What Happens During a Clinical Hypnosis Session?

Many people have completely the wrong idea about hypnosis, fearing that they will lose control, be made to do or say things against their will or worry that they might stay in hypnotic trance. I want to alleviate your fears and describe a typical clinical hypnosis session.

First of all, if you have ever seen a stage hypnosis show, you might have seen people do or say silly and embarrassing things. Remember that people volunteer to go on stage so know they will be asked to make exhibitionists of themselves. Some shows are X-rated but most shows are good, clean family fun. I used to hold a negative view of stage hypnosis but now offer a fun show, either as a complete show or as a demonstration for clubs and companies as an introduction to clinical hypnosis.

During stage hypnosis, the hypnotist will give individuals messages to tell them to do or say funny things but all suggestions will be removed before the end of the show and people return to normal, usually wanting to buy a DVD of the show to see how they performed. Clients go to a clinical hypnotist for help with a particular problem eg to stop smoking, lose weight, overcome a fear or phobia, increase self-confidence, improve a sport, alleviate pain, a health condition or deal with an addiction. Some specialise in specific conditions but most help with a wide variety of issues.

A professional hypnotist will carry out a detailed consultation asking questions about your lifestyle and the background to the issue. They will then describe the experience of hypnosis so that you understand that it is a perfectly natural, everyday state which we all know. If you are engrossed in a film on TV and someone calls you, you might not hear them. If they call again, louder, they will bring your attention back in the room. When you are engrossed, you are in a state of trance ie altered awareness. You cannot be in this state unless you are relaxed mentally and physically. You see, it is a state you already know and frequently experience.

There may be a test of suggestibility eg the hands clasp or rising and falling arms. A quick result will mean that you make a good subject for hypnosis. Lack of result or a slow result does not mean that you cannot be hypnotized but simply that you might take longer and require a lengthier induction process.

An induction is the talking to lead you into a hypnotic state. Very rarely a hypnotist will use a pendulum like a swinging crystal or ask you to stare at a flickering candle. This simply tires the eye muscles so that you want to close your eyes and start relaxing. If this is the first time you have been hypnotized, or if you are stressed and tense, you may need an induction lasting several minutes. However, there is no fast rule. If you are highly motivated to achieve a result, you may enter quickly into trance. There are fast induction methods which can put a subject into a deep state in a matter of seconds! The main objective here is to have you close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Once your body is relaxed, you will be asked to visualize a scene which serves to distract and relax your mind. This might be a beach, a lake, a meadow or garden.

Next a deepener to deepen the relaxed state which usually asks you to visualize walking slowly downstairs or going down in a lift. The emphasis is on going “down, deeper”.

Remember that no one can put you into hypnosis against your will as all hypnosis is self-hypnosis and you will only go into this state when it is safe for you to do so, never when operating machinery or driving a car.

For treating many of the reasons why people come to a clinical hypnotist, some ego strengthening or confidence-boosting is necessary. Sometimes we have been told “we can’t” for so long that we need to believe “we can”. We focus on being calm, relaxed and confident. Specific techniques will then follow to help overcome your issue, your habit, health problem, phobia, addiction or just to strengthen your confidence. There are many techniques involved in clinical hypnosis and your success will depend on the training, skill and experience of the practitioner. Having said that, even someone who is newly qualified can achieve good results.

I shall also mention two specific areas: regression and parts therapy. Regression uses visualization to take you back to an earlier time to identify the cause of a problem or to re-write a negative association. Parts integration deals with incongruencies when you say, “Part of me.... but part of me....”

You may also be taught self-hypnosis which is a very useful skill to use throughout your life in many situations. You may be given specific post-hypnotic suggestions or triggers to reinforce a new positive behaviour.

Simple issues can be dealt with in a single session but most require 2-5 sessions. Your hypnotist will discuss this at the first session. Weight loss may require many sessions over a period of time. It is most important that you be realistic and commit to the full course if you want a long-lasting successful outcome. Think of learning to drive, a new language, a skill and expecting success by just attending the first couple of lessons. You will have a little knowledge but not enough to be competent. So it is with hypnosis. Don’t expect a magic wand. This is the most powerful tool on the planet for fast, life-changing results but only if you commit to the recommended course.

Finally, time distorts in hypnosis so you might be surprised to find that what feels like a few minutes was actually much longer. The other benefit of hypnosis is that 30 minutes can refresh you as much as a night of good sleep. So, positive, life-enhancing results, a calm relaxed feeling and extra vitality. Sounds wonderful.

© Antonia Harrison 2011. Antonia Harrison is the English Clinical Hypnotist in Belgium specializing in stopping smoking, controlling alcohol consumption, overcoming the fear of public speaking and phobias. She is a competent public speaker and rid herself of a life-long spider phobia. She also gave birth twice without conventional pain control using self-hypnosis for low pain childbirth without tearing or bruising. http://www.HypnotherapyBelgium.com

Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy to treat Tinnitus

"All physical diseases including cancer, heart disease and even skin complaints have been helped with Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy. Several reports have concluded that psychological factors should be taken into account in the treatment and management of tinnitus(1).The power of suggestion and mental imagery is a tool all too often overlooked but it can be of help. We found one study conducted in England which concluded that over one third of tinniutus sufferers who were given hypnotherapy found it helpful. The report concluded that hypnotherapy "seemed to help them tolerate their tinnitus better, although loudness and quality were unaltered." (2)."

(1) Is tinnitus a psychological disorder? Gerber KE; Nehemkis AM; Charter RA; Jones HC Int J Psychiatry Med (UNITED STATES) 86 1985, 15 (1) p81-7 Tinnitus--incidence and handicap. Lindberg P; Lyttkens L; Melin L; Scott B Scand Audiol (SWEDEN) 1984, 13 (4) p287-91
(2) A controlled trial of hypnotherapy in tinnitus. Marks NJ; Karl H; Onisiphorou C Clin Otolaryngol (ENGLAND) Feb 1985, 10 (1) p43-6

I helped one woman in the UK who heard a different noise in each ear. By teaching her self-hypnosis, she was able to turn down the volume control of each noise and so make the condition more bearable. Learning to relax was of course hugely beneficial in itself. A hypnosis MP3 download to help cope with tinnitus is available.

Antonia Stuart-James is an English Hypnotherapist in Belgium helping people to make positive change.

Things to help avoid stress

If you are starting to deal with stress, you are going to need to find some ways to avoid it. You need to find ways to help you feel more relaxed throughout your day and to deal with the problems that can occur at any time.

When you feel stressed, practice taking long deep breaths. This will help to calm you down throughout the day and to get your thinking back on track so that you can get through the moment with a clarity and calmness.

When you are at work, you need to leave your desk or station and take breaks. You can do this at different points throughout the day. When you start to feel the pressures kicking in, you may need to get up and walk away. It is important to go and take a walk or go outside for some fresh air. Give yourself time to gather your thoughts and take time for yourself.

Taking plenty of exercise is very important. You will need to make sure that you take the right amount of exercise that will help you feel good about your body and it will also help to clear your mind from stress that can build up. Eating right is very smart too. You need to eat a balanced diet that will give you the essential nutrients that your body is going to need.

Do not drink too much caffeine. You can have your coffee in the morning but do not over exceed your limits. This stimulant can bring the stress on even more. Do not depend on drugs and alcohol to help you relax. This can only cause more problems because it can become a crutch for the person to lean on.

You need to have good management and organization skills. When you are prepared and organized, you are going to have an easier time managing your day and your schedule. You need to look at things positively. You should not have a negative outlook on life. Keeping a good and positive outlook is necessary for a good view on life.

Find the humour in life. You should not take everything so serious. Do not be afraid to laugh and have fun in your daily life. You should not bury your emotions. Keep a good light on things and do not be afraid to let people know how you are feeling whether you agree with their thoughts or not.

Learning self-hypnosis can help a person cope with stress along with other aspects of stress management.

Antonia Stuart-James is an English Hypnotherapist in Belgium helping people to make change and manage stress.

How does stress affect the body?

Having stress can affect the body in many ways. It is something that can bring emotional and physical problems to the body so a person should take the appropriate steps to deal with it.

There are many ways that stress can harm the body. The release of chemicals called catecholamine from brain will include hormones that include adrenaline and epinephrine. A person may feel an increase in their heart rate and blood pressure. This will occur when the body is feeling the stress and their lungs and heart are going to work harder. The rate of breathing will increase and the lungs will take in more oxygen.

The blood flow increases to get the body ready for other demands that stress brings on. A person will probably have dryness of the mouth. Blood flow will decrease to areas that are less important for basic survival and this will include the mouth. The cause of dryness of the mouth will mean that a person will have a hard time talking and swallowing.

The skin can become clammy as the blood flow is diverted to vital organs and muscles. You will feel hot or cold when this happens and you may have feelings of hot flashes as well. You will also find that digesting food is more difficult and you may experience stomach problems like nausea or cramps.

Having long-term stress can lead to physical or psychological damage to the body. Stress develops slowly into more serious problems, which can include anxiety disorders or depression. This is when a person will feel lonely and disgusted with their body and will not want to be around any other people. When this is the case, it is time for them to get the help that they need to cope with their stress. This is the only way that they can get rid of the stress that is ruining their lives.

Stress can make a person push their loved ones away. It can affect personal relationships and make it hard for people to want to be around you. Some people will get irritable and upset over the smallest thing. They will get angry easily and find themselves yelling at the people that they love the most. This is a normal side effect of stress but it can be helped and a person can start to feel like themselves again with a little help and understanding.

Learning self-hypnosis can help a person cope with stress along with other aspects of stress management.

Antonia Stuart-James is an English Hypnotherapist in Belgium helping people to make change and manage stress.