Hypnotherapy
There are many misconceptions regarding Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy, and before you embark on a treatment programme I will try to answer some of the questions that you may have:
Q. What is Hypnosis?
A. Hypnosis is a state of consciousness you enter and leave naturally all the time during your day-to day experiences. It feels very much like day dreaming, or the state between sleeping and waking. The therapist will assist you to reach this state in a relaxed and easily attainable way.
Q. How does it work?
A. While in this relaxed state, your conscious mind is still completely aware of what is going on throughout the session, but your subconscious is free to accept positive thoughts and ideas much more readily. This enables you to change fixed negative ideas into strong positive attitudes about yourself and your surroundings, and is the essence of Hypnotherapy.
Q. How long does it take to produce a result?
A. It depends on far too many factors to give a simple answer about this. There are cases where as few as one session will produce the desired result. This will be addressed in the initial free consultation and a program can be developed to suit the individual needs of the client. A responsible, properly trained therapist will never keep a client in therapy longer than necessary.
Q. How does Hypnosis feel?
A: Since everyone has experienced light levels of hypnosis at different times, don't be surprised if you don't feel hypnotized. All that is required to be hypnotized is a motivation to be hypnotized, concentration, imagination, relaxation, and the willingness to respond to suggestion. During hypnosis, you will always remain conscious of your surroundings.
Q: Will I go into a 'trance'?
A: The word 'trance' is not really a helpful term as it may bring up a picture of someone sitting glassy-eyed and barely conscious as if in a 1950's Sci-Fi film. The reality is a state of deep, peaceful and extremely pleasant relaxation. As I mentioned previously, you will remain in completely in control and should you wish to, you can easily terminate this state at any time.
Q. What is self-hypnosis?
Find out about Self Hypnosis here.
A. All hypnosis really begins with self-hypnosis. The therapist is very much the facilitator who helps you reach this state. A significant part of a hypnotherapy session would often include instruction on how to self-hypnotise effectively. The experience of self-hypnosis is not identical as that induced by a therapist, as with 'guidance' it is often easier to relax more quickly, but self-hypnosis is an extremely valuable method of increasing the effectiveness of the therapy.
Q: What if I have a problem with 'giving up control'?
A: Control is a big issue with a lot of people. You may have a misunderstanding that was borne out of seeing someone in a stage hypnosis show behaving in some ridiculous way. You may fear losing the memory of what happens during the session. Perhaps you still harbour some idea that you will have a difficult time returning to full waking consciousness. All of these ideas are related to the feeling that you might be giving up control in some way, and they are common misconceptions about hypnosis. If you approach hypnosis with an open mind and a belief that it will help you, you will soon demonstrate to yourself that you are not giving anything up at all - on the contrary, you are gaining a great deal. So allow yourself to relax, and enjoy the experience.
Q. Can people be made to do things they don't want to do when they are hypnotised?
A. You cannot actually 'make' anybody do anything in hypnosis. Hypnosis will not give anybody power over the person who is hypnotised. Any suggestion made under hypnosis that was in any way against the nature, moral code or will of the client would simply never work. In cases of treatment for smoking cessation for example, the results can be truly excellent, but only if the client genuinely wants to give up. If there is resistance, it will just not be effective.
Q. Can anybody be hypnotised?
A. It is very rare for someone to experience absolutely no change from their normal state, even if it is very slight. Certain individuals who insist that 'my mind is too strong for me to me hypnotised' are generally speaking with an anxiety around the subject. It is after all, quite easy to 'resist' being hypnotised and those who do not want to be simply will not be. There are other approaches that can be utilised in these cases, but ultimately, hypnotherapy is a 'partnership' between practitioner and client and if the client insists on not being helped, then there's not much that can be done.
Q: How does the medical community feel about hypnosis?
A: The American Medical Association recognized hypnosis as a "viable therapeutic modality" as early as the mid-1950s and in the UK hypnotherapy is now widely recognised therapy. Indeed, some GPs will refer smokers to a hypnotherapist as their first choice of smoking cessation methods, as well as for stress management and anxiety control.
Personally I generally see people seeking help with:
- stress management
- smoking cessation
- weight loss - Hypnodieting
- anxieties
- panic attacks
- phobias (fear of flying, spiders, etc)
- insomnia
- confidence, motivation, self esteem
- anger management
- irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- career and work matters
- memory and concentration problems
- exam and test 'nerves'
- stage and public speaking confidence
- pain control
I also run my specialist Hypnodieting (weight loss hypnotherapy) sessions at all my practices.
Q. Can you get 'stuck' in hypnosis?
A. Urban myth! (Possibly a suburban one too for that matter). It is simply impossible for this to occur. Occasionally, some people will fall into a deep sleep, but there are many straight-forward methods of waking them up. A "permanent" trance just can't happen.
Q: Will our session be confidential?
A: All treatment is carried out in accordance with a strict Professional Code of Ethics, and with complete client confidentiality and data security. My practice is also registered under the Data Protection Act.
Q. Where can I see you?
A. I have consulting rooms in many different locations for your convenience. These are in Highgate (Details Here) in North London, Radlett in Hertfordshire (Details Here); as well as in The City of London (Details Here).
Q. What are your fees?
A. Please refer to my Hypnotherapy Fees page
Q. How do I get in touch with you?
A. You are welcome to call my direct line: 0844 736 1438 at any time; or you can use the CONTACT page on the website. Remember that I am happy to provide a free initial consultation without any obligation where we can talk through your issues in complete confidence.
Paul Levrant is a Member of the NHS Directory of Complementary & Alternative Practitioners and is also a Visiting Lecturer at Roehampton University.
