Hypnotherapy at Chelsea Natural Health Clinic, Fulham Rd, SW10 with Keith Dorrington and Simon Heale
What is hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy means the use of hypnosis for the treatment and relief of a variety of somatic and psychological problems. Hypnosis is a state of deep relaxation and focused concentration. It is an altered state of consciousness into which you allow yourself to enter, with the guidance of a therapist.
You are in control all the time, you always know what is happening, and you can come out of the altered state at any time in the same way one can snap out of a vivid daydream.
Hypnotherapy can…
Hypnotherapy can help in the following areas:
- Stopping smoking
- Losing weight
- Behavioural adaptation e.g phobias, anxiety
- Stress management
- Sports and performance related issues
- Pain and psychosomatic control
How does hypnotherapy work?
Within the hypnotic state one can by-pass the barriers to our inner thoughts and feelings, and suggestions are acted upon much more powerfully than is possible in a normal state of mind.
Mental imagery can also be utilised to assist people to make changes in their lives. The subconscious mind does not distinguish between ‘real’ and ‘imagined’ experiences, which is why dreams can feel real.
This phenomenon can be used so that clients can create new positive realities for themselves or alter their perception of past events which may affect current behaviour.
What will I feel?
The hypnotic state can feel as if you are dreaming or daydreaming and is a natural form of consciousness which many people experience on a daily basis.
For example if you have ever been so absorbed in a book or a film it has felt as if you are actually there, that is a form of hypnosis, as is the experience some people have when waking in the morning being aware of everything going on around them yet still being in a very relaxed dream like state.
During trance, you know exactly where you are the entire time. You can adjust your position, sneeze or cough. You can open your eyes and bring yourself out of trance at any time you wish.
Will I be in control?
Yes. Your thoughts and choices will always remain your own and even when hypnotised, you can still reject any of the suggestions given if they are not appropriate to you.
A hypnotherapist is ethically required to make only those suggestions that support agreed-upon outcomes. Suggestions given will stimulate your inner mind to the direction you want to go.
The treatment
Each session lasts an hour. The first session may be longer. How many times you need to visit depends on the nature of the issue. Sometimes one session is suffice, and sometimes more are required.
The benefits
There is a growing body of scientific knowledge, psychoneuro-immunology, which shows that the mind is directly linked to our immune systems, meaning that techniques used in hypnotherapy can also affect our physical as well as psychological and spiritual well-being.
Hypnosis is a natural, effective way of making contact with your inner self, transforming false beliefs and helping to create new ones that will truly support your well-being.
It is estimated that approximately 85% of people of all age groups will readily respond to clinical hypnotherapy. It is often successful when other, more conventional methods of treatment have failed.
