Hypnotherapy - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a state of altered, heightened awareness – one of relaxation and concentration – during which our subconscious mind is more open and receptive to suggestions that are given. We drift in and out of different levels of awareness many times a day, absorbing information on a subliminal level as well as consciously. Your hypnotherapist will work with your imagination to help you to achieve your goals. Hypnosis is a non-addictive power for good and is a natural manifestation of the mind at work.
Q. How does it feel to be hypnotised?
Everyone is different. Some people say that their body feels like a lead weight, others say they feel as though they're floating away. Most people will agree that it's a lovely feeling because they are more relaxed that they have ever been before.
Q. Can I be hypnotised against my will?
No, anyone can resist and it won't work. Hypnosis is co-operation between two people - your therapist will show you the way, and you can choose if you want to go there or not.
Q. When I am 'under', will I be asleep?
You will be aware of everything that is happening and being said the whole time. However, you may be so deeply relaxed that you may find yourself drifting into different levels of awareness. Remember, your subconscious mind is active throughout and it is this that your therapist is working with. When using Regression Therapy, you will actually be talking.
Q. Will I remember everything afterwards?
Generally most people do remember either everything or certain parts of the experience. You will find that suggestions which have been given to you in hypnosis will resurface in your conscious, thinking mind after your hypnosis, and these will be the thoughts that produce changes in your behaviour or way of thinking and feeling.
Q. Will I give away any secrets whilst I am hypnotised?
No, you won't say or do anything at all that you don't want to. If you were given suggestions that you didn't morally agree with you would come out of hypnosis.
Q. How do I know I will wake up from hypnosis?
No-one has ever remained in hypnosis indefinitely - the worst that would happen is that you would probably fall asleep. Even if something were to happen to the Hypnotherapist halfway through the session, you would still 'come out' of the trance state once rapport had been broken.
Q. Are there any side effects from hypnosis?
The only side effects are the beneficial ones of feeling more relaxed afterwards and feeling more positive about whatever it was you sought hypnotherapy for. Hypnosis is a perfectly natural state.
Q. Do I have to remember forgotten things from my past in order to recover from my problem?
Not necessarily; different therapists have varied approaches, but if the cause of your problem is a repressed memory or emotion (ones that you are unable to remember consciously), then bringing it back into conscious awareness can help you to view the problem from a different perspective and so feel differently about it.
Q. What is the difference between mainstream psychoanalysis and Age Regression/Analytical Therapy?
Psychoanalysis gives a complete explanation of a complicated behaviour pattern. It deals with the material of the unconscious mind, which, through special and time-consuming techniques, is brought into the patient's consciousness so that they can deal with it.
Age Regression Therapy has some similarities in that it reveals the cause of a patient's particular reaction to a given set of circumstances. It deals with awareness below the level of consciousness. Regression is a speedier method of therapy. It is the difference between a broad plateau and a pin-point analysis. A complete psychoanalysis will take time – years in some cases. Hypno-Analysis Regression takes just hours and for most people is perfectly adequate.
Q. I went to a hypnotherapist once before and it didn't work. Does this mean I'm not able to be hypnotised?
The most common reason for failure to induce 'trance' is lack of rapport. To overcome this problem, make a few free initial consultations with different therapists and choose one that you instinctively trust.
Only see a registered
therapist whom you trust and feel comfortable with. Don't necessarily go with
the cheapest as it often is false economy. Avoid most part-time therapists; they
don't do anyone any favours. All too often they are poorly trained, lacking in
knowledge and know nothing of hypno-psychotherapy.
I
know this because I see the postings on the internet newsgroups, and the naivety
of their questions on how to treat the simplest of things is worrying.
Call me for a free, without-obligation consultation on 0121 707 3588.