Tell Me About Hypnosis....
Hypnosis is a natural state, one you are very familiar with, although you may not call it by that name. Have you ever driven from one destination to another, only to arrive with no memory of the journey? Your unconscious mind was ensuring your safety whilst your conscious mind was engrossed in other things. During your journey your brain waves had slowed to the Alpha level of 8-12Hz per second. You were "daydreaming". In the state of hypnosis, your body becomes very relaxed and your mind becomes very focused. While this is happening, your unconscious mind is open to beneficial ideas or thoughts which it may process, thus leading the way to positive and lasting change. Hypnosis enables us to access that part of our mind where our habits and patterns of behaviour are stored, and make changes where appropriate. In days gone by, it was thought that the power of hypnosis lay with the hypnotist. Today, this theory is only perpetuated by stage hypnotists - and they're wrong! We have a saying in our clinic - that all hypnosis is self-hypnosis. In a session, hypnosis is not something that is ‘done’ to you, but rather a 'state' of mind that your therapist helps you to achieve. In many instances, we will teach our clients how they may take themselves in and out of hypnosis, enabling them to continue work begun in the session at home. Ericksonian Hypnosis Milton Erickson MD is considered the father of modern hypnotherapy. His definition of hypnotherapy is:
"A process whereby we help people utilize their own mental associations, memories, and life potentials to achieve their own therapeutic goals." (Rossi, 1979:1) With Ericksonian hypnosis, the suggestions you are given tend to be less direct than the more old-fashioned method of hypnosis, which was very authoritative. People don’t like to be told what to do, even in trance! You know unconsciously what is best for you, and if we can suggest that you make changes for your own benefit, the effects will be positive and lasting. This is much more realistic than expecting someone to change just because you tell them to. More information about the difference between hypnosis and hypnotherapy. | 
