Hypnotherapy Ipswich suffolk

What is hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic technique which gently works to reprogramme the subconscious mind. It can be used in many situations, where a person wishes to change some aspect of their life, such as unwanted habits or behaviours or simply let old emotional baggage, and finally let go of the chanson that are holding them back.

I generally use it in combination with the Emotional Freedom Technique to permanently and safely, neutralise difficult past experiences and current emotional patterns. This will help you to live a full and happier life.

It effectively treats depression, anxiety, low confidence / self-esteem, panic attacks, complex trauma, PTSD, sadness, fears and phobias, low motivation, grief, sleep problems, addictions, weight management - amongst many other things,.

How is hypnosis achieved and what does it feel like?

After a discussion which lasts around 30 minutes, I invite you to make yourself comfortable on the chair or coach. Gentle music is played in the background, and the session begins.

There are many methods of inducing a trance - the objective is to get the conscious, questioning mind to relax and take a back seat. This can be done by distracting, confusing or boring the conscious mind (have you ever been so bored by someone that you switched off? you were in a light trance state when this happened!)

The induction method I prefer to use, is progressively relaxing you in a light trance. Gently guiding your focus, limb by limb, starting at the top of the head and working down to your feet. Your breathing slows down, your mind turns inwards and the outside world fades into the background. This gives a very pleasant first impression of hypnosis, and is also a technique you can use at home, to reduce your stress levels and help get to sleep.

Progressive relaxation takes about 15 minutes and by the end of it, you will feel deeply relaxed, and in a light trance state, From here I may use a deepener, which takes you further down into relaxation. For example, I may describe a beautiful place in nature, which you've been to before, or somewhere totally imaginary. By this time you will be focusing on internal pictures, sounds and feelings and are then very deeply relaxed and receptive to positive suggestions for change.

Hypnotherapy feels similar to being in a state of deep relaxation - once a light trance has been induced, a number of things can be done:

Negative or limiting beliefs can be replaced with positive new beliefs such as "I am confident" or "Who I am is enough"
'Problems' can be reframed so that they are viewed in a different way, and no longer cause anxiety, anger or upset
Therapeutic stories can be incorporated to change the client's perspective of a situation
Self confidence and self esteem can be boosted by getting the person to see themselves through the eyes of someone who loves them

Other therapeutic ways of working with hypnosis

We may do some exploratory work - possibly going back in time, or travelling into the future... or meeting a wise advisor for advice on your issues.

We may change the way you view your problem so it is turned into an opportunity
We may destroy a fear by putting it in a balloon and letting it float away
We may box up your problems for sorting out one by one, at the pace that is right for you
We may use affirmations (positive present tense statements - e.g. I am successful!) to change your core beliefs
We may dissolve anger, pain or other painful emotions with coloured light

The above are just examples, and many different techniques are used during the sessions, depending on your needs.

Once the therapeutic work has been completed, you are counted up out of the light trance state and will 'wake up' feeling positive, optimistic and relaxed. There will be some time for you to come back fully to everyday awareness, before you leave to drive home.

Being in a light trance feels like that time when you are lying in bed, not quite awake, not quite asleep. It is a daydreamy state, where you are focused internally rather than externally.

You can think about the levels of consciousness in the following way:

Fully alert: You are taking an exam
Light trance: You are daydreaming about taking an exam
Moderate trance: You are fully imagining yourself taking an exam
Deep trance: You can feel yourself taking an exam
Sleep: You are dreaming about yourself taking an exam.

What is the difference between stage hypnotism and hypnotherapy?

Most clients who come to see me have seen some form of stage hypnotism, whether it's Paul McKenna or someone else. Whilst these shows are good for raising the profile of hypnotherapy, and providing proof that it does work, it does create some apprehension in people.

You will be pleased to hear that hypnotherapy is much more dignified than what you may have seen on the TV. You lie down on a couch or lean-back chair, and gently relax into an altered state of awareness. There is no squawking like a chicken required!

The main difference between the two uses of this tool is the intention behind it.

The work hypnotherapists do is entirely therapeutic. This means it is carried out 100% for the benefit of the wellbeing of the client. People visit a hypnotherapist because they have something they want to change in their lives.

Stage hypnotism is carried out for entertainment. People who allow themselves to be hypnotised in a show, know what's involved and are happy to proceed on those terms.

It is important to note that in both cases the full consent and cooperation of the person who is hypnotised is required for it to work. People CANNOT be hypnotised without their consent.

Is there anyone who can't be hypnotised?

Certain drugs and mental conditions may interfere with hypnosis. Your medical history will be discussed before the first treatment, and if necessary you will be asked to provide a consent letter from your doctor.

Everyone else who is fit and well, and not on certain medication can be hypnotised.

Working with GPs

For many people it is not necessary to contact their GP before having hypnotherapy. However where appropriate, I encourage clients to tell their doctor they are receiving treatment, for example in a case of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. In some cases, I may suggest an alternative treatment - which may be more beneficial for you.

Hypnotherapy is a complementary therapy. This means it works alongside allopathic medicine - and not instead of it. Whilst undergoing hypnotherapy or any complementary treatment, you must continue taking all medication until you have the consent and supervision of your doctor to reduce / stop it.

Hypnotherapy versus counselling

Hypnotherapy has an element of counselling in it. The first part of all sessions give the client a chance to talk through anything that has happened or they have been feeling since their last session. Talking is therapeutic to a point - as the saying goes, a problem shared is a problem halved.

However, unlike counselling, hypnotherapy is solution focused, and each session uses techniques to move the client closer to their goals. Hypnotherapy starts with the belief: You are here... and you want to get to here. Let's look at how we can achieve that. Counselling starts with: You are here... lets talk about this and see if it changes. In my experience, the more you focus on your problems, the bigger they get.

If you would like to know more, and help to decide whether this treatment is right for you, I offer a free no-oblogation call or Zoom/Skype chat - prior to a first session, to answer any questions, and listen to what you would like help with. I can then bok you in if you decide I am a good fit for you. Please call me on 07780 612625 or email rachel@epiphanie.co.uk to book an informal chat. I offer hypnotherapy from my studio just outside Ipswich.

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Hypnotherapy Ipswich

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