FAQs

Hypnosis is simply a communication process that involves the use of language to direct and absorb attention, lead cognition and seed ideas, for the purpose of enabling someone to utilise their personal resources so they experience a temporary, or permanent, altered subjective reality. Let's take a closer look at this definition.

It’s a process. It’s something we do, that we actively engage in, rather than being something that is done to us. It’s a process you choose and are motivated and willing to engage in. If you don’t want to experience hypnosis you won't. It’s as simple as that.

It’s a communication process. The hypnotist communicates with the hypnotee through words and body language. Since ancient times, there have always been people who have been aware of the effects of their words and ideas upon others. Some have realised that they can take this awareness and systematically apply it, to change the way people think, feel and behave. Not all of them have called themselves hypnotists. They may have been called leaders, healers, mystics or shamans, advertisers. Nowadays they might be called a politician, salesperson, thought leader, manager, therapist, coach or magician

Direct and absorb attention – most researchers agree that hypnosis requires the subject to engage in intense focus or concentration on one or more specific ideas. This is also called selective attention or everyday trance – we select a single idea or thing on which to focus our conscious attention on. This focused attention leads to a heightened state of awareness of the idea, or thing being focused upon and, everything we’re not focusing on drops out of our conscious awareness. Selective attention is our natural learning state. In order to learn anything, we must focus our attention on it.

Lead cognition and seed ideas. Hypnosis has been called the art and science of suggestion. During the hypnosis session the hypnotist delivers goal directed suggestions that facilitate achievement of the outcome the hypnotee is seeking. In addition to suggestions, the hypnotist may use imagery, metaphor and stories.

Enabling someone to utilise their personal resources. We all have a set of innate resources that we can draw on in order to help us to create the changes we want to make. These resources include our beliefs, our values, and our imagination.

Experience a temporary, or permanent, altered subjective reality. An example of a temporary change in subjective reality would be where it’s suggested to a person that their hand is stuck to the table and that becomes their reality until the hypnotist tells the person their hand is no longer stuck, at which point the person’s reality returns to normal. Helping someone to permanently alleviate or eliminate the symptoms of IBS is an example of permanently altering someone’s subjective reality.

The best way to prepare to experience hypnosis is to adopt a 'hypnotic mindset'. A ‘hypnotic mind-set’ simply means that you:

·        have an intent to experience hypnosis

·        are motivated to experience hypnosis

·        are confident in your ability to respond to the suggestions you receive

·        are optimistic about the outcome of hypnosis

·        expect to automatically experience the responses and changes being suggested or imagined.

Everyone can experience 'hypnotic trance' if they want to. We spend most of our waking day in one trance or another. We have many names for these 'everyday trances' - daydreaming, in flow, in the zone, concentrating, studying. In hypnotherapy we simply use your natural ability to enter an everyday trance, to guide you into a goal directed trance - a 'hypnotic trance.'

When you adopt the hypnotic mindset, you prime your mind for engaging in a hypnotic trance. As well as already being an expert in going into trance, you're an expert in all the key components of the hypnosis process because, you use them multiple times every day. You can:

·        Communicate

·        Focus your attention on a single idea

·        Use your imagination

·        Respond to suggestions

So, to experience hypnosis, you simply have to want to experience it and allow yourself to enjoy the experience. If you don’t want to experience hypnosis you won’t. It’s as simple as that. It’s a choice. 

Everyone’s experience of hypnosis is different, because we are all unique individuals.

Hypnosis is a safe and enjoyable experience. Most people describe it as very relaxing. During hypnosis you are in a conscious, focused state of awareness. That means you are aware of everything that is going on around you. You focus on the hypnotist’s words. You hear everything that’s said but, like with any communication you’re unlikely to remember all that was said. Because you’re alert, and focused, you are always in control. That means you can end the session anytime you wish. You can also reject suggestions if you want to. 

No, because you are awake, alert and always in control. You can choose what you say or don't say. You can choose what you do or don't do.

Change starts from the moment you decide to change, and change can be happening even when we think it isn’t, so there’s no need to feel disappointed when, as occasionally happens, a hypnosis session doesn’t seem, at first, to have made any difference. Change can be instantaneous, or it may take a few days, weeks, or months to achieve the result you desire. Each of is unique and we change at a rate and speed that is unique for us.

In the meantime, you can notice what you notice. Clues that you have moved, or are moving, toward the desired outcome will emerge, so be alert for even the smallest things that you’re doing differently.

No adverse side effects. If suggestions have been given for relaxation, or pain relief then you are going to feel more relaxed, comfortable and at ease at the end of the session.

No. Hypnosis creates a state of relaxation and focused attention. This can be light to very deep. It is literally impossible to become “stuck” in a state of relaxed, focused attention. Can you imagine getting “stuck” in reading an absorbing book or watching an enjoyable film? Should you need to, you can bring yourself out of hypnosis at any time.

Yes. Hypnotherapy can be used to help a wide range of conditions that some people may think are purely physical, including irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, tinnitus, impotence, physical twitching, facial tics, and many others.

A growing body of research now supports hypnotherapy, as an effective tool in the treatment of a variety of problems, including stress, anxiety, trauma and chronic pain. For more information about clinical hypnotherapy and research that supports its efficacy click here – Hypnosis Research.

Neural Coding is a method for modelling excellence and creating rapid change. It uses techniques derived from the study of how we do what we do, especially the behaviour that works well. By studying thinking patterns and behaviours that create excellent outcomes, it's possible to teach those strategies to other people so they can achieve their own best outcomes. These goals may range from personal (such as improving self-confidence, quitting an addiction, resolving trauma and health problems, becoming happier…) through to corporate success (such as increasing sales, improving public speaking, developing better marketing strategies, creating better workplace dynamics).

I'm a member of a number of hypnotherapy and coaching organisations. Each one has their own Code of Conduct. Fortunately, they are all similar in content. A copy of the National Council for Hypnotherapy Code of Conduct is available here. 

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