Clinical Hypnosis
WHAT IS CLINICAL HYPNOSIS?
Clinical Hypnosis is an induced state of mental concentration, accessed by relaxation and visualisation techniques practised by trained and accredited hypnotherapists. In everyday life, a similar state of mind, which could be known as a trance state, is experienced naturally, for example through daydreaming, intense concentration, or very focused attention.
ROLE OF A HYPNOTHERAPIST AND TEACHING SELF-HYPNOSIS
The hypnotherapist simply utilises the trance state to pass on beneficial bespoke suggestions, which are discussed prior to hypnosis, and then practiced by the client independently via self-hypnosis. The therapist provides instructions and guides the client to refocus their mind on specific thoughts, ideas, images, and feelings. This is a similar approach to CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), where the client is also encouraged to take responsibility for their progress by practicing discussed and learnt techniques. Frequent practice of those techniques during the Clinical Hypnosis sessions, but also between the sessions is the key driving force behind a client achieving self-improvement. The various tools of Clinical hypnosis are effectively helping the client to become their own therapist.
Clinical Hypnosis can be used to tackle anxiety (including performance anxiety, social anxiety, health anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, various phobias and panic disorder), chronic and psychosomatic pain (including, post-traumatic contractures of the hand, psychogenic dysphonia, IBS – irritable bowel syndrome, unexplained palpitations, chest pains and tension headaches), and habit disorders (including drug addiction, smoking, gambling, over-eating, binge drinking and eating as well as alcoholism).
Clinical Hypnosis can also help those individuals who are battling grief, hypertension, insomnia, cancer, tinnitus, self-esteem issues, anger and depression.
WHAT DO WE TARGET AND UTILISE DURING HYPNOTHERAPY?
At the beginning of therapy, the therapist will collect information regarding the client’s presenting problem and its history including the client’s coping management. The goal of the therapy and a flexible strategy to achieve it can then be established.
Clinical Hypnosis helps individuals to identify and address their limiting beliefs, which are held in the unconscious part of the mind. During hypnosis metabolism, breathing, and heartbeat slow down, the brain produces so called ‘alpha waves’. These are brain waves associated with calm, receptive states, which helps promote relaxation to aid the formation of more flexible, realistic and achievable perceptions. The client then learns to utilise those newly required perceptions in everyday life via behavioural homework.
Clinical Hypnotherapists working from Ongea Practices: