What is Hypnosis & Hypnotherapy?

What is Hypnosis?

You might be surprised to learn that we all experience trance states many times in the course of our lives. Even passing into ordinary sleep involves a kind of trance state. The experience of hypnosis is similar: neither asleep nor awake and a little like daydreaming, with a pleasant feeling of deep relaxation behind it all. Book an appointment to experience hypnosis and hypnotherapy in High Wycombe and online…

Hypnosis can be viewed as being a different state of consciousness that you can naturally enter so that, for therapeutic purposes, beneficial corrections may be given directly to your unconscious mind. In this way, hypnosis is an effective way of making contact with our inner (unconscious) self, which is both a reservoir of unrecognised potential and knowledge as well as being the unwitting source of many of our problems.

This is just one of a number of ways of defining what hypnosis is. Other definitions for example suggest that hypnosis involves a concentrated focused of attention, reduced awareness of competing stimuli and increased responsiveness to therapeutic suggestion.

It is a fact that no-one can be hypnotised against their will and even when hypnotised, a person can still reject any suggestion if they wish. Therapeutic hypnosis is a state of purposeful (confidential) cooperation. More about the definitions of hypnosis…

What is Clinical Hypnotherapy?

Today, Clinical Hypnotherapy means using advanced methods of hypnosis and other techniques to treat a variety of medical and psychological problems. Most people are capable of experiencing hypnosis to some degree, although responsiveness varies between individuals.

Hypnosis may even succeed where other, more conventional methods of treatment have not produced the desired results. Click here for case histories… (PDF)

For those who don’t want clinical hypnosis, treatment can be provided using the other techniques that Bill Frost: Changing States provides such as EMDR).

Modern Clinical Hypnotherapy is increasingly an ‘integrative‘ field of study. This means that the best elements of many other forms of therapy have been integrated into Clinical Hypnotherapy. This includes aspects if behavioural psychology, cognitive psychology, EMDR, NLP as well as the most effective elements from the classical theories proposed by Freud, Jung and Adler, as well as the latest physiological research in terms of how the mind functions.

Analytical and quantum hypnotherapeutic techniques are utilised as required or on request. It is even possible for sessions to be context / content free – whereby you do not need to state the exact nature of the problem at all.

Analytical hypnosis techniques including regression therapy, parts therapy and ego state therapy are appropriate where an issue has its roots in the past. But not all issues are rooted in the past and it is not always necessary (or beneficial) to go back to the past to resolve an issue in the present.

Quantum / humanistic approaches (NLP or hypnotherapy based) are suitable for those with belief systems that do not preclude e.g. the interconnectedness of everything and the concept of universal energy. Other more esoteric approaches include Past Life Regression, Future Life Progression and collective unconscious work.

For some, a less esoteric, more direct, logical approach may be more appropriate. At Changing States we will never force our belief systems onto you – we simply provide you with choices and options.

There are two broad styles of hypnotherapy delivery: traditional and modern. Modern styles are more conversational and tend to use special effects in downloads to generate trance states. The approach adopted by Bill Frost: Changing States is balanced and is adapted to the individual patient.

Overview:

• You remain in control at all times
• Nothing can be suggested that you don’t want
• You can hear what is said at all times
• You may remember everything that is said
• You can move around whenever you wish
• Hypnosis is not the same as sleep
• You have been in natural trance states many times

Quiz: See how much you know about hypnotherapy…

Online hypnotherapy

Online hypnotherapy is simply an online alternative to face-to-face treatment sessions. I tend to use either Zoom or Skype if Zoom is not possible. In practical terms, the sessions are structured as per face-to-face sessions and the same hypnotherapy techniques are employed…. Learn more about online hypnosis and hypnotherapy….

What can hypnotherapy treat?

The range of issues that respond well to hypnotherapy is extensive. Here are some of the many issues that are treated using clinical hypnosis…

What to Expect from Hypnotherapy

Each session is tailored to your personal experience and goals. Hypnotherapy for is gentle, collaborative and focused on positive steps forward. Sessions will typically include:

1. Initial consultation and goal setting
   In your first, extended duration, session we will discuss your history, symptoms, triggers and what you’d like to change. This forms the foundation for your tailored treatment plan.
2. Guided relaxation and therapeutic hypnosis
   You will be guided into a calm, focused state, where targeted suggestions can begin to change behaviours, thoughts, memories and beliefs.
3. Solution-focused and / or psychodynamic strategies
   Depending on your priorities, sessions will focus on where you are right now and the future, or on underlying dynamics such as trauma resolution, followed by solution-focused behaviour change after that.
4. Self-hypnosis training
   You will learn how to practise self-hypnosis at home, using recordings or simple scripts to manage symptoms between sessions and on an ongoing basis.
5. Flexibility and ongoing support
   You are in control at all times. As your situation evolves, so your treatment plan will adapt to meet your changing needs.

Other techniques such as EMDR or NLP may be integrated, especially where trauma, negative beliefs or emotional blocks are present.

How do Hypnotherapy downloads work?

To enable you to experience a taste of hypnotherapy at home, a range of audio downloads are available from this site.

The downloads reinforce the hypnotherapy room experience and can be customised to your individual needs if required.

• Rapid Relaxation
• Rapid Sleep
• Nail Biting
• Healthy Eating
• Emetophobia desensitisation
• Click here to see our range of hypnosis and hypnotherapy downloads….

Hypnotherapy downloads differ from face-to-face or online hypnotherapy because they will generally not be tailored to the individual unless specially recorded. The pace will generally be faster to avoid long gaps in the recording.

How does hypnosis differ from guided meditation?

Hypnosis and guided meditation can feel similar. Both involve closing your eyes, relaxing your body and listening to a voice. The difference lies in purpose, structure, depth of relaxation targetted and depth of change.

Hypnosis is designed to create specific change. Guided meditation is usually designed to create relaxation or calm awareness.

In clinical hypnosis:

• The sessions have a clear therapeutic aim eg stopping smoking, reducing anxiety or resolving trauma
• The language is structured to access the unconscious mind
• Suggestions are carefully phrased to influence beliefs, habits and emotional responses
• You enter a focused trance state where critical thinking reduces and responsiveness increases
• Your nervous system becomes more “plastic” and amenable to change

In guided meditation:

• The aim is typically relaxation, stress reduction or present moment awareness
• The language encourages observation rather than change
• Thoughts are noticed and allowed to pass
• There is no structured use of therapeutic suggestion

Hypnosis works at the level of pattern change. Guided meditation works at the level of awareness.

Both can feel deeply relaxing. Only hypnosis is intentionally constructed to modify automatic responses, habits and internal narratives.

If you want calm, guided meditation may be enough. If you want to change a specific issue at its root, hypnosis is the more direct route.

Learn more about hypnosis and hypnotherapy