What to Expect When You Visit Me
If you've already read Spot the Difference in the Hypnosis section, you will be pleased to hear that there is a world of difference between the stage hypnotist and the hypnotherapist besides their job title.
The stage hypnotist is a skilled user of 'razzamatazz' and relies heavily on the confidence of his approach, showmanship, and the willingness of his subjects to perform simple 'tasks'.
On the other hand, as a clinical hypnotherapist, I rely on my knowledge of the human psyche, a caring and compassionate manner, an understanding of the phenomena surrounding hypnosis, and a client who is prepared to accept help with change.
We both use the same tool of hypnosis, but apply it differently. The showbiz use is like using your best kitchen knife to scrape paint off a wall. Sure it works, but it isn't what it was intended for, and not only are you not getting the most out of the implement, but also you are also giving yourself extra washing up.
On a typical first appointment, I will start by asking you questions to establish not only what your problem is, but also where you want to be in your life after the therapy is completed. This is vitally important as you could end up where I think you want to be or where I think you should be. It also focuses your mind so you end up where you want to be and not where you vaguely thought it might be nice to be.
Having gathered all the required information, I will, before the next session (if you wish to proceed) set to work on a programme of therapy designed specifically for you, which will take however long it takes. For example, the quit smoking therapy takes three sessions. But, however many sessions it will take, you will be told before the therapy begins, so you can decide whether or not to go ahead. However, as this is only the first session, I will next take you into a state of light hypnosis and give you what is known as an 'ego strengthener', which allows you to experience the kind of thing I do and help you decide if hypnotherapy is for you. At this point, you will have just had the free consultation session, so you can be assured that you will only make payment after you have agreed to the terms of the therapy.
When I take you into hypnosis, I then deepen that hypnosis until the required level for therapy is obtained.
How do I know when the required level is obtained? Well, without giving away any trade secrets, there are certain physical signs given off by people in hypnosis, although not all people give off all of the signs all of the time, but I will observe you and when I've seen two or three complimentary signs, the therapy can begin.
Although I can observe outward signs of hypnosis in you, you might feel that nothing has happened and not recognise that you are hypnotized because there is no such thing as a 'hypnotized feeling'. There, I bet that surprised you.
The individual in hypnosis, even deep hypnosis, may feel very relaxed – though not necessarily so. You might feel as if your arms and legs are heavy, or maybe very light, or maybe arranged differently from how you left them, or experience a light tingling sensation in the toes or fingers. Everybody is different and those are just a few of the symptoms you may feel in hypnosis.
Also, you may lie or sit without any deliberate movement for half-an-hour or more, and appear to be sound asleep, but you will actually be fully conscious, with the senses often more alert than usual, and there's every chance that you'll say you didn’t go under.
And then there is time distortion. Some clients can be under for an hour and be surprised when they come out of hypnosis to discover it was more than ten minutes, while others think they’ve been under for longer.
But whatever it is you feel, you can rest assured that hypnosis and hypnotherapy work within a safe environment to your exclusive benefit.
The stage hypnotist is a skilled user of 'razzamatazz' and relies heavily on the confidence of his approach, showmanship, and the willingness of his subjects to perform simple 'tasks'.
On the other hand, as a clinical hypnotherapist, I rely on my knowledge of the human psyche, a caring and compassionate manner, an understanding of the phenomena surrounding hypnosis, and a client who is prepared to accept help with change.
We both use the same tool of hypnosis, but apply it differently. The showbiz use is like using your best kitchen knife to scrape paint off a wall. Sure it works, but it isn't what it was intended for, and not only are you not getting the most out of the implement, but also you are also giving yourself extra washing up.
On a typical first appointment, I will start by asking you questions to establish not only what your problem is, but also where you want to be in your life after the therapy is completed. This is vitally important as you could end up where I think you want to be or where I think you should be. It also focuses your mind so you end up where you want to be and not where you vaguely thought it might be nice to be.
Having gathered all the required information, I will, before the next session (if you wish to proceed) set to work on a programme of therapy designed specifically for you, which will take however long it takes. For example, the quit smoking therapy takes three sessions. But, however many sessions it will take, you will be told before the therapy begins, so you can decide whether or not to go ahead. However, as this is only the first session, I will next take you into a state of light hypnosis and give you what is known as an 'ego strengthener', which allows you to experience the kind of thing I do and help you decide if hypnotherapy is for you. At this point, you will have just had the free consultation session, so you can be assured that you will only make payment after you have agreed to the terms of the therapy.
When I take you into hypnosis, I then deepen that hypnosis until the required level for therapy is obtained.
How do I know when the required level is obtained? Well, without giving away any trade secrets, there are certain physical signs given off by people in hypnosis, although not all people give off all of the signs all of the time, but I will observe you and when I've seen two or three complimentary signs, the therapy can begin.
Although I can observe outward signs of hypnosis in you, you might feel that nothing has happened and not recognise that you are hypnotized because there is no such thing as a 'hypnotized feeling'. There, I bet that surprised you.
The individual in hypnosis, even deep hypnosis, may feel very relaxed – though not necessarily so. You might feel as if your arms and legs are heavy, or maybe very light, or maybe arranged differently from how you left them, or experience a light tingling sensation in the toes or fingers. Everybody is different and those are just a few of the symptoms you may feel in hypnosis.
Also, you may lie or sit without any deliberate movement for half-an-hour or more, and appear to be sound asleep, but you will actually be fully conscious, with the senses often more alert than usual, and there's every chance that you'll say you didn’t go under.
And then there is time distortion. Some clients can be under for an hour and be surprised when they come out of hypnosis to discover it was more than ten minutes, while others think they’ve been under for longer.
But whatever it is you feel, you can rest assured that hypnosis and hypnotherapy work within a safe environment to your exclusive benefit.