Hypnotherapy and the "Myth"notherapy

I love being a hypnotherapist… and I am always asked such interesting questions about my practice.

I work with incredible people:

• bravely deciding an old crutch or habit is doing more harm than good
• standing at a turning point in their lives, or at the edge of making big behaviour changes
• wanting to find a greater potential in themselves
• working, giving, or loving so hard they are running out of energy, health, or a sense of self
• recognising unhelpful thought patterns and wanting to initiate action to “feel lighter”
• stuck in powerful emotion, grief, or loss, and finding their way back with meaning
• noticing their self-worth is low, and feeling their relationship with themselves has got to change
• feeling burnt out, stressed out, overwhelmed and needing to diffuse nervous tension.

What is Hypnotherapy?
It is: Hypnosis, relaxation and breathing techniques, visualisation, identifying and reducing triggers, changing thought patterns, mindfulness, and self-hypnosis techniques – for a therapeutic benefit.
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Hypnotherapy uses a natural state of trance or deep relaxation. In this altered state of consciousness a person is much more open to therapeutic suggestion, exploring problems and addressing issues to achieve effective change. It is relaxing, peaceful, safe, and comfortable and you are always in control. Clients enjoy unlocking their ability to rest from a wired mind, seeing old problems through a different lens, and noticing how old habits are no longer compelling after the session. Hypnotherapy can feel as rejuvenating as massage and offer great gains in self-esteem and self-worth.

Hypnotherapy can support you to stop smoking, change attitudes to food and relationships with your body. It can assist with stress management, relief from anxious and depressive thoughts, building self-confidence, motivation, navigating grief and loss, and much more... 

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Dispelling the myths:
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1.Hypnotherapists have magic powers and zap your mind to do whatever you want.
Imagine anyone having that power! No… Hypnotherapy can only be effective as a meeting place between your conscious thoughts of wanting and being ready to change and finding the resources in your subconscious to support that change. When these two meet – the magic happens.

2.Hypnotherapy only works on some people (and the weak-minded)
Whilst some people are more suggestible to hypnosis, the ability to be hypnotised is only dependent on your willingness, motivation, and ability to concentrate. If you want hypnotherapy to work, and co-operate in the process, you will enjoy the benefit. The best candidates are those with a creative imagination (we all have).

3.You will cluck like a chicken.
In hypnotic trance, you are always in complete control. You will only accept the suggestions that are agreeable to you. Stage hypnotists promise this kind of entertainment and the volunteers are expecting to perform in strange ways. Unless your deepest desire is to change from human to chicken, this will never be the effect. You are always in control, and you can break from trance at any time.

4.You can get stuck in hypnosis.
This is not possible, hypnosis is a natural trance or ‘day dreaming’ state. Getting “stuck” in hypnosis, would only be drifting off to sleep, from which you would naturally wake. The aim of hypnotherapy is to keep your relaxed state just above this level.

5.You are asleep/unconscious when you are in hypnosis and won’t remember anything
 
Your body will certainly think so because hypnotherapy is so wonderfully relaxing. However, the mind remains focused. You can remember the session, but just as in a dream, the details can seem fuzzy when you wake. Remember you are always in control, and you can break from trance at any time.

“The conscious mind may be compared to a fountain playing in the sun and falling back into the great subterranean pool of subconscious from which it rises.”
Sigmund Freud

​When choosing a hypnotherapist, it is wise to make sure they are registered with a governing body such as the Australian Hypnotherapists’ Association or are qualified psychologists with hypnotherapy training. It is important to have a positive relationship and confidence in your practitioner, so give them a call, ask questions, and make sure it feels comfortable and professional.

Wishing you your subconscious best,

Kim High
Clinical Hypnotherapist 
BSc DipEd MEnv DipClinHyp NLP