Change Your Story...
Become the Person You Want to Be...
Transform Your Life...
...becoming one with all
Hypnotherapy is a technique that uses hypnotic induction to enable you to detach your attention from external stimulations, and to bring your focus of attention inwards. This has the effect of not only putting you into a very relaxed state, but also increasing the awareness of your thoughts and emotions so that you have the ability to really explore and focus on the issue you wish to have help with. This enhanced focus of attention also opens your mind to ideas and suggestions which, when used repeatedly with conviction and emotion, can create new neural pathways and form beneficial habits.
By bringing your focus of attention inwards, we are able to communicate directly with the subconscious mind, while the conscious, critical mind remains quiet. When we are able to work directly with the subconscious mind we are accessing with the part of the mind that is in charge of unhelpful beliefs, limiting thoughts and destructive patterns of behaviour that are hidden from conscious view, but are, nonetheless, running your world!
The 'Iceberg' metaphor is often used to show the relationship between the conscious and subconscious minds. The part of the Iceberg visible above the water line represents the conscious mind, which contains all the thoughts, feelings and memories you can easily get in touch with or recall.
Neuroscience has now established that the conscious mind runs the show only about 5% of the time…
This leaves the subconscious mind running 95% of what we think.
When we talk about discovering ‘what lies beneath’, we are referring to working with the subconscious mind to help us uncover the unhelpful beliefs, limiting thoughts and patterns of behaviour that we have been previously unaware of because it has been hidden to us.
The conscious mind is the domain of thinking, choosing, sensing, perceiving and experiencing within your current state of awareness. This includes your short-term memory.
The conscious mind uses words, numbers, data, facts, and information collected from the five senses to communicate.
The subconscious mind is the domain of our permanent memories, feelings, beliefs, behaviours, thoughts, attitudes and values.
The subconscious mind uses feelings, memories, symbols, metaphors and stories to communicate.
​
The conscious mind is powerless against the subconscious mind. The conscious mind is the logical mind, whereas the subconscious mind is the feeling, emotional mind.One of the rules of how the mind works is that emotion always wins over logic!…but, of course, you can use this to your advantage by programming your subconscious mind to feel good positive emotions, and this is what we do using hypnosis.
​
​
Hypnotherapy may take various forms.
However, the particular methods in which I am trained are:
Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy (CBH)
(sometimes referred to as Hypno-CBT®)
and
Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT)
​
What is the difference between RTT and CBH?
While both Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT) and Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy (CBH) are forms of therapy that utilise hypnosis techniques, they each have distinct approaches and methodologies:
​
1. Foundational Principles:
- RTT: is based on the premise that many issues stem from subconscious beliefs formed in childhood. It aims to uncover and reframe these beliefs to bring about rapid and lasting change.
- CBH: integrates cognitive-behavioural techniques with hypnosis. It focuses on identifying and challenging negative and irrational thought patterns and behaviours. These are then replaced using conscious cognitive restructuring and subconscious reprogramming.
2. Techniques:
- RTT: primarily uses therapy to explore past experiences and uncover the root causes of current issues. It then utilises hypnosis to reframe beliefs and install new empowering beliefs.
- CBH: employs cognitive restructuring techniques, such as identifying faulty, negative and unhelpful thought processes, and replacing them with more rational thoughts, along with hypnosis to reinforce positive changes at a subconscious level.
3. Duration of Therapy:
- RTT: often aims for relatively rapid results, with clients typically undergoing a small number of sessions (often around 1-3) to address specific issues.
- CBH: may involve a longer duration of therapy. Typically most issues require a minimum of 5 therapeutic sessions over several weeks to address various cognitive and behavioural patterns.
4. Focus:
- RTT: focuses on uncovering and reframing deep-seated beliefs and emotional patterns to bring about profound and lasting change.
- CBH: focuses on changing specific cognitive patterns and behaviours to address immediate concerns and promote long-term well-being.
In a nutshell, RTT is based on understanding how the past events have manifested themselves into who you are today, and then reframing and replacing them.
RTT emphasises rapid identification and reframing of subconscious beliefs using hypnosis as a gateway to the subconscious, and normally requires just 1-3 sessions.
Whereas, CBH focusses more on the way you think and how you behave presently can be changed, and then projecting these changes with imagery techniques as a future you.
CBH integrates cognitive-behavioural techniques with hypnosis to address specific cognitive patterns and behaviours, and is a longer process, generally requiring a minimum of 5 sessions.
To learn more about CBH please
​
​
To learn more about RTT please
​
​
The Hypnotic Part - some common questions, myths and misconceptions...
What is Hypnosis?
-
Hypnosis is essentially a state of heightened internal awareness, and acceptance to suggestions.
-
Hypnotic suggestion is a means of experiencing certain helpful ideas at a level profound enough to directly influence your emotions and behaviour.
-
Hypnosis consists of an induction designed to initiate the process of drawing your focus of attention away from what is going on around you, and concentrating instead on your internal environment so that you can start to notice in great detail what you are feeling and thinking, and to focus wholly on yourself.
-
Hypnosis allows you to "free-up" your imagination so that you can vividly visualise a scenario in your minds eye so that you make it feel real enough to evoke the emotions, sensations and feelings associated with the situation.
Is it the same as Hypnosis I have seen on stage?
Our sessions involve the application of therapeutic hypnotherapy approaches and practices - not to be confused with stage hypnosis. Stage hypnosis is a show of performance and drama just like any other stage act, and therefore often uses specific methods to achieve audience entertainment and the "wow factor". Many hypnotic techniques used by the hypnotist may overlap with some techniques that I also use, but remember, it is there specifically for crowd participation and pleasure and can often create myths and misconceptions surrounding hypnosis - therefore it should be taken with a large pinch of salt!
What does Hypnosis feel like?
Hypnosis is essentially a cognitive state, a special state related to belief and imagination, therefore it is not necessarily describable in terms of feelings and emotions. However, because of the induction and other techniques used, many people experience a sense of calm and relaxation to varying degrees, whilst remaining alert and aware of what I am saying to you.
If you have never been hypnotised before, or even if you have, hypnosis can be experienced in many different ways and therefore it is difficult to tell you specifically what to expect. What is one person's description of their experience can be vastly different to another person. In fact, every hypnotic session can vary from your experience the time before.
If we were to compare hypnosis with something, it would resemble a state of daydreaming or the feeling you get when your mind is ‘lost’ in a good book or movie. You are aware of what’s happening around you, but you can tune out everything but the subject you’re focusing on. This again will vary depending on your depth of focus on my voice and the subject we are working through together during the hypnosis.
Everything you experience during the hypnosis session will seem somewhat real to you, much like something that happens in a book you are reading, or a movie you are engrossed in seems real. The events fully engage your emotions. You feel sad, happy, or fearful depending on what you’re watching or reading. The same applies during a guided hypnosis session as I guide your mind so you can face your fears, tackle your sadness, or embrace your happiness.
Is Hypnosis like being asleep?
In a word...NO! Although it has been known for people to fall asleep during a hypnotic session, it is not the intention. Sleep is a different state to hypnosis - in sleep your conscious mind has no awareness, but in hypnosis you are mentally awake and alert.
However, if you do fall asleep this is OK too, and usually signifies that you actually were in need of some rest!
When you emerge from hypnosis you feel as though you have woken up from a good night's rest, but this is due to the deep relaxation techniques, rather than having been in unconscious sleep.
Roughly 90% of people report being aware of everything that happens. This is because relaxation does not necessarily mean drowsy. Being relaxed can in fact heighten your senses and increase your mental alertness. Therefore, words such a “sleep,” “relax,” “rest” may be used by me during a session to help evoke relaxation. However, these words may be used by virtue of their familiarity to you, and your expectancies associated with the words.
Am I being "brainwashed" or made to do things against my will during hypnosis?
Absolutely not! This idea comes from the comic books, cartoons, and movies! Even in stage hypnosis it is only the perception that the people on the stage are being "controlled" by the hypnotist. In hypnosis you are generally aware, and fundamentally in control of everything that happens. You choose to be in hypnosis, you choose how deeply you go into hypnosis, and you choose whether to allow yourself to respond to suggestions or not. You cannot be forced into hypnosis against your will nor compelled to do anything you don't want to do while in hypnosis. Quite the contrary in fact - hypnosis can only work if you want to accept suggested ideas and actively imagine responding.
Can I get "stuck" in Hypnosis?
No. Just as you cannot get stuck in a daydream, in your imagination, or in meditation. Given time you will either rouse yourself naturally or drift off to natural sleep; hypnosis is a temporary state of mind.
Will I be made to say things I want to keep to myself?
No. Hypnosis is not a way of getting you to divulge your secrets or private thoughts, (unless you want to!) Your mind remains in your control at all times. I will ask you many questions, both out of hypnosis as well as during the hypnotic part of the session, in order to better understand your issues and to help formulate an effective treatment plan, but never at any stage are you ever obliged to answer.
Is Hypnosis a form of meditation?
Hypnosis is not meditation. However, there are many, many forms of meditation, including the more modern concept of guided meditation. Some of my techniques, are more a form of guided meditation as they do not involve a hypnotic induction - so there is some overlap.
However, even though they might seem similar at first, the hypnotic and the meditative states are different. Both require you to be aware of your surroundings, but this is where things differ.
When you’re in a hypnotic state, your mind is aware of everything, but it focuses on the hypnotist’s suggestions. With the help of these suggestions, you will have a sharp focus and you will address the matters you wish to resolve, whether you wish to overcome your fear of spiders, or gain control of your weight.
When you’re in a meditative state, your mind is also aware of everything, but you focus on your breath, on your hands and feet, or on an object, or mantra. This will increase your self-awareness and it might shed new light on your problems, but it won’t be extremely effective for treating a specific condition.
The main goal of traditional, mainstay meditation is to induce deep relaxation and “quieten” the activities of the conscious mind. In hypnosis I use relaxation and focusing of attention more as a method of inducing enhanced suggestibility and imaginal absorption. The result of this is that hypnosis can help treat different conditions with precision, while meditation can help you become a more relaxed person.
Can everyone be Hypnotised?
Everyone can, in principle, be hypnotised.
Entering into hypnosis is as easy as daydreaming - if you can daydream or relax your mind in any other normal way then you can enter into hypnosis.
Some people will be focused on my voice for most of the time, and others will find themselves thinking about unrelated things. Either way is perfectly normal, and can happen at any time in the hypnosis process. However, you will find that the parts where you are needed to focus more deeply on, external distractions don't disturb you, and your mind is fully focused on the task at hand.
Remember, hypnosis is essentially a matter of belief and imagination. In a sense, if you believe, or just imagine, that you are in hypnosis then you are in hypnosis. Hence, one perfectly legitimate, and pretty common, method of learning hypnosis is to pretend or role-play your way into hypnosis.
Also, if you imagine that hypnosis is really difficult and you will be no good at it then, of course, you will find it to be so. But if you imagine that it is easy and believe you are doing well then you will be right.
As the great American industrialist Henry Ford famously said: "Whether you say you can or you can't, either way you're right."
The poet Virgil wrote: "They can because they believe they can." That is especially true of hypnotism.
Of course, some people are exceptionally good at going into hypnosis, this may be a natural tendency or the result of practice. However, anyone can do it and everyone can learn how to improve their ability with a little practice and basic instruction.
If I am easily Hypnotised does it mean I'm weak-willed or gullible?
Definitely not; if anything, good hypnotic subjects tend to show strong conscious intellect. In other words, if you have the ability to be highly attentive and aware you will respond to positive ideas - hypersuggestibility. This enables you to master your circumstances by realising that you have the power to not be defined by them, and to put them into perspective.
Indeed real 'self-control' fundamentally requires good suggestibility. For example, if a person can say "I can do this!", and believe it so deeply that they feel it to be true, then they are both highly suggestible and good at self-disciplined. Hence, many hypnotists find that highly self-disciplined people make particularly good hypnotic subjects, e.g., soldiers, successful businessmen, athletes, martial artists, etc.
Is Hypnosis a recognised therapy?
Yes. The current situation in the UK is that hypnotherapy is classified by the Department of Health as being a branch of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) The British Medical Association (BMA) first recognised the genuineness of hypnosis and its therapeutic benefits back in 1892, then again following a more thorough report in 1955. The majority of techniques and methods that I use are all evidence-based with proven effectiveness.
