geoff baxter

What is Hypnotherapy?

The word Hypnosis comes from the Greek word Hypnos, which means sleep. This is slightly misleading, as hypnosis is a state of focusing of attention rather than of sleep. Hypnosis can simply be described as an altered state of consciousness such as daydreaming and the state we are in just before and after we fall asleep. As you can see we have all experienced hypnotic states and simply not realised it.

It has, however, been called different names, by different cultures, different religions, and different individuals. The use of chants, drumming, and dancing rituals to change or alter consciousness fall under the definition of hypnosis. Such methods have been used successfully by the Druids, Vikings, Indian Yogis, Dervishes, Hindu priests, and holy men of all religions and denominations for centuries. In 2600 BC, the father of Chinese medicine, Wong Tai, wrote about techniques that involved incantations and passes of the hands and accounts of what we would now call Hypnosis can also be found in the Bible, the Talmud, and The Hindu Vedas written about 1500 BC.

The best way to view hypnosis is as a state of intense relaxation and concentration in which the mind becomes remote and detached from everyday cares and concerns. In this relaxed state the subconscious part of the mind is best able to respond creatively to suggestion and imagery. It can focus on the things you wish to change and on the ways you can best do so, free from analytical or anxious thoughts.

You are, however, not asleep nor are you unconscious. You are in an altered or alternative state of consciousness in which your unconscious mind allows things to happen rather than your conscious mind trying to make them happen. Because you are deeply relaxed, the suggestions given to you by the hypnotherapist will be acted upon more easily by the subconscious.

Misconceptions about hypnosis abound. Many of these fallacies can be traced back to the unfortunate early use of not-always-ethical demonstrations of hypnosis as a form of entertainment on stage and television. The reason stage hypnotism works is due to the eagerness of the participants. The hypnotist will only choose those who appear to be highly susceptible to a test he will have performed and those who are highly susceptible will have a strong desire to participate. Clients can rest assured that when seeing a qualified hypnotherapist they remain completely in control and if a suggestion is given which seems inappropriate it is simply rejected.

What Happens?

There is no such thing as a typical hypnotherapy session as each treatment is tailored to the requirements of each client but I see the majority of clients for 4 to 8 sessions. The first session lasts about 1 1/2  hours and is mainly used to take a case history and assess your needs and goals. It is also used to allay any fears you may have and answer any questions. You will be hypnotised during the first session and although this is a very personal experience it is generally felt as a deep state of relaxation and calm. A treatment schedule is designed based on the information gathered in this first session and further sessions last for around an hour.

Who is it for?

Hypnosis is a state of deep relaxation with an altered state of awareness whereby the unconscious mind accepts positive suggestions without the interference of the conscious mind. This acceptance of suggestions can be used to stop smoking without cravings, sleep more easily, adjust eating habits, stop nail-biting and adjust many other habits. Hypnosis is also highly successful in altering behaviours such as phobias and stress and physical conditions that are made worse by stress such as high blood pressure, skin conditions, headaches/migraines and digestive disorders can also be treated. Hypnosis can also be used to help with interpersonal relationships, assertiveness, self-esteem and confidence building. For this reason it is particularly suited to the enhancement of performance, whether it be in the fields of music, sport or business.