What is Clinical Hypnosis?

Clinical hypnosis is a simple and natural technique which helps a person utilise their own resources and creativity. This process is driven not by intellectual understanding or conscious thought but by what is meaningful for that person. Logical and conscious efforts in trying to solve personal problems are often counter-productive. Clinical hypnosis helps replace conscious effort with one’s own innate understanding and intuition. Clinical hypnosis is rarely anything like what is portrayed in movies and TV shows. A person need not “go under” to benefit. Most people remain conscious to some degree. The usefulness of hypnosis is not related to the depth at which it is experienced. It is, however, often a pleasant and relaxing experience which in itself is useful. Hypnosis is neither magical nor mysterious. If there is anything wondrous it is the capacity of the human mind to attend automatically to that which is meaningful and so facilitate spontaneous change.

How is Hypnosis Done?

Hypnosis is induced by suggestions which help a person focus their attention in a natural and easy manner. For example: “As you sit there you can allow yourself to flow with whatever you’re noticing ... the sounds about you ... the rhythm of your breathing ... the thoughts passing through your mind … you’re here for a reason … that’s all you need to know.”

Suggestions are then made or stories told to assist the patient utilise their positive and creative abilities. For example: “The next time you become aware of any feelings of reaching for a cigarette your arm can become pleasantly heavy and remain on your lap.”

The session concludes with suggestions for return to a normal waking state.

How Many Sessions?

The number of sessions required is highly variable. Everyone is different. A lot may be gained from just one session. For unwanted habits between one and four sessions may be all that is required. For anxieties and building confidence more sessions may be needed. A person may get enough from a few sessions and then return weeks or months later for further sessions when they feel the need.

What Can Hypnosis Help?

Smoking. Insomnia. Anxieties of any kind. Performance Anxiety. Social Anxiety. Loss of Confidence. Negative Thinking. Depression. Phobias. Nail Biting. Feeling out of control. Feeling stuck. Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Migraine. Eating Disorders. Gambling. Preparation for Childbirth. Marijuana smoking. Any unwanted habit.

What Hypnosis May Not Help

I do not use hypnosis for weight loss. Hypnosis, however, can help a person gain more control of both their eating behaviours and their emotions and thus indirectly help in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. Sexual difficulties are more likely to be better dealt with by the person and their partner together seeing a sexual counsellor. Children under the age of 16 are better served by a child psychologist or psychiatrist.

    Clinical Hypnosis