Clinical Hypnotherapy

What is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy aims to re-programme patterns of behaviour within the mind, enabling irrational fears, phobias, negative thoughts and suppressed emotions to be overcome. As the body is released from conscious control during the usually relaxed trance-like state of hypnosis, breathing becomes slower and deeper, the pulse rate drops and the metabolic rate falls. Other changes enable the sensation of pain and the awareness of unpleasant symptoms to become less acute or alleviated. Hypnotherapy involves the patient experiencing a sense of deep relaxation and wellbeing with their attention focused on appropriate suggestions and techniques made by the therapist. These suggestions help people make positive changes within themselves.

It is generally accepted that ALL hypnosis is ultimately self-hypnosis.

Kaz facilitates your experience and therapy - hypnotherapy is not about being made to do things, in fact it is the opposite, it is about empowerment! As a professionally trained and experienced Clinical Hypnotherapist, Kaz uses a wide variety of Hypnotic, Psychology, CBT, Resilience, Mindfulness, EMDR and ASMR techniques and interventions, so your therapy can is tailored to your individual needs.

Hypnotherapy can be applied to many psychological, emotional and physical disorders. It is used to relieve pain in minor surgery and dentistry and has proved to be of benefit in obstetrics. It can shorten the delivery stage of labour and can reduce the need for painkillers. It can ease the suffering of the disabled and those facing terminal illness, and it has been shown to help people to overcome addictions such as smoking and alcoholism, and to help with bulimia.

Children and Teenagers are generally easy to hypnotise and can be helped with a number of things such as confidence, blushing, bedwetting and phobias.

Hypnotherapy is one of the kindest ways to treat phobias, and anyone suffering from panic attacks or obsessional compulsive behaviour (OCD), and stress-related problems like insomnia, may also benefit.

Conditions exacerbated by tension, such as irritable bowel syndrome, psoriasis and eczema, sexual dysfunction and excessive sweating respond well, and even tinnitus and clicky jaws (tempero-mandibular joint dysfunction) can be helped by these Hypnosis.

Who can be Hypnotised

Mention the words hypnosis or hypnotherapy. Many people will say,

“I don't think I can be hypnotised.”

A variety of reasons exist for this notion, including the belief that hypnosis requires the subject to be of a certain mental calibre (either weak-minded or strong-minded). Some believe that they must be able to deeply relax for hypnosis to work, and that somehow they will be unable to reach such a state (you don't have to be relaxed to go into hypnosis) The basis for all such myths is the mistaken idea that hypnosis is something that someone else “does to you.” In truth, hypnosis is a state of focus and concentration which no one else can force upon you.

Assuming a person has been taught to reach a hypnotic state (and to carry out the correct suggestions in this state), there are things for which unassisted self-hypnosis proves beneficial. Other issues may require the assistance of a skilled and experienced hypnotherapist like Kaz. For issues that may require assistance, Kaz as a trained hypnotherapist can help you accomplish more in just a few sessions than people are often able to accomplish throughout their entire lifetimes.

There are three requirements necessary for hypnosis to occur:

a minimal level of intelligence,

an ability to follow simple instructions,

a willingness to be hypnotised.

No one can make you do anything against your will. If they could, the world would be run by power crazed hypnotherapists who would hardly have a need to maintain private practices.

Each and every person who wishes to be hypnotised can be hypnotised under the right conditions. It is a fallacy that strong minded people cannot be hypnotised. In fact, strong minded people often have some of the greatest success.

Hypnosis is a learned skill. Some of us are better at it initially, but anyone can improve with a little practice. The mind does not have to be quiet or still during the hypnotic state, which often makes hypnosis preferable to meditation for some people.

Hypnotherapy is a participatory process —the hypnotherapist works with you during your session to create the most powerful session for you based on the information you provide, and the goals you desire to achieve.

A few misconceptions include: • I could get stuck in hypnosis! Not so. Even if the hypnotherapist were to leave building and forget the client, the client would do one of two things: drift into a natural sleep for a few minutes or simply open their eyes and emerge.

• My secrets will be revealed. Hypnosis is not a truth serum. You are always aware of the process and in control of what is said or not said at any time during the session.

• I don't want anyone to control my mind! Hypnosis is a state of heightened awareness, a tool in which you can tap into the power of your own mind and create positive changes in your life. The protective critical factor of the mind ensures that your morals, values, and beliefs are kept intact, and allows only positive suggestions into the subconscious.

• I don't think I can be hypnotised. What if I can't go under? “Go under” is a poor choice of words to describe the hypnotic state. During hypnosis one is not asleep or unconscious and in fact experiences a state of heightened awareness. Relaxation goes along nicely with hypnosis but is not a requirement. Hypnosis can occur when standing, sitting, with eyes open or closed. There simply needs to be willingness on your part to participate and by following the instructions of the hypnotherapist you will be able to benefit from hypnosis.

• What if I fall asleep? It makes no difference whether you “remain awake” or “fall asleep” during a hypnosis session. It is only the opinion of your conscious mind which really has no way to gauge the hypnotic state and therefore may “think” you have fallen asleep when you are simply benefiting from a relaxed state.

• Will you make me cluck like a chicken? Only if you think it is therapeutically necessary. It is a myth that people can be made to do things against their will, you will not do something during the hypnotic state that you would not be inclined to do otherwise. Hypnosis simply affords you access to the more powerful part of your mind, the subconscious mind, where you can make changes that will benefit you. You are always in control.

• My mind is too sharp to be hypnotised. Only weak-minded individuals can be hypnotised. Not true. A sharp mind is an asset in accessing and benefiting from the state of hypnosis. Different induction methods will benefit different learning styles or information processing abilities. A skilled hypnotherapist will help you utilise your individual style and intelligence level to benefit from hypnosis.

In addition to the fact that hypnosis can work for almost anyone, other benefits also apply. Chiefly, hypnosis will not interfere with medications or other medical therapies. Since no drugs or expensive equipment are needed, the cost of hypnotherapy can be very competitive, even when paying an experienced, professional clinical hypnotherapist. Also, some types of hypnotherapy begin with the help of a hypnotherapist, but can be followed up with self-hypnosis learned from the therapist.

Many of our patients are in the care of a Doctor, and are receiving parallel treatments which include hypnotherapy. When traditional doctors send us their patients, its proof that hypnosis is being considered a viable treatment modality for many people.