How does hypnotherapy work?
Will hypnotherapy work for me?
What is Solution Focused Hypnotherapy?
What can hypnotherapy help with?
These are common questions I get asked as a Solution Focused Hypnotherapist.
The answers are very simple....
How does hypnotherapy work?
Here comes the science bit! Yes it is based on science ..
From a scientific perspective, changes in conscious awareness can be demonstrated using Electroencephalography or EEG, which is a method of recording electrical energy in the brain.
Pic: Our brain patterns during waking awareness before trance with beta activity showing a full alert mental state
Our brain wave activity changes all the time, particularly as we enter different phases or when we go to sleep.
Pic: An EEG of the brain during hypnosis. You can see the beta brain wave activity are almost non-existent but more alpha and theta activity wave activity showing deep levels of relaxation.
When I use guided relaxation and mental imagery or metaphors it can encourage you to go into a trance state, which causes a natural shift in our brainwave patterns. This means that we might shift from being in a fully alert mental state (like when we are hectic and busy working during the day - as shown by beta brain wave activity) into other states. As we are guided into deeper levels of relaxation, the brain demonstrates more alpha and theta wave activity, where we feel calmer and more relaxed but can also visualise images and reflect on different ideas that may be useful and helpful to us.
During the therapy sessions we combine psychotherapy with hypnosis and this is why Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can be so beneficial, because it combines powerful solution-focused discussions, followed by an encouraging, relaxing trance state so that the ideas and solutions discussed beforehand can then be explored and utilised by the brain for positive benefit.
Will hypnotherapy work for me?
Yes it will and here is why ...
I use a specific structure and combine this with helping clients understand how the brain works, in combination with using trance, there is no need to delve or ‘dig’ into a client’s past. It is just not deemed necessary to help the client formulate plans and hopes for how to move forward with their lives, resulting in very positive therapy sessions with quicker results than most other talking therapies.
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is a type of talking therapy that combines psychotherapy with hypnosis or trance.
Trance is a very natural, relaxed state where your mind comes together and can relax and then focus on thoughts that might be useful whilst quietening down the ‘noise’ that our busy lives produce. We naturally go in and out of trance many times a day some people will know it as “day-dreaming”, when we are staring off into space, our mind is in a relaxed state and we experience changes in our conscious awareness. During this time our sub conscious mind is helping us process thoughts and information that will be useful to us, this state of consciousness allows us to relax, reflect and consolidate information and is a vital part of our human existence.
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is backed up by science and research and focuses on reducing stress to allow for change to be possible. It uses practical, structured and well researched strategies to help people make positive significant changes in their lives whilst working relatively quickly.
I work with my clients to support, guide, enable and encourage them to resolve their issues that prompted them to seek help in the first instance. What can hypnotherapy help with?
At its heart, Solution Focused Hypnotherapy focuses on the present and the future and NOT on the past. As such I will always ask clients to consider their preferred future, for instance asking solution-orientated questions such as: “what would be better if the problem had improved?” or “What would have changed?”. This enables my clients to think of possible solutions that become more obvious and gives my client a goal to work towards. Hypnosis itself reduces anxiety, and this is done very simply through relaxation and visualisation, allowing the client to focus on the positive aspects of their life which in turn that encourages a shift in perspective. We can't always change the circumstances in which we find ourselves but changing our perspective is entirely possible. Through working with my clients in a collaborative way I, as a Solution Focused Hypnotherapist, can also help individuals experiencing confidence and self-esteem issues. It can also help in addressing aspects and symptoms of stress, low mood, anxiety (including panic attacks), and it also helps people to cope better with physical issues such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), certain chronic pain conditions and menopause and can help when we experience life changes such as empty nesters, divorce and/or grief.
Specific phobias such as fear of spiders, water, flying, and public speaking can also be minimised, along with painful memories and traumatic experiences. Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is a very powerful tool in your journey to mental wellness and allowing yourself to Find your Freedom and thrive.
If you would like to discover more of how Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help contact me for a free initial consultation
I will be happy to help broaden your understanding of how hypnotherapy works, what hypnotherapy can help with and why hypnotherapy works so effectively.