday!

However, there are a few myths and misconceptions surrounding hypnotherapy.  Let us put your mind at rest.

1. The hypnotherapist will be able to make me do things I don’t want to do.

Clients can sometimes have this fear because they’ve seen stage or TV hypnosis, but this certainly isn’t the case. Stage hypnotists set the scene for these amusing antics and invite volunteers to get up on stage; when someone does this, they are accepting their role. Indeed, only certain personally types can quickly be influenced to perform in this way.

In hypnosis, a person will be more open to suggestion and therefore able to change patterns of behaviour that are unhelpful, but no one can make you do anything you don’t want to do.

2. Hypnotherapists can control your mind.

Hypnosis is not mind control! During your session, your hypnotherapist will make positive suggestions to your subconscious mind, these suggestions will be for your benefit, and therefore will be accepted by the subconscious mind. Hypnosis is a fantastic way to bring about positive change in your life.

3. If I get hypnotised, I won’t remember anything from the session.

It’s completely normal for your mind to wander while in hypnosis. Because your therapist will be talking to your subconscious mind, it is of no importance what your conscious mind chooses to think about during your session. Therefore, client’s memories of the session can vary. Mostly though, clients report enjoying the session more than they believed they would, and often feel as like they have had a good nights, relaxed sleep after a session.

4. If I get put into a state of hypnosis, I may not come out of it.

Hypnosis is a completely natural state that we all drift in and out of throughout the day. Everyone has the ability to take themselves out of the hypnotic state – this can be done simply by opening your eyes! Think of driving your car from point A to point B. Often, on a journey, we can’t remember driving past a particular place or landmark.  We know though, that we were safe and could react immediately should anything untoward happen. If a session is interrupted and the hypnotherapist isn’t there to “talk you back”, you will eventually drift back to awareness anyway, a little like waking up from a nice nap.

5. Hypnotherapy works like magic.

Sometimes it might seem so! When your therapist communicates with your unconscious mind, change can happen quickly and easily. However, hypnotherapy is a collaborative process between you and your therapist, and so requires a little effort on your part, and a desire to change on your part.

6. Only the “weak-willed” can be hypnotised.

Let’s recap what hypnosis really is. Hypnosis is a state of focused, heightened, awareness. It’s similar to the state experienced when you’re absorbed in a creative task or sport. It could therefore be argued that those who are very strong willed are actually better hypnotic subjects. Indeed, many great creators such as Thomas Edison, and Mozart used to put themselves into a hypnotic state to further their creativity.

Hypnotherapy is such a widely used treatment method that many famous actors and athletes today also use it. This includes the United States White Sox baseball team and the Swiss ski team who both hire a full-time hypnotherapist for their teams. Many famous people use hypnotherapy to help them achieve their goals including Actor Orlando Bloom (weight loss), actor Bruce Willis, professional golfer Tiger Woods (fear of public speaking), and Princess Kate Middleton (Hypnobirthing). Others include Sophie Dahl (model), Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, Lily Allen (singer) and actor Ewan McGregor to name but a few.