What is hypnosis?
Hypnosis is the process of inducing a trance. It is completely safe and natural, there are no harmful side effects and is a pleasant felling of relaxation. Many people experience an involuntary hypnotic trance as it is just like daydreaming. Some examples are:
- You are driving and you can't remember the last few minutes or you pass through some traffic lights before wondering if you really looked to see if they were green.
- Someone snaps their fingers or waves their hands in front of you to bring you back to full conscious attention because you are entranced by a book or film.
- You daydreamed and wondered where your time went.
- A child's eyes glazed over as they became engrossed in a bedtime story.
- Daydreaming while performing a repetitive task such as mowing the lawn or factory work.
- You locked a door but had to go back and check because you don't remember actually doing it.
While in hypnosis our unconscious mind is more receptive to suggestions, allowing therapy at a deep and lasting level. The term is sometimes used in place of 'hypnotherapy'. This is not strictly correct as hypnosis itself does not involve therapy (therapy is what the therapist does while the client is in a hypnotic trance).
What is hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is a combination of hypnosis and therapy. Hypnosis has been dealt with above so we'll look at the 'therapy' part. Therapy deals with the mind and this has two parts - the conscious mind and the unconscious mind. We use our conscious mind when we think. It is rational and we are aware of ourselves and our thoughts. The unconscious mind is hidden beyond our awareness. In addition to its more positive aspects, it is the seat of our habits, impulses, irrational thoughts and some illnesses.
In most forms of therapy the therapist makes suggestions at a conscious level. The problem with this is that the conscious mind, whilst rational, is often defensive, challenging, overly critical, flooded by negative thinking, cynical or disbelieving of new ideas. Hypnotherapy is special. When in a trance, the clients' busy conscious mind relaxes allowing their unconscious mind to come to the fore. Now the therapist can speak to a more receptive and focused unconscious mind to create a deep-rooted and lasting change of old habits, thoughts, pains, memories, emotions, etc.
Hypnotherapy isn't something that is done to a client by a therapist. There is no magic or trickery involved. Although there are often magical moments when unexpected changes occur, for the most part, hypnotherapy is a straightforward partnership between a client that is motivated to change and a therapist that uses their skills to help the process along.
Why do people turn to hypnotherapy?
There are lots of reasons. Here are some of the common ones:
- The client has tried other therapies and they are seeking something with proven results.
- Recommendation from another person who has benefited.
- Referral from a GP or another hypnotherapist.
- The client wants to tackle unconscious problems.
- Responding to an advert that triggers the person to act on something.
- Medicine is failing the client and they want something additional or different.
What happens during the process of hypnotherapy?
First you will be invited to an initial assessment which lasts 90 minutes. This is a chance for client and therapist to get to know one another and for the therapist to find out more about the problem. The client is asked to complete a questionnaire including contact details, any medical problems, etc. Therapist and client agree the main goal e.g. to stop smoking. The initial assessment allows the therapist to formulate a plan of action for future sessions. These will be a mixture of:
- You talking about your problem/s
- The therapist asking questions
- The therapist offering hypnotic suggestions while you are hypnotised.
What does a hypnotic trance feel like?
A hypnotic trance state is pleasant, relaxing, peaceful and safe with no harmful side effects. Some people may experience mild tingling sensations, lightness or heaviness. It is so nice that some clients have sessions just for relaxation rather than therapy.
How do you feel afterwards?
Relaxed, refreshed, positive and ready for the challenges ahead.
Does hypnotherapy work?
It works for most people and most problems most of the time. It is not a magic wand or miracle cure. The idea that the therapist snaps their fingers and cures you belongs to fiction. The therapist does not 'do hypnotherapy on the client1. It is a partnership built on trust with the therapist acting as a facilitator - helping the client into a voluntary trance, offering suggestions while they are in trance and generally empowering them to achieve their goals and bring about the positive changes they desire.
How long is each session?
Each session lasts around 60 minutes. Professional hypnotherapists that value their time and their client's time are very careful about this. They manage the session carefully to ensure the client gets maximum benefit in the minimum amount of time and that the session ends appropriately.
How many sessions will I need?
This depends on the nature of the problem, whether there are lots of related problems or just one, the client's motivation, how challenging the client's goals are, and many other factors, some of which can change during the course of therapy. A definite and known number of sessions can sound appealing if you are on a budget or short of time but this can cause problems.
Experience has shown that my clients would rather have me invest in them individually and work flexibly to achieve a lasting solution. As a rough guide, however, most issues take between 3 and 6 sessions. Smoking is usually tackled in a single longer session of anything between 90 and 120 minutes. Depression can take 10 or more sessions depending on its severity. Unlike many other major psychotherapies hypnotherapy is far speedier and has a short-term approach in which beneficial change should be noticed within a few sessions.
The decision to end therapy is ideally negotiated between client and therapist. I guarantee that I will 'terminate therapy at the earliest time, commensurate with the good care and continuing welfare of the client' (National Council for Hypnotherapy ethical guidelines). Of course, the client is free to terminate therapy at any time if they choose to leave sooner.
What is the cost of each session?
Each session costs £50, however ‘Smoking Cessation’ is an extended session lasting between 90 and 120 minutes and costs £120.
How do I pay?
Payment can be made either by cash or cheque made payable to ‘Simon Hatton’. Payment is required in full at the close of each session.
Can anyone be hypnotised?
Anyone who has experienced daydreaming, being 'lost' in a good film, book, music, boring or repetitive task like mowing the lawn has already experienced a trance. It depends on the client’s willingness to be by hypnotised. This will depend on the clients trust and confidence with the therapist. The only exceptions to this are clients who have severe learning difficulties and children under the age of 5.
Can I be hypnotised against my will?
Because you always remain fully in control and are aware of what is happening no one can be hypnotised against their will. No one can be forced to do things against their will while in a hypnotic trance. Hypnosis is a completely safe and pleasant experience.
How will I know if I have experienced a trance?
All trance states vary. Some people experience profound relaxation, feelings of warmth, peace, drifting, floating, strong imagery, etc. Usually clients find themselves going deeper in subsequent sessions as you know what to expect. Any concerns usually disappear once the client realises how positive the experience is. Some people hardly notice the trance, or think they haven't entered a trance because they just felt their mind wander a little.
What if I don't experience trance?
This is not likely to happen. Even the most sceptical and analytical clients enter a trance if they want to, including people who believe they 'cannot be hypnotised'. In fact, such clients have a strong will and they can use this mind control to their advantage and choose to enter a trance when they feel ready. If a client and therapist have a good rapport and the client has trust in the therapist, a desire to enter a trance, and has ever experienced a natural trance, they can experience a hypnotic trance. A client does not have to want to relax, or be able to relax, although they might as well take time out and enjoy the process even more! The depth of trance is unimportant for most types of work I do.
Is hypnosis safe?
Hypnosis and trance are completely natural and safe - you have already undoubtedly experienced trance regularly in day-to-day life. You cannot get 'stuck' in a hypnotic state - you would naturally return to your normal state of consciousness after a short while even if the therapist walked off! You remain aware of yourself and your surroundings and you can voluntarily terminate the trance at any point. You can also speak at any time.
Only a therapist can be unsafe, which is why it is important for the public to make sure a therapist is qualified, experienced, insured, in supervision, and a member of a professional body so that they adhere to a code of ethics.
Can I have someone with me during therapy?
A parent or guardian must be present with children aged 16 or under or people with learning difficulties or certain mental health problems. If someone else is highly involved in the problem you are experiencing it can sometimes be beneficial to work with you both and this will be discussed if necessary. For almost every other scenario you should be alone.
How is hypnosis induced?
There are lots of different techniques. A common approach would be closing your eyes, breathing exercises, relaxing your muscles and then a pleasant visualised journey along a beautiful beach or up a mountain, etc. Another induction involves staring at a picture or object. All of which are harmless and pleasant!
Are drugs used?
Definitely not! It is even preferable to avoid caffeine (tea, coffee and cola) before therapy to make relaxation easier. Clients should tell their therapist (in complete confidence) if they are taking recreational or medicinal drugs.
Will I reveal personal secrets?
You remain totally in control throughout; hypnosis is not a 'truth pill'.
Can I eat and drink before sessions?
Yes. However, please avoid alcohol. It might help to avoid stimulants (caffeine) such as tea, coffee, cola (and cigarettes) to help you relax more.
What should I wear?
A client can wear whatever they feel most comfortable in. Occasionally people remove hard contact lenses if they are worried that rapid eye movements (like those you experience when falling asleep) will be uncomfortable. Most people leave them in without any problems.
Will it be distressing?
Hypnosis is a very gentle and a non-invasive process. However, some problems may mean revisiting memories or imagining things clients are fearful of in order to treat them. Client’s can stop any therapeutic technique at any time - they are always in control, even when in a trance. Sometimes even difficult material can be processed whilst remaining remarkably relaxed.
Are there any side-effects?
Only positive ones such as being more relaxed, realising your potential, problem-solving, being happier, less fearful, more content and/or sleeping better.
Where are you based?
I practise from a room inside Chapeltown Simming Baths and can also offer a mobile service and will visit you at your chosen location, this is normally your home address, if preferred. This enables you to remain in a familiar environment and helps with your relaxation.
How do you maintain confidentiality?
Client's notes and contact details are not shared with anyone. In exceptional circumstances we may be forced to by law or if it is in the client's interests because they pose an immediate danger to themselves (e.g. considering suicide) or to others (e.g. paedophilia). Therapist may discuss cases with their clinical supervisors so they can help if need be. They are bound by the same responsibility to maintain confidentiality.
Are there any people or problems you don't work with?
Therapists need to feel comfortable and safe. They would not work with someone they felt posed a risk to them. Anyone who became abusive would have therapy terminated immediately and permanently.
There are always problems that a hypnotherapist feels comfortable dealing with in terms of their knowledge, skills, personal values, etc. and other problems they are not comfortable with. If a therapist is not comfortable with a problem they refer the client on to another therapist.
Most hypnotherapists do not work with:
Children under the age of 5
Clients suffering severe mental problems where they pose a risk to us or themselves
Clients who are forced to come to sessions against their will e.g. by a partner.
Can you provide testimonials?
Some therapists provide testimonials but they shouldn't. Unfortunately, there is potential for fabrication. To combat this the Advertising Standards Authority insists that testimonials must be based on dated and signed documents that are available to be checked. Making them available for checking, however, would break client confidentiality. Even where the client agrees to marketing using their comments, the therapist's role is to provide a service to the client, not the other way around. A testimonial falsely extends the therapeutic relationship - a relationship that should end as soon as treatment ends.