Understanding Hypnosis
Hypnosis and its uses in the practice of hypnotherapy are rapidly
emerging as a highly effective science in solving the problems people have. It is a valuable
adjunct in psychotherapy and psychiatry. Yet few therapeutic procedures are less understood or more plagued by
misconceptions and misunderstandings. Before considering what hypnosis is,
perhaps it would be best to establish what it is not. When interviewing a new
client/patient I ask what s/he thinks hypnosis is. Replies range from sleep, to
being unconscious, to surrender of mental powers and control, to magic, to
voodoo. Hypnosis cannot be sleep because in most cases the client is fully aware
of communication and is able to respond on request either verbally or by signal. If a client is asked to make a specific movement,
s/he will comply with the request unless it is objectionable to them and they will
refuse. There is no surrender of mind or control. A person who does not want to
be hypnotized cannot be hypnotized or be induced to say or do anything which
violates their personal standards of behaviour or integrity. There is neither magic
nor voodoo involved. It is only in the fiction of movies or television where the
subject follows directions mindlessly. Actually, hypnosis is better described than defined. It is often considered
an altered state of consciousness featuring “selective perception”. This is a
process in which the client (who is the one in control) chooses to see only what is
relevant to his task, blocking out everything else. Hypnosis involves guided
concentration. The guidance is provided initially by me and then by the client as I
teach the process of self-hypnosis. Self-hypnosis and the techniques and
therapies that I have developed can be learned by virtually every client and can
provide a lifetime of benefit. How Does Hypnosis Work? The subconscious mind receives and retains all the messages we receive
from our backgrounds, whether genetic, social, religious or experiential, plus all
the conflicts (big and little) that enter our daily lives. When, for whatever reason,
the conscious mind (which deals with everyday living, logic, and reasoning)
becomes overloaded, the subconscious prepares us for what is considered
appropriate action - the fight or flight response. However, the subconscious mind
does not analyse and evaluate as the conscious mind does, but accepts all
messages in the literal sense. Hypnosis, then, is a means of communication between the conscious
mind and the subconscious mind. Many human problems, habits, stresses,
anxieties, attitudes, or apparent deficiencies can be traced to interpretations by
the subconscious mind. When these errant messages are re-programmed,
specific problems can be reduced or resolved. Also, the subconscious is the
seat of all memory. Traumatic events can be buried or suppressed in the
subconscious. A major benefit of hypnotherapy is its ability to uncover and bring
into the light of understanding the buried information or experience which may be
the cause of a troublesome behaviour. Can the hypnotherapist tell exactly how many appointments I need? A good hypnotherapist individualizes treatment, uniquely tailored to
your needs. If a practitioner says “You need precisely X number of sessions”,
s/he does not represent ethical practice standards. No one, no matter how
experienced, can truly know. Is hypnosis a “one-shot” treatment? By no means. On occasion many clients do get great benefits from a
single session. But often there are triggers deep at the subconscious level, and
the unwanted behaviour may return. When this happens, often those who have
had only one session will say “I tried hypnosis, but it only worked for a short
time”. It is best to follow through with therapy so that the problem is alleviated
once and for all. What can hypnosis be used for? The popular assumption that hypnosis is only useful for weight
reduction and smoking cessation is very much mistaken; there are many more
possibilities. Hypnosis has a definite effect on our physical wellbeing, and it is
generally accepted that if we feel unhappy, stressed, or over-worked, our health
may suffer. Psychological pressure can cause a propensity for minor illnesses,
like colds. Recent research suggests that mental factors play a part in the
development of many serious diseases. While we still have incomplete and imprecise knowledge of how bodily
illnesses connect with the mind, we do know hypnosis promotes mental changes
that lead to improvement in wellness. Trances act effectively as a bridge
between the mind (psyche) and body (soma). Psychosomatic complaints are
conditions where there seems to be no organic cause for ill health. They have
been said to be “all in your mind” – as if the patient were choosing to be in pain. The pain and discomfort are real and painful, and even may be life-threatening. Generally, we have not more conscious choice in psychosomatic complaints than
we do in organic maladies. Is hypnotherapy covered by insurance? Yes, my Counselling and Hypnotherapy are both covered by Professional Indemnity Insurance. Qualifications and Experience
I am a qualified UK trained Counsellor/Psychotherapist and Clinical Hypnotherapist. I also have a Post Graduate Certificate in Child and Adolescent Mental Health obtained from the University of Auckland. I am registered as a Health Professional and a Registered DAPAANZ Practitioner. All qualifications can be sighted upon request. I have over ten years experience working in Addictions and Mental Health, in particular with youth. I also had my own practice in the UK where I successfully used hypnotherapy for smoking cessation, weight loss, fear of flying, nail biting, exam nerves, anxiety, stress, low mood and many others. Please contact me if you wish to enquire about any other issues not listed. I look forward to hearing from you. I can be contacted by e mail andrea.askandrea@gmail.com, or by cellphone 02102664259.
