Hypnotherapy

Relax. Be the person you want to be.

Vicki Crane BA(hons) MCSD Dip.Thyp LHS
 Hypnotherapy Guide 2

The mind is like an iceberg

Only a small part of an iceberg Below the surface is the subconscious Each of us has the inner resources that we
mind; the much larger part of the mind need to live our lives in the way that we
is visible above the surface of
which is responsible for memories, want. Life is a continuous journey and as
the water and this can be emotions and the central nervous system. we travel, we build upon and strengthen
thought of as similar to the It is this part of the mind that stores all our these resources. Hypnotherapy can help
conscious mind; the part of the individual behaviours and responses. you to access your own inner potential and
During hypnosis, the subconscious mind make positive life changes. Perhaps you’d
mind which is responsible for becomes more alert and receptive to like to feel more confident and relaxed
everyday thoughts, analysing suggestions and hypnotherapy uses this with life? Would you like to lose weight or
information, using logic and process to suggest new ways of thinking stop smoking? Or maybe you want to be
making decisions. and responding to situations. These new free from fear and anxiety? Hypnotherapy
thought processes can then enable new may be the help that you’ve been seeking.
and positive changes to take place.
Effective help for a variety of problems
The journey starts here Most people find hypnosis a very pleasant
Have you ever travelled somewhere and and calming experience and many of us
realised that when you arrived, you know someone who has been to see a
couldn’t remember parts of your journey? hypnotherapist, whether for weight loss,
Maybe you were driving along with the stopping smoking, or maybe to overcome
radio on or were listening to music on the a fear or phobia. Hypnotherapy can be
bus or train. When you arrived at your used in a wide variety of situations
destination, you couldn’t remember including the following:
driving down a certain road or passing a
particular stop. Or perhaps you can recall
the last time you read a book that was so Boosting confidence
absorbing you felt unable to put it down? Dealing with panic attacks
You become so focused on the story that Beating fears and phobias
the outside world began to seem a bit
distant and any background sounds no Managing stress
longer seemed to matter quite so much as Reducing stuttering
you drifted off into your own inner world. Becoming more assertive
Most people are familiar with this Managing pain
trance-like state, though we are not Beating exam nerves
always consciously aware of it occurring. Insomnia
It is a natural and safe state of mind which Achieving goals
is often experienced several times a day.
Eliminating habits
Be the person you want to be Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Sometimes, no matter how hard we try,
Stopping smoking
life doesn’t always run as smoothly as we
would like. Different situations and Reducing weight
experiences can leave us feeling tense, And many more...
stressed out, worried or even fearful.
 Hypnotherapy Guide 3

Hypnotherapy sessions

If this is the first time that Information gathering and full Therapy
case history During the session you will usually be
you’ve considered seeing a
In order for any therapy to be as effective seated in a comfortable chair. Some
hypnotherapist, you may be as possible, it is important to get a full therapists may have a sofa or couch to lie
wondering what happens picture of the problem or issue, including on if you prefer, but it is not necessary to lie
during a therapy session. any relevant background information. down if you do not wish to, as long as you
are comfortable.
If you are seeking hypnotherapy for the
Most hypnotherapists have relief of certain health problems or Most of the therapy will take place whilst
their own way of working which symptoms such as headaches, other types you are hypnotised (often referred to as
is based on a combination of of pain or medical problems, it may be being in trance) and some of the most
training and experience. necessary to obtain your consent to common methods of inducing hypnosis
contact your GP to confirm any medical including being asked to relax various
A typical first therapy session diagnosis and also obtain their permission muscles, gazing at an object or point on
to provide hypnotherapy. the wall or ceiling, or imagining relaxing
usually includes some or all of scenes such as walking through a meadow
the points opposite. For any therapy to be successful, it is or along a beach.
essential that a good working relationship
is established between you and your Most people find being hypnotised a very
therapist. It is important that you feel calming and relaxing experience. Some say
comfortable and at ease, if not, it may be they feel as though they’re drifting or
better to find someone else. floating, whilst others say their body feels
as though they’re sinking down into the
As well as getting to know the therapist chair because they are so comfortable. As
and discussing the problem or issue, this is part of the therapy, you may also be taught
also an opportunity to ask any questions self hypnosis so that you can feel the
that you may have. Some of the more benefits of hypnotherapy between
frequently asked questions are included in sessions and after the therapy has finished.
this guide, but if there is anything that you For more information about self hypnosis,
are unsure about, do ask your therapist. visit my website at: www.vickicrane.co.uk
Establishing goals and outline of The specific therapy techniques used will
proposed therapy depend on a number of factors including
In addition to gathering background the problem or issue and also how you
information, it is important to establish the respond during hypnosis. There are a wide
aim or goal and this is usually discussed range of techniques or ‘tools’ available and
before any therapy takes place. No two the therapist will select the most
people or issues are the same and this is a appropriate methods for you.
vital step to ensure that ongoing progress
can be monitored as well as enabling the
therapy to be tailored specifically to you.
Your therapist may also discuss with you
the therapeutic approaches that they
intend to use as well as an idea of how
many sessions may be required.
 Hypnotherapy Guide 4

Awakening At this point the therapist will ensure that The number of follow up sessions will
Following therapy, you will then be you feel fully alert and are back to full depend on you and the problem or issue.
brought out of hypnosis by the therapist. awareness. Sometimes it can take a minute Anywhere between one and six sessions is
Although the term awaken is used, during or two to emerge completely from quite common, although some problems
hypnosis you are not actually asleep at any hypnosis and this varies from person to may require more. The therapist may be
point. This process is commonly referred to person. Upon awakening, most people feel able to give you an idea of how many
as awakening as it is usually the way that very calm and relaxed, almost like having sessions will be needed and in most cases,
most people relate to coming out of a had a good night’s sleep. at least one further session is required,
hypnotic trance. so this is also arranged at this point.
Payment and arranging further sessions
As with inductions, there are a variety of Payment is usually required at the end of
awakeners that can be used and again, this each session, although some therapists
mainly depends on how you respond may prefer payment at the beginning,
during hypnosis and also sometimes on depending on how they work. You should
the therapy techniques that have been be aware of any costs before therapy
used. Common methods of awakening commences and most therapists will
include allowing you to open your eyes discuss fees with you when arranging
and come out of hypnosis in your own your first session.
time, or a more structured awakener where
the therapist may count from one to ten In some cases, for example stopping
and suggest that with each number you smoking, therapists may offer a fixed
become more aware until you are fully number of sessions and so fees may
‘wide awake’. vary from normal session fees.
 Hypnotherapy Guide 5

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between How many sessions will I need?

hypnosis and hypnotherapy? The number of sessions required will
Hypnotherapy uses the process of depend on you and the problem or issue.
hypnosis to suggest new thought or Anywhere between one and six sessions is
behaviour patterns for various types of quite common, although some problems
emotional or behavioural problems. may require more.
Because the subconscious mind is more
receptive during hypnosis, a Is hypnosis dangerous?
hypnotherapist can suggest new Hypnosis is a safe and natural state of mind
responses to situations. These are and hypnotherapy can be a very positive
absorbed on a deeper level and when and beneficial process when used by a
combined with your participation, can properly trained and qualified therapist.
have a positive and lasting effect.
Will I be under the control of the
What does it feel like to be hypnotised? hypnotherapist during the session?
There are no specific feelings associated Absolutely not. This is probably one of the
with being hypnotised as everyone most common beliefs about hypnosis and
experiences it differently. Most people usually stems from what people have seen
feel deeply relaxed and find that they feel or heard about stage hypnosis, as well as
very calm afterwards as well. the popular portrayal on TV and in books
of ‘The Hypnotist’ as a sinister character
How is hypnosis induced? who has absolute power and control over
There are many ways to induce hypnosis their subjects.
and the therapist will use the most
appropriate approach for you. Some of During hypnotherapy, you will not be
the most common methods are covered asleep and will be able to hear everything
in the Hypnotherapy sessions section of that the therapist says. People often
this guide. Drifting into hypnosis is usually believe that hypnosis involves a sort of
a very pleasant and relaxing experience magical sleep where you are unaware of
and certainly not like anything that you what’s happening around you. This is not
may have previously seen at a stage the case. Because hypnotherapy involves
hypnosis show. responding to suggestions made by the
therapist, it is important that you hear
Can hypnotherapy cure my problem? what is being said in order for you to take
Most people generally respond very well to the suggestions on board and for
hypnotherapy and it can provide long therapeutic change to happen.
lasting and permanent results. However,
the success of hypnotherapy depends So it’s not like stage hypnosis then?
upon many factors including the problem No. Whilst both hypnotherapists and stage
for which you are seeking help, your hypnotists use hypnosis, the way in which
motivation and commitment, the level of it is used is completely different. Stage
rapport with your therapist along with hypnosis is, what it says; hypnosis carried
many other things. Because of this, no out on a stage. It is used as a form of
responsible hypnotherapist would make entertainment and is for the benefit of the
make any promise of a cure. audience and volunteers taking part. Those
who choose to go to a stage show are
 Hypnotherapy Guide 6

usually well aware that the people on stage What happens if I get stuck in hypnosis? Will I reveal personal things that
will be asked to do funny and sometimes You cannot get stuck in hypnosis. It is a I don’t want to?
embarrassing things. The volunteers who natural and safe state of mind from which You are aware of everything that you say
are eventually chosen to go on stage are you will return to full awareness, either by during hypnosis and so you cannot be
there because they have chosen to be yourself or when asked to by the therapist. made to discuss things that you do not
there and it is their choice entirely to follow Even if something happened to the want to.
the hypnotist’s suggestions. hypnotherapist whilst you were
hypnotised, after a while, you would either However, it is important to remember
Stage hypnotists are talented showpeople wonder why they had stopped talking and the reason why you are seeing a
who know exactly how to give the wake up by yourself or alternatively, if you hypnotherapist. In order for you to
impression that they are in control of their were tired, you would fall asleep and then benefit fully from hypnotherapy, the
volunteers on stage and this is a vital factor wake up as normal after a short while. therapist needs to know about the
in order for the show to be a success. problem or issue including any relevant
Because the hypnotist convinces the Will I be asleep? background information.
volunteers that they are in control, there is No. Although the word hypnosis comes
less chance of them resisting hypnosis. from the Greek god of sleep Hypnos, Hypnotherapy is a two-way process and
hypnosis is actually an altered state of not something that is done to you, but
The type of person who volunteers to go awareness in which you are still aware of with you. It is important that you feel
on stage at a hypnosis show is usually your surroundings and are able to hear you can trust and have confidence in
someone who is very outgoing, enjoys a everything that the therapist says. During your therapist.
laugh and doesn’t mind walking around hypnotherapy, your eyes are usually closed
like a chicken or quacking like a duck (or and you will experience a feeling of deep Copyright © Vicki Crane 2008
any of the other tricks you may have heard relaxation, but you will not be asleep.
about) even when they’re not hypnotised.
Being hypnotised simply provides a reason Will I remember everything?
for them to be even wilder than they Because you are aware throughout, you
normally would because they have the will usually remember everything that you
perfect excuse afterwards; “I don’t experience during hypnosis. Sometimes
remember anything. I was hypnotised”. In people do find that they can’t remember it
reality, most stage hypnosis volunteers all consciously afterwards, but the
usually remember everything about the subconscious mind remembers everything.
show and the suggestion that they ‘forget’ This is quite normal and is similar to
is often included to save them from forgetting what someone has just said
embarrassment later on! because your attention is elsewhere rather
than concentrating on the conversation.
Hypnotherapy is used to help people with
a wide range of problems in a safe and
appropriate manner which is for their
benefit. You cannot be hypnotised against
your will. For hypnosis to happen, you have
to want it to happen.