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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I have provided some in depth answer to many aspects of Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy. If there is anything that is left unanswered for you, please contact me confidentially for any further information

What does Hypnosis feel like?

Hypnosis is a completely natural occurring state that we dip in and out of throughout the day. Two commonly recognised times are just before we fall asleep but are not yet asleep, and just before we wake up but are not yet awake. When you are aware of yourself and surroundings but are simply unconcerned by them. You may experience anything from feeling extremely relaxed, heavy, light, ‘floaty’, a tingling sensation in the hands, hands feeling large, unaware of your parts of your body, free from any stress, extremely aware, with heightened senses, more aware of your inner dialogue (chatter inside your head) or not. This Hypnotic state of relaxation, Hypnosis, is often referred to as a ‘trance’.

Other everyday trances

Highway Hypnosis

Daydreaming

Response Attentiveness

TV trance

Need I say more?

What is Hypnotherapy used for?

Hypnotherapy is used for working sensitively and confidentially with the client to assist them in achieving beneficial change, whilst helping address and release negative emotional feelings associated with anxieties, fears, limiting beliefs, past memories or trauma.

So, what can I expect from Hypnotherapy?

Clinical Hypnotherapy uses the state of Hypnosis for therapeutic purposes. It is used to treat a variety of medical, emotional, habitual and psychological problems. 85% of people will respond to Hypnosis and it can succeed where other more conventional methods of treatment have not worked, or have not produced the desired result. When carried out by a trained and qualified Hypnotherapist, the benefits can be long lasting and often permanent. It is natural and safe, with no harmful side effects. With a client case history gained and the presenting issues explored, counselling, goal setting, NLP (neuro linguistic programming), EFT (emotional freedom technique) and CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) techniques may be used and explored with the client along side Hypnosis.

How does Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy work?

In a waking state, we spend most of our time using our conscious mind. When the client is in hypnosis there is a direct communication to the subconscious mind. This is because the conscious mind, that busy, critical and analytical part is at rest and more passive. The Hypnotherapist will speak to the client and help them to explore the feelings they want support with, provide positive and beneficial suggestions to the client to help facilitate change. These will be personal, depending on each client’s presenting issues.

So, what is so special about Hypnosis?

Hypnotherapists will work in Hypnosis because most of our waking time we are using our conscious mind. This part is very important, it is the part that is aware of what is going on right now. Our choices and decisions are made here, it is responsible for; the rational and analytical perception we have in our day to day life, our will power and our temporary memory. However our subconscious mind is the largest and most powerful part of our mind and automatically controls our body functions. This part is responsible for our imagination, permanent memory, emotions and protection (protecting us from real dangers and imagined dangers, i.e. phobias and habits). In between our conscious and unconscious mind is what is know as our Critical Faculty. It acts as a safe guard, it is part of our conscious mind but controlled by our subconscious mind. Our critical factor's job is to protect us, but as ‘change’ can be a threat, most suggestions that don’t match the existing programming within us can simply get rejected, even when they are to better ourselves. That is why it is often hard to 'kick our habits' with will power alone. In Hypnosis, our conscious mind and critical faculty are calm and passive, we have the opportunity to bypass our critical factor to update old and non beneficial patterns of behaviour with positive suggestions. Strong emotions will always outweigh weaker ones. In Hypnosis we will encourage beneficial and helpful feelings and habits over the past negative ones.

It is not a tool for embarrassing or exploiting people. Nor is it a tool for making people do things they don’t want to do!

What if I am fearful about Hypnosis?

Of course, we may have fears when trying something new. This is especially true when our guage is what we may have seen on the television. A good stage Hypnotist uses some of the same skills as a Hypnotherapist, but purely for the purpose of entertainment. It is important to understand that it is not the timid, shy or nervous personalities that volunteer at a show and that those that do are open to entertaining, happy in front of a crowd and ready to please. Hypnosis cannot make people do something they don’t want to do, OR change people's core belief system. The Hypnotherapist will acknowledge your fears, misconceptions and answer any other questions you may have, this is considered an integral part of any initial consultation session, thus helping you understand the process and its uses. All hypnosis is self-hypnosis, because you allow yourself to experience, listen or learn more about your ability to relax, heal and make beneficial changes.

Will I feel out of control?

The client is always in control, so NO. You can expect to hear everything that is said and done within the session and aware of your surroundings. You will remain aware of sounds, suggestions or questions the therapist may ask as appropriate to the issues that are being addressed. If there is a suggestion or exercise you chose not to accept, then you decide.

What if I cannot be Hypnotised?

As Hypnosis is a naturally occurring state, everyone can enter hypnosis. Generally, epilepsy, alcohol in excess, any form of senility, infancy (up to about 5 years old or so), drug abuse, or people suffering from mental health issues can sometimes create difficulties in focus, therefore are not good subjects to work with. Personal issues will always be addressed.

What if it takes me a long time to enter Hypnosis?

That’s perfectly fine. The length of time that it takes to fully relax or enter hypnosis will depend greatly on each client. Daily stress, anxiety, previous hypnotic experience, scepticism, lack of rapport, expectations and even the perception that you cannot relax easily are some common factor involved. These will all be addressed and considered thoroughly within the consultation and throughout the sessions. Hypnosis is a naturally occurring state that you already have the ability to enter. Once you have entered hypnosis once within the session, you will have become a good subject for Hypnosis and it will become quicker and easier to relax from there on.

Can children be Hypnotised?

Yes, children make great hypnotic subjects. Aged 6 years and above is generally considered a good age to begin working with Hypnotherapy.

What do I need to do?

Be honest, open and ready to work in a co-operation with the therapist. Essentially, the client takes on the responsibly and develops their own strength, inner confidence and motivation. The client is assisted in re-gaining control in their life, installing new beneficial behaviours and in becoming happier, healthier, relaxed and more fulfilled. Change always comes from the client and from their drive to begin Hypnotherapy in the first place along with their motivation for change.

Why use a Hypnotherapist and not a Hypnosis CD?

The therapist is skilled and able to facilitate the session so that maximum progress can be made. Anyone can learn to unwind with a good relaxation CD, to increase well-being and health but, more often than not, more benefit can be gained working with the root cause of a problem rather than just solely the effects. CD’s are an excellent aid alongside sessions to help continue therapeutic rapport, confidence, stress reduction, relaxation and to compound positive suggestion personal to the clients issues. I will always provide my clients with their own tailored CD’s free of charge.

How many sessions will I need?

This will depend on the nature of your presenting issues, but can be anything from 1 to 10 session, or more for long term deepset issues or ailments. These will normally be 1 week apart but can be more often or spread apart when needed. Hypnotherapy is a brief therapy and a good therapist will be success orientated working closely with the client in as short a period as possible or appropriate.

What are the most Common issues treated?

For a confidential discussion or to arrange an appointment

LHL HYPNOTHERAPY
Lauren Hassan-Leslie DCH DHP GQHP GHR Reg.
Clinical Hypnotherapist & EFT Practitioner
07956 236944 - info@lhlhypnotherapy.com

© 2010 Lauren Hassan-Leslie. All Rights Reserved.