What is clinical hypnotherapy? Clinical hypnotherapy allows the client to access their subconscious mind and in doing allows them the opportunity to alter undesirable or negative symptoms and thoughts. This is done by initially carrying out a simple assessment of the issue at hand and then using hypnotherapy to re-frame the original event and associated feeling and behaviour. This change in response therefore impacts positively on all future future encounters with the presenting issue. Depending on the issue dealt with, clients will participate in the therapy themselves to a larger or lesser degree, however, at all times clients are in control.
What is it like being hypnotised?
During therapy you may feel deeply relaxed and calm. In addition a feeling of well-being may wash over you creating an experience which is pleasant and enjoyable, similar in many ways to meditation or day-dreaming. During this trance state you will find your awareness will actually increase and it is here where treatment has most impact. However, it is extremely important not to get clinical hypnotherapy mixed up with stage hypnosis, these are two very different forms of hypnosis, with the latter for entertainment purposes only. Clinical hypnotherapy is about treating a person's issue, not for the entertainment of others, and in this respect is a safe and ethical means of treating people with symptoms of an emotional or behavioural nature. The therapist therefore does not implant subliminal messages in the client's mind and even if this were the case, as said above the client is at all times in control and could reject this.
What does our subconscious mind do?
Our subconscious mind can affect the way we perceive the world around us and therefore act because of this. Sometimes we are aware of how and why this occurs whilst at other times we are not and it is not always easy to access the subconscious and therefore create change we want. Using clinical hypnotherapy however allows us a way of getting to the subconscious mind by bypassing our 'critical faculty' or pre-conscious mind so that we alter those thoughts and emotions which are creating obstacles to the way we want to live our lives.
Do I have to believe in clinical hypnotherapy for it to work?
Whilst you do not have to believe in clinical hypnotherapy per se you must be willing to accept the process and the possible impact it can have on you, since this treatment works best when the client believes in, and works with the therapy they receive. It is not advisable for other people to refer someone they think might benefit from hypnotherapy, rather it is up to the client alone to decide on what treatment they want and when.