West London Counselling and Hypnotherapy
Bridget Rattigan

What is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy accesses the power of your unconscious mind to make you happier, healthier and to help you build a better life.

How does hypnotherapy work?
You will be guided into a state of deep physical and mental relaxation which reduces any stress or tension. In this relaxed state you are more open to change and transformation.

While in hypnosis you will still be aware of your surroundings and you can choose to come out of hypnosis at any time. You will be able to speak and move and will be in control of what is happening to you. At the end of the session you will be gently returned to a normal waking state.

Can everyone be hypnotised?
People experience different levels of trance (deep relaxation). For most purposes a light trance is sufficient for hypnotherapy to be effective.

Number of treatments
In the initial consultation the presenting issue and number of recommended sessions will be discussed and agreed. For most issues at least 3 to 4 treatments are required for maximum effectiveness.

Among many other things hypnotherapy can help you:

Stop smoking

Overcome stress

Improve relationships

Cure phobias

Banish fear of flying

Build confidence

Ease childbirth

Enhance learning and creativity

Habits and Phobias
Most unwanted habits and phobias occur because of difficult experiences we have not been able to come to terms with. When we feel bad we will often reach for food or cigarettes or alcohol, or we carry out repetitive rituals. We may also avoid the situation that bothers us to such an extent that we can develop a phobia (a fear of water or of flying for instance). However we may not remember the initial sensitising event - the event that triggered the unwanted behaviour - and may not know what exactly is making us anxious, afraid or perhaps angry. We may not even realise how we feel because eating, drinking and activity can help suppress the feelings.

Creating better outcomes
Hypnosis helps you go back to the initial event that caused the unwanted behaviour so that your mind, and in some instances your body, can heal. You can create a different ending so that your unconscious mind, instead of reacting with fear, is strengthened by success. Professor Elizabeth Loftus (University of Washington) has shown that the power of your imagination to change your perception of reality is immense. To your unconscious mind there is little difference whether an event is really happening or whether you are imagining it happening. Therefore the ending of a traumatic event can be changed under hypnosis so that your unconscious mind remembers a positive outcome instead of a negative one. Hypnosis can desensitise you around the triggering event so it no longer affects you.

Turning negatives into positives
You may want specific symptom resolution such as overcoming a fear of flying, or habit-breaking such as stopping smoking. Or you may wish to resolve a more vague discomfort perhaps around success (or failure) or relationships. You may wish to prepare effectively for a more relaxed experience of childbirth. You may wish to become more confident, happier and more decisive. Hypnosis is effective in both helping you overcome negative feelings and generating positive ones. It can be extremely useful for strengthening your conscious mind in positive ways. Rossi (1996) suggests that the profound changes that can come about during hypnosis may lead to positive long term changes in brain chemistry.

Developing your inner guidance
Hypnosis can also give you the opportunity to pay attention to your inner wisdom and develop a strong inner guidance system so that you know what you want and are open to intuitive insights about how to achieve it.

Achieving your potential
Hypnosis can also improve learning, concentration, presentation skills and enhance your creativity. It is not just about overcoming problems but also about becoming all you can be so you can feel fully alive and reach your full potential.


For more information on hypnotherapy please try:

www.general-hypnotherapy-register.com
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