What is hypnosis therapy?

Hypnosis is a unique way of changing beliefs, ideas, thoughts, and feelings, at what is commonly called a ‘subconscious’ level. The idea of the three levels of consciousness – the ID, Ego, and Superego – came from Freudian theory. Sigmund Freud believed that there were subconscious beliefs, values, and thoughts, that drove human behaviour; that these things were outside of our consciousness, yet they controlled how we thought, felt, and behaved. He believed that only through psychoanalysis (therapy), would we be able to uncover these unconscious drivers, and then be able to change them. Freud himself, used hypnotherapy in his work for some time.

There’s no empirical evidence to prove Freud's theories right or wrong. In essence, they are just theory. Much of the work in psychology during this period was based on subjective (personal) experience. Things have moved on since then, and many theories now exist, with empirical evidence to back their ideas up.

Hypnosis, or hypnotherapy, does work. How, or why, it works is still mostly a mystery. But that doesn’t change the fact that it works. My own personal belief is that it helps ‘resynchronise’ the mind, helping people ‘see’ from new perspectives; giving a broader ‘picture’ of what’s going on in a persons life. I believe hypnosis can help shut down old, unhelpful, out of date neural pathways; and generate the beginnings of new, updated, more helpful ones. This helps a person feel more hopeful, more self-aware; and empowers them to think, feel, and act from a new perspective – a more helpful perspective.

What happens during a hypnosis therapy session?

Each Hypnotherapist will have a slightly differing approach to therapy. My personal approach is to split the session into, roughly, half. The first part of the session will be geared towards talking about the challenges you are experiencing, helping you explore what’s going on. We’ll delve into experiences, feelings, and current explanations of what’s going on in your life. What we uncover during this talking part will help guide the second half of the session – the hypnosis part. This is where I’ll gently guide you into a relaxed state of tranquil hypnosis, and go to work on whatever I feel will be most beneficial for you at that time – guided by the talk beforehand of course. It might be focused on increasing self-esteem; perhaps allowing you to forgive yourself or someone else; or maybe boosting your connection with intuition so that you become more self-guided, rather than being guided by external influences (other people).

Whatever you may be struggling with at this moment in time, why not give hypnotherapy a try? It may just be the answer you’re looking for.