About Hypnosis/Hypnotherapy
 
Hypnosis has been used for thousand of years and is one of the oldest healing methods and self- help programs known to civilization. Today hypnosis is used in major hospitals around the world, by professional sports coaches, celebrities and other professionals. Hypnosis is a natural yet altered state of consciousness in which the critical faculty (your inner chatter) has been relaxed and selective or focused thinking is established. Unbeknown to most of us we find ourselves in this state more often than we think. Whenever we are so captivated by a task that we lose track of time or when we read a book and are transported to another time and place, we are in an altered state. It is a state of mind where our subconscious and conscious communicate together and are able to find solutions. During a hypnotherapy session I assist you to silence that critical faculty so that you have access to your most powerful part of the mind, the subconscious mind. It stores all our memories, emotions and beliefs. Most unsuccessful attempts to change patterns of thought or behaviour focus on the conscious mind where simply only temporary changes can be achieved.

With the aid of specific therapeutic techniques habits get broken, negative emotions released and outdated beliefs transformed.

In addition, the subconscious controls your bodily functions and therefore hypnotherapy also brings about beneficial physical changes.

Here is a brief description of some of the techniques I use to assist you:

Suggestion Therapy: It is the basis of all therapeutic work.

Core Transformation: This technique is used to change the very things we do not like about ourselves.

Parts Therapy: Mostly used to break habits, maladaptive behaviours and to let go of psychosomatic illnesses.

Mind and Body Solution: Often used for stress, uneasiness, anxiety and physical sensations

Transforming Therapy™: A therapy that uses age regression, gestalt dialogue and other techniques to transform false beliefs. Very profound and truly transforming.

Metaphor Modelling: Ideal to engage the creative subconscious for problem solving, healing and goal setting.

 

Questions and Answers

Can I be hypnotized?
Anyone who wants to be hypnotized can be hypnotized. If you want to experience hypnosis all you need to do is follow some simple instructions and be an active participant. All hypnosis is self hypnosis.
However some people enter hypnosis more easily than others. People who can quickly shut out external stimuli and easily shift thinking strategies from the left brain hemisphere to the right enter hypnosis more easily.
 
Will I be asleep or unconscious?
No. Most people expect hypnosis to be like sleep or think to "go under" for a while, and then wake up without remembering anything.   That's not the case.   You hear everything, remember everything, and know exactly what's happening the entire time. In fact all therapy requires communication between the therapist and client.
 
Can I be controlled in hypnosis?
No. While in hypnosis, you are in control the entire time. You won't do anything in a hypnotic state that you would not find acceptable in your normal awaking state. In fact if a suggestion is made that is against your beliefs, values and morals you simply return to you normal state of awareness.
 
Are there any side effects?
No. Hypnosis is natural and safe. You will be very relaxed afterwards. Every 15 minutes of hypnosis is equivalent to approximately 2 hours of sleep.
 
Can I get stuck in hypnosis?
No one has ever gotten stuck. It simply cannot happen. If the hypnotist left the room, or if you were listening to a tape and the power went out, you would either fall asleep and wake up naturally, or your subconscious mind would detect that there is no voice guiding you and bring you to conscious awareness.
 
Will I tell you anything I don't want to?
No. Hypnosis is not a truth serum so you will not divulge secrets. In fact, if you don’t want to be honest, you don’t have to. It wouldn’t be productive, but it’s always your choice.
 
Does it work?
Yes. A survey of psychotherapy literature by Alfred A. Barrios, Ph.D. revealed the following recovery rates:

Psychoanalysis:  38% recovery after 600 sessions
Behavior Therapy:  72% recovery after 22 sessions
Hypnotherapy:  93% recovery after 6 sessions
 
Hypnotherapy is effective and efficient and has no expiry date.

The three keys to success are:
  1. There needs to be a willingness and readiness for change and a strong belief by the client that change is possible or a goal can be achieved.
  2. The more motivated (really wants to let go or change) and committed the client is, the better the result
  3. The client needs to use repetition to reinforce the change. (Personalized CDs are very effective).
What does it feel like?
It just feels like you are daydreaming or when you are so absorbed by something that you forget your surroundings and time. We all experience it every night just before we fall asleep and our mind rests. Hypnosis however, is a very personal and individual experience as everyone has different levels of hypnosis. Some just feel completely relaxed and at peace. They are in an almost dream-like state. Others might even feel they are almost weightless or so heavy that they can’t move.

 

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