How about you suspend your disbelief and give it a go?
I think we all know someone who has tried it? You have heard some good stories and maybe some that are not so good. But the hype and mystic around the word hypnosis continues. As a practitioner for the last 10 years I see so much evidence that all is does is positive good things. I will never pretend that I get 100% success rate but in almost every case it reduces stress and increases confidence. So if thats all you get is it worth giving it a go?
Even though there is now a plethora of scientific evidence to indicate that hypnosis actually does work many of us still find ourselves on the fence. What is is about that little word that has us running scared?
The other day a client called about coming along to an initial consultation and explained how scared and apprehensive she was. She had been referred by a friend and even though her friend had had a positive experience she still remained apprehensive and worried. But she was at the end of her tether, everything else she had tried had failed so she plucked up the courage and called me.
There certainly has been a large increase in the number of people who are searching the internet for information and this has meant that I have a thriving business which continues to grow, a youtube channel that has close to 3 million views and close to 15,000 subscribers. So things are definitely changing as many of us are looking for a more natural alternatives.
Now I have got your attention let’s delve into this mystical modality and see if I can help you make more sense of it.
If you get up in the mornings without an alarm or if you have been asleep and are just in that semi awake state, not asleep yet not quite awake. You can probably remember a time right now when you felt like that. That is often referred to as a trance state. Let’s take it further. Perhaps you are watching an emotion filled movie and you move from tears to laughter, or reading a really interesting, thought provoking book or playing a video game. All these actions require you to focus your attention inwardly and that is all hypnosis is.
However, when you move into this focussed state you connect to the subconscious mind, this is your feeling/emotional mind. Whenever you do that you are more susceptible to accepting suggestions for change that you you want. The important thing here is that you are in control so if I or anyone gives you a suggestion that you don’t like or don’t agree with then you will reject it. You remain in control at all times. My role is simply to guide you.
A good example of this is the guy who comes in to stop smoking. When I ask him he he want to stop smoking and he tells me his wife has sent him and that he really doesn’t want to give up. I have to send him away as he will not accept my suggestion for a change that he doesn’t want.
Let’s get the answers to the most frequently asked questions.
Question: Will I lose control?
Answer: Absolutely not! And don’t believe anyone who tells you differently.
It is very like meditation, visualisation or day dreaming. You are aware and in control at all times, you can speak and can awaken any time you wish. You subconscious mind will reject any suggestion that go against your will, your value or belief system. All hypnosis is self hypnosis, your therapist is acting as your guide and providing the techniques, tools and language to help you solve your problems.
Question: What if I don’t come out if hypnosis?
Answer: This is just not possible – remember control stays totally with you. Either you come back to full awareness or you fall asleep. At any time you want to stop and come out of the hypnotic state all you have to do is open your eyes.
Question: Will I reveal private issues under hypnosis?
Answer: This is a biggy for a lot of people. You are fully under your own control and it is just not possible to force anyone in hypnosis to reveal anything that they do not want to reveal. As a registered therapist I signed a Hypnotherapy Oath which ensures that we abide by the highest levels of ethics and confidentiality. I also believe that in some situations therapy can be achieved entirely in your own head without content and in this case I respect your need for privacy.
Question: Will I suffer any side affects?
Answer: Probably, you may just feel a whole lot better than you felt in a long time! Most clients have the best sleep the night after the session. There are no recorded incidents of any harm being cause by hypnosis.
Question: I don’t think I can be hypnotised?
Answer: Most people can be hypnotised to some degree, however only if you want to be. Hypnosis is a consent state so there is no way you can be hypnotised if you do not want it to happen. Typically 20% of people will experience deep hypnosis, 60% mid level and 20% light hypnosis. The biggest reason for not going into a hypnotic trance is lack of comfort with either the therapist or the surroundings.
Question: Will I feel hypnotized or like I am in a coma?
Answer: You will have probably seen people being hypnotised on the stage and looking completely ‘out of it’ well that’s so far from the truth in a therapy setting. Yes, you will probably feel really relaxed and comfortable and the thing is you will hear everything being said to you, and you can respond, it’s just that you will have your eyes closed. Trance is described in different ways by different people because we are all unique. Most people explain it as a feeling of floating or drifting or feeling so relaxed and at peace. But all are in agreement that it is pleasant and most believe that they have never relaxed as deeply as they do in trance.
Question: How many sessions will I need?’
Answer: This is difficult to asses until we have had the first session because in order to assess your situation accurately I need to take a full history so I understand what we are dealing with. Most adult clients would be between 5/6 sessions and kids 3/4 sessions as an average.
So I wonder if this helps you to feel a little more comfortable. The next step is to make an appointment. In the first session we do not do any therapy, it’s all about gathering information, explaining how the mind works, how and why hypnosis works and building rapport. At the end of this session you will know whether I am the right therapist for you, whether I can help you and that this is the right time.
So let me ask you again, if I have convinced you that it truly is a safe natural alternative, is it worth a try? Contact me at elaine@mindovermattertherapy.com.au and let’s make that first appointment.