Most Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most common FAQs.
Please get in touch if I haven't answered your question here.
FAQ #1 What is Hypnosis?
We all go in and out of trance every single day, and hypnosis is simply a state of trance. It is like day dreaming or thinking about something else, while other things are going on. You are in a state of trance when you feel like you are working on auto-pilot. This can happen when you do routine tasks without having to think about them.
FAQ #2 What does Hypnotic Trance Feel Like?
Hypnotic trance feels like you are in a very relaxed frame of mind. It is a state where the conscious mind is having a rest, and the focus is deep within. You can come out of the trance easily, by simply opening your eyes. At the end of the hypnosis part of the session, I simply count from 1 to 5. Then I direct you to gently open your eyes. You are likely to feel comfortable and refreshed.
FAQ #3 How Does Hypnosis Work?
A hypnotherapist uses a combination of their words and their voice to help you go into a trance. They ask you to close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. The therapist speaks at a gentle pace and helps you to relax. After this point that the therapist can make suggestions to your unconscious mind. This is to help you with issues that you have discussed already. The unconscious mind accepts the suggestions that it wants to.
I create a personalised recording for each person I work with. The client can listen to it every day to allow the unconscious mind to open up. This means the thinking can start changing right from the first session.
FAQ #4 What is Hypnotherapy?
As a hypnotherapist I use my voice and my words to help my clients. The relationship we build up is also very important. These tools help them change their beliefs and patterns of behaviour. I speak to the unconscious part of their mind. The style of hypnotherapy I use is Cognitive Hypnotherapy. This means that much of the work I do is conversational. Hypnosis is one of the tools that I use to help them. I help my clients go from where they are (sometimes called the problem state) to where you want to be (the solution state). It is a solution-focussed and evidence based therapy.
FAQ #5 Can Anyone Be Hypnotised?
Yes, if you want to be. We are advertised to everyday and we pick up beliefs and values from those around us. So we are already primed to accepting ideas, some people more than others. We might know people who are more gullible or easier to convince of something. They could be described as more suggestible. But on the whole I would say anyone can be hypnotised, if they want to be.
FAQ #6 What if I am Resistant to Being Hypnotised?
This is another common question. The person in question wants to helped, but they are afraid and are pre-empting a problem. Firstly, it is important that you feel comfortable with the therapist that you choose to work with. So I I would suggest talking on the phone before making an appointment. It is important to look carefully at their website and getting a feel for them.
Watching videos or recordings made by the hypnotherapist can help a client feel more comfortable with them. Resistance is rare, as clients come to the session willingly. However, if they are resistant, I would try to understand why that is. I would find a way to help. It may be that the client is not ready. They might want to work with a different person. I can help here as I have a wide network of therapists to suit different people.
FAQ #7 Will I Lose Control?
You are always in control of your trance state. This means you can come out of it by simply opening your eyes. A therapist can’t hypnotise a person against their will. They also can’t make a person behave in ways which are different to their normal personality. So often there are misconceptions due to stage shows. Stage hypnotists look for people who are extroverts and are natural performers. This is how stage hypnotists choose someone. They choose the person who is willing to perform on stage.
We all know someone who is an extrovert and who would love to go up on a stage and perform anyway. They don’t need much persuasion! So if you’re thinking of working with someone, check their credentials. Trust is a vital component in successful therapy.
FAQ #8 What's the difference between a hypnotherapy recording that is made for me and one which I can download online?
This is the difference between having a tailor-made suit or dress, or buying one from a shop. If you go to a tailor, they have your measurements, your requirements and a sense of your style and the occasion. Think about the fit of that garment and the experience of it. Now compare that to walking into a shop on the high street and buying a suit or a dress. They both work but they may not be comparable in terms of fit or quality. Many people are looking for a bespoke solution to their problems. That is something I offer my clients.
On this website you can book in to have a session with me and have a bespoke recording made for you. If you want to try a more general download, I have some pre-recorded options available here too.
You can also try out more free recordings you can try by The Quest Institute here.
