WHAT IS HYPNOTHERAPY?

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What is hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a state of consciousness. You hear what is being said and you are aware of what is happening. When in the hypnotic state you can talk, feel, hear, taste and smell. All five senses can be distorted, increased, decreased, but they are active.

In hypnosis you have greater control over the mind and body. You can control and relieve pain and remember past experiences long forgotten to everyday consciousness. Your powers of concentration are increased and creative talents and abilities can be heightened. The more you concentrate on something the more real it becomes for you. Consequently, it has more effect on your life and behaviour.

Is it safe?

Hypnosis is a safe and natural process. The only way you can be hypnotised is if you are willing to be; you are in control at all times. You would not do anything in hypnosis that you would not normally do or be willing to do. You will always be able to bring yourself out of hypnosis whenever you wish.

So what happens when we are hypnotised?

We hypnotise ourselves every day without any conscious effort, by moving into four primary brain-wave patterns: alpha, beta, theta and delta, which determine our state of consciousness

* Beta state - we are fully conscious and aware and spend most of our waking time in this state.
* Alpha state - our brain activity slows; we experience deep relaxation and heightened creativity. This state produces hypnosis or deep meditation. We slip in and out of the alpha state many times throughout the day, where we are alert but feel detached.
* Theta state - brain activity slows even more. We experience this just before we fall asleep and before we wake.
* Delta state - the deep-sleep state.

What is the difference between hypnosis and hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis to effectively and rapidly aid changes in the unconscious mind - which controls our behaviours, feelings, and habits.

In hypnotherapy, the hypnotic state is utilised and a range of therapeutic techniques would be used to help a client make positive changes in their life. Examples of its uses include weight-loss, confidence building, eliminating a fears & phobias, reducing stress, relieving pain, and releasing limiting beliefs and emotion.