Hypnotherapy

Clinical Hypnotherapy is distinct from that you see on stage. I am trained in a style called ‘Permissive Hypnotherapy’. You can only give your permission if you understand what is being done and why, and in hypnosis, a gentle state of altered consciousness, you remain aware of your surroundings, of what is being said, and you remain in control. In hypnosis you are relaxed and receptive to suggestions given and subconsciously you absorb and retain the suggestions. These suggestions may be around a phobia like fear of flying, or around a habit you wish to change or stop like smoking. Whatever the focus the intent is to help you make changes in hypnosis that you absorb subconsciously and able to use and apply in life.

I typically use hypnotherapy within my programmes alongside CBT and together my clients find the two approaches work well for them, each approach supporting the other.

Research has shown that the following psychological conditions can be helped by hypnotherapy:

• post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• depression
• anxiety
• insomnia
• eating disorders
• functional disorders (bodily symptoms and conditions such as headaches, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or backaches which may have a significant psychological component)
• improving memory for people who have experienced a brain injury

It has also been shown to help in the following medical conditions, often by reducing anxiety but also by reducing other symptoms:

• pain
• medical and surgical procedures
• cancer treatment side effects
• anaesthetic procedures
• burn wound care
• dental procedures
• childbirth
• menopausal symptoms

In addition, warts and other skin conditions can be improved by hypnotherapy. This is possible through the positive effects hypnosis has on the immune system.

Hypnotherapy may also be effective for people who are trying to quit smoking or lose weight.