Frequently Asked Questions
Most people's reasons for not trying Hypnotherapy are unfounded. Please read on to have your mind put at ease. If you have a question that is not listed here, then please do not hesitate to contact me.
- Can anyone be hypnotised?
- Can I learn self-hypnosis? Is it safe?
- How do you hypnotise somebody?
- Can I be made to forget things during the session?
- Is it good for performance enhancement?
- Is there anybody who should not be hypnotised?
- How does it work?
- What is hypnosis anyway?
- What does it feel like to be hypnotised?
- Will I be asleep?
- Will I be aware of what's happening?
- Can you make people do things they don't want to?
- Can hypnosis be used to control people?
- Can hypnosis make me tell all my secrets?
- Can you get 'stuck' in hypnosis?
- Is hypnosis dangerous in any way?
- Is Hypnotherapy like Stage Hypnosis?
- What is the difference between Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy?
- How long does a cure produced by Hypnotherapy actually last?
- Does it always work?
- How long does it take to produce a successful result?
- Do people really go into a trance? If so, how deep? Are you in any way unconscious?
- Can somebody's mind be too strong to be hypnotised?
- Can anybody learn to be a Hypnotist, or is it a special gift?
- What is a Bio-Feedback Meter? Is it safe?
- What is Past Life Regression Therapy?
- Do I have to go ahead with the therapy once I have been for the 'Free Initial Consultation'?
- How many sessions will I need?
- How long does each session last?
- My problem is not listed on your website, what should I do now?
- How do I know that I am in safe hands?
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Can anyone be hypnotised?
Yes, more or less, providing the person wants to be hypnotised - as all hypnosis is self-hypnosis, and the Hypnotherapist only guides the client into the hypnotic state. The exceptions are: people who are educationally subnormal or suffering from senility, very young children, hard drug-addicts, and anybody under the influence of large amounts of alcohol.
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Can I learn self-hypnosis? Is it safe?
Yes, it is a completely safe and natural process. When I feel it is appropriate, I teach my clients how to do self-hypnosis. It very much depends on the client, and the problem I am working with. Self-hypnosis is an excellent skill to learn, as it can really help with many things including managing stress levels, increasing self-confidence, motivation and energy. Please let me know if you would like to be taught this valuable skill.
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How do you hypnotise somebody?
There are many different methods that can be used e.g. Swinging Pendulum, Strobe Lights, Rotating Spirals etc. However, the most common is by Voice Induction, and this is the method that I prefer to use. Usually, I speak in a slow, soothing way in order to guide my client into hypnosis, so that I can work directly with his subconscious mind. I will often read from a script when I do this part of the session. There is no special way of speaking, no incantations or magical words. Mostly, the client closes his eyes fairly soon into the session but it is possible to be hypnotised with your eyes open. I may ask permission to employ the use of touch in some way, as part of the process (e.g. wrists and hands) but will only proceed if the client is comfortable with this.
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Can I be made to forget things during the session?
No, absolutely not. You cannot actually make anybody do anything that they don't want to do when they are in hypnosis. Hypnosis holds no power over anybody, and cannot be used to control another person in any way whatsoever.
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Is it good for performance enhancement?
Hypnotherapy really surpasses other therapies when it comes to working with performance enhancement of all types. Some of the many things it can make profound improvement with are:
- Sporting performance
- Career matters
- Memory and concentration
- Stage performance
- Study
- Driving
- Exams and tests
- Presentation/speaking skills
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Is there anybody who should not be hypnotised?
To a large extent, it really depends on the sort of therapy being used. Some say that anybody suffering from epilepsy should never be hypnotised but there is no hard evidence to prove that hypnosis has ever triggered an epileptic fit. Care definitely needs to be taken with psychotic individuals, and Regression/Analytical Therapy should definitely not be used. This type of therapy is also best avoided with pregnant women and heart attack/stroke victims.
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How does it work?
Over the years, there has been much speculation and theory as to how hypnosis actually works. All that can really be said, is that this truly amazing phenomenon allows us to bypass the conscious critical faculty, providing us with a 'gateway' to the subconscious mind.
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What is hypnosis anyway?
Again this is a difficult question to answer. Some people believe it is nothing more than 'social compliance' (doing what you believe you should be doing), whereas others are adamant it is an altered state of consciousness. There is no scientifically measurable change in brave wave patterns during hypnosis compared with normal consciousness. When an individual is hypnotised he usually feels very relaxed, although this isn't always the case. Often he will feel as if he is half asleep, and then at the exact moment that he opens his eyes (at the end of the session), there is sometimes an awareness that for a split second 'something had been different'.
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What does it feel like to be hypnotised?
Well actually, there really is no such thing as a 'hypnotised feeling' - which is why afterwards, most people insist that they simply did not 'go under', and can't have been hypnotised. Generally, people start to become more relaxed, and their conscious mind starts to drift off in a pleasant sort of way. After a few sessions, people start to become aware of how the hypnotic state feels to them. Some people may notice that they feel excessively heavy or light, whilst others may experience a pleasant floating, whirling and/or spinning sensation. Most people always suffer some sort of time distortion, usually feeling that the session was much shorter than it actually was.
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Will I be asleep?
No, but most people usually feel quite relaxed. During hypnosis, you are in a heightened state of mental awareness, therefore you are more alert and better able to focus.
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Will I be aware of what's happening?
You will remain fully alert and aware throughout the entire session. If anything, most people find that their senses are heightened during this process.
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Can you make people do things they don't want to?
Stage Hypnotists do lead us to believe that this is possible, and indeed some Hypnotherapists do still believe this myth. However, in my opinion (and that of most ethical, reputable Hypnotherapists) nobody can be made to do anything that they do not want to do. Yes, people do often do things that they would not normally do but this doesn't mean they didn't want to do them in the first place. Maybe they just didn't have the confidence! It is a fact that hypnosis lowers a person's inhibition. As for Stage Hypnosis, let's remember that the person did choose to be a volunteer - so he did have an idea that he may end up prancing around the stage, clucking like a chicken or doing some other type of harmless stunt to entertain the audience. He knows exactly what he is doing, he may just lead you to believe otherwise to save himself the embarrassment!
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Can hypnosis be used to control people?
No absolutely not, see the answer above. Please remember that you always remain in complete control throughout the session.
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Can hypnosis make me tell all my secrets?
You retain complete control throughout the session, and only tell me the information you want to. Having said that, I must point out that the more open and honest you are with me, the more beneficial it will be to your therapy. Rest assured, I am always completely non-judgemental, and nothing shocks or embarrasses me!
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Can you get 'stuck' in hypnosis?
No, definitely not. If you were listening to a Self-Hypnosis CD, and suddenly it went off, you could simply get up and check the stereo or decide to leave it and continue relaxing until you felt like bringing yourself out of hypnosis.
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Is hypnosis dangerous in any way?
No, not at all. It is a totally safe and natural state of mind that we go in and out of on a daily basis when reading, watching television, driving etc. Even if you had the misfortune to fall into the hands of a non-trained or poorly trained operator, nothing serious could happen to you.
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Is Hypnotherapy like Stage Hypnosis?
No. Stage Hypnosis is used purely for entertainment purposes, whereas Hypnotherapy is used to help clients make positive, long-term changes in their lives. The only similarity is that the hypnosis used is exactly the same, although most people find this fact hard to accept. Please see Roy Hunter's section on my Additional Resources page for the full story (under the heading: 'Hypnotherapy can help you...').
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What is the difference between Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy makes changes to the subconscious mind by working with the conscious mind, whereas Hypnotherapy is able to work directly with the subconscious mind through the use of hypnosis. This is why Hypnotherapy tends to produce results much faster than Psychotherapy, and a lot of other therapies. Having said that, it also greatly depends on the client, some respond better to a particular type of therapy than others.
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How long does a cure produced by Hypnotherapy actually last?
This depends greatly on how much change has been brought about in the first place. When a change is made to a flawed fundamental belief system, the results will be permanent and last a lifetime. However, if only superficial changes are made, the result may be short lived, and last only a few days or weeks. This can sometimes be the case when the wrong type of therapy is applied e.g. when Suggestion Therapy is used but Analytical Therapy would have been more appropriate. Analytical therapy addresses the underlying cause(s) of the client's problem, and it is always better to find the root cause before carrying out any type of suggestion work. However, please do bear in mind that not all Hypnotherapists are Hypnoanalysts, and some do only use 'Suggestion Therapy'. If in doubt, always ask, and find out if you can see proof of their qualifications and training. Hypnoanalysis is the crème de la crème of all therapies because it produces permanent, life-long change. Having said that, sometimes Suggestion Therapy is all that is required. A reputable Hypnotherapist will always be honest with you, and if he is unable to provide you with the type of therapy that would be best for you, then he should refer you on. I am properly trained, and qualified to work with both methods.
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Does it always work?
No, no more than any other form of medicine, complementary or orthodox. A responsible Therapist will soon detect when it is not going to work, and discharge that client so that he can seek the help he requires elsewhere. This is important, as it may just be that the 'client/therapist mix' is not as good as it could be, and another Hypnotherapist may produce the desired result. This is also why the 'Free Initial Consultation' is so important, as this is the time when the client and therapist can decide if they will be able to work well together. If I feel that this isn't the case, then I will refer you on before you incur any costs.
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How long does it take to produce a successful result?
This depends on far too many factors to make a definite statement, as each client's therapy is unique. Having said that, I will give you a rough idea at your 'Free Initial Consultation', once I have decided on the type of therapy I am going to use. It can be as few as one session for a simple problem, to as many as ... well, that depends on the ethics and skills of the Therapist involved. A responsible, properly trained Therapist like me will not keep the client in therapy for longer than is absolutely necessary.
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Do people really go into a trance? If so, how deep? Are you in anyway unconscious?
I don't actually like using the word 'trance' because it is easily misunderstood. However, it is used
by many Hypnotherapists, and technically, the hypnotised individual is in a trance. The individual is not
aware of this state though, any more than he is when he is intently watching something on television or
engrossed in a good book to the point that he doesn't hear someone talking to him.
Both of these examples are almost identical to the hypnotic trance state because the individual is only aware
of the object of interest. It is most definitely not the trance you see on films and television, where people
are glassy eyed with no idea of where they are or what they are doing. The depth of trance varies from one
person to another, and it is often considered to be fairly unimportant from the therapy point of view. You
are not unconscious in any way, unless you go to sleep, which is not unknown! Then, you would simply wake
up when the Hypnotherapist asks you to.
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Can somebody's mind be too strong to be hypnotised?
No, the stronger the mind, the better! This is because the person has an enhanced ability to focus and concentrate, making it easier to achieve the hypnotic state. Remember though ... you can only be hypnotised if you want to be, as all hypnosis is self-hypnosis. The people who claim that they 'can't be hypnotised because their minds are too strong', are usually just frightened, and often make the best subjects of all! It isn't difficult to resist hypnosis but getting into the state does require mental work!
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Can anybody learn to be a Hypnotist, or is it a special gift?
There is no special gift ... anyone can learn to be a Hypnotist! However, it has to be said that some people are better at practising 'the art' than others, just as with any other skill. The part which requires the real work is knowing how best to apply the skill with each individual client, and applying the relevant knowledge and expertise for the 'therapy' part of the equation.
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What is a Bio-Feedback Meter? Is it safe?
A Bio-Feedback Meter is simply a way of keeping an eye on the internal states of an individual e.g. anxiety (that otherwise, the Hypnotherapist may not be aware of). The modern Bio-Feedback Meter has an electronic display, and operates via lightweight electrodes connected to two adjacent finger tips. There is little or no awareness of these after a few minutes, and this is completely safe. You can use it on yourself to measure your own ability to relax, or as many Hypnotherapists do, to monitor their clients levels of relaxation during the session. These meters work on the same principle as a Lie Detector, by measuring the activity of the central nervous system. I use one almost all the time.
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What is Past Life Regression Therapy?
Theoretically, it is a look back to a lifetime experienced earlier in history - this can be thousands of years earlier, or maybe only a short while back, just before the current life-span began. It is claimed that there is a therapeutic value in such experiences, in that they may account for certain psychological difficulties in an individual's current life. Numerous attempts have been made to prove the validity of various PLRs, but this has never been achieved - there has always been the possibility of the experience being nothing more than the recall of a long forgotten memory from childhood in THIS LIFE. Many experimenters go to great lengths to point out that they DO NOT CLAIM that a PLR is evidence of a previous existence for the individual concerned, only an awareness of a set of circumstances that occurred before that individual was born.
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Do I have to go ahead with the therapy once I have been for the 'Free Initial Consultation'?
No, there is no obligation whatsoever.
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How many sessions will I need?
Each client's therapy is unique, therefore it is very hard to state a definitive number of sessions. Having said that, I will give you a rough guide at your 'Free Initial Consultation' once I have decided on the type of therapy I am going to use, as explained in The Therapy webpage.
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How long does each session last?
Sessions are based on a 50 minute hour (which is general industry standard practice), therefore clients should allow an hour at most for their session. Like all good Therapists, when I feel that a little extra time is needed, then I will give it. Please bear this in mind should you find yourself waiting a few minutes longer to start your appointment. I appreciate your patience, and will get to you as soon as possible. More information can be found on the The Therapy webpage.
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My problem is not listed on your website, what should I do now?
I treat a wide variety of conditions but it simply isn't possible to list them all on my website. Please contact me on (01245) 444105 / 07734 059610 or send me an e-mail so that I can address your question personally.
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How do I know that I am in safe hands?
My first priority is always my client. I work in a client-centred way, to ensure that
each client receives the best possible therapy for his particular problem and symptom, in a
swift and timely manner. I am therefore bound by a Strict Code of Ethics by my professional
membership to the 'Association for Professional Hypnosis and Psychotherapy'.
Please visit
www.aphp.co.uk/ethics.php for further information.
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