Frequently asked questions
There are many mistaken beliefs about hypnosis and hypnotherapy. We have explained some of the more frequently asked questions below and would be happy to talk to you if you have any additional questions or concerns.
WHAT HAPPENS IN A HYPNOTHERAPY SESSION?
To work successfully with a therapist requires good rapport with the patient/client. This involves the therapist encouraging the client to talk about his or her concerns, agreeing aims of therapy and providing a feeling of safety, and security. You will be asked to sign a consent form agreeing to clinical hypnotherapy before any treatment starts. All information you share with our therapists is respected and treated in the strictest confidence.
The experience is different for everyone, but you will always feel pleasantly relaxed and comfortable. Provided you are willing to be hypnotised, then you can be hypnotised – some people respond better than others, but the great majority respond very well
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There are many different ways of achieving trance state. Usually, you will be comfortable on a chair or couch and the therapist talks to you in a slow and soothing voice. You may be asked to imagine or visualise walking down a path, or stare at a fixed point or listen to the sound of the therapist's voice and suggestions for relaxation may be given. To deepen the trance, the therapist may count you down from 10 to 1 or ask you to imagine walking down a flight of stairs. You will feel very relaxed but still be aware of your surroundings. Subsequently, various approaches to therapy may be introduced including the use of affirmations. To return to full consciousness, which you can do all by yourself at any time, the therapist may count up from 1 to 10. Afterwards you will feel revitalised and refreshed.
WILL I LOSE CONTROL OF MYSELF?
No, there is no loss of control. Hypnosis allows clients to be more focused and more skilful in using their own mental abilities constructively. In this way, they can achieve their goals more easily, and consequently, actually achieve more (not less) control of
their personal comfort, health, and well-being.
You will be deeply relaxed (not asleep) and will be aware of what is happening throughout the whole session – you will be able to open your eyes and stop the session at any point if you want to. You may feel a sense of drifting or dreaminess, but also heightened awareness in which your attention is focused more internally.
The aim of clinical hypnosis is for you to take back control that may have been lost resulting in the symptom or problem. Nobody can be hypnotised against their will and even when hypnotised, you will remain in complete control and aware of what is happening. The hypnotherapist’s role is to help you to gain more control of your own mind which will be open to positive suggestion, but equally, it will reject anything it does not agree with.
Unlike stage hypnotism (when someone volunteers to be hypnotised by a stage hypnotist, there is an expectation that they will be entertained, and the person is willing to allow this to happen), you will not say or do anything that you do not want to. It is impossible to get stuck in a hypnotic trance – you will be able to open your eyes at any time during the session
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Hypnotherapy is approved by the British Medical Association and used within the NHS and is safe with no known side effects. However, hypnotherapy should not be used on those suffering from psychosis, schizophrenia and some other conditions but we can advise you on these as required.
Our practitioners are all trained by the London College of Clinical Hypnosis and are members of the British Society of Clinical Hypnosis.
CAN I GET STUCK OR TRAPPED IN THE HYPNOTIC STATE?
No. At any time a client can re-alert or choose to ignore suggestions. No one stays hypnotized indefinitely - you will always "come out" of trance within a short time.
WHAT DO I DO NEXT?
For a free initial consultation email: