Hypnotherapy - A Last Resort?
I've just read an article in the Mail Online entitled"Hypnosis got me back in the
saddle! After developing a phobia of her beloved horse Liz Jones was willing to give
anything a try"
The article began "When I think about hypnotism, I imagine a Victorian stage, a man
swinging a fob watch and the subject being duped into removing all their clothing.
But increasingly hypnotherapy is being used to help people give up smoking or cure a
fear of flying"
There are so many misconceptions about hypnotherapy, it's no wonder people are
wary! The truth is that hypnotherapy is natural and safe. There's no mind control.
You have to actively use your imagination to go along with suggestions. You cannot
be made to do anything against your will. Stage hypnosis is different to
hypnotherapy and encourages misconceptions mentioned above.
The article refers to techniques (probably "regression"), which it has been shown may
induce false memories as a result. No wonder people are unjustifiably scared. It's
important to understand that memory is malleable (regardless of hypnosis) and that
experiences "remembered" whilst in a suggestible state may not be an accurate
representation of what really happened. And even if one can trace the root of a
problem to an early, forgotten incident or event, the reasons the problem continues
in later life for a person are likely to be quite different. I do not use age regression
or past life regression. I focus on the "here and now", helping my clients understand
how their current thinking, feelings and interpretations of events creates their
reactions.
Hypnotherapy can help with many problems including anxiety, stress, phobias, IBS,
panic attacks and much more. The Mail article discusses the writer's fear of horses
and other phobias....."I'm afraid of everything. Spiders. Clifftops. Caves. Swimming
pools. Children. Snooty shop assistants." It's actually quite common to have more
than one phobia. I use systematic desensitization combined with hypnotherapy and
typically see clients for between three and six sessions, although some clients may
only need two sessions. All I ask is that my client is honest, open and prepared to
practice techniques in between sessions to ensure they make maximum progress
in as short a time as possible.
Some people consider hypnotherapy as a last resort. Yet, the article ends with the
writer explaining how she overcame her phobia, rode her beloved horse and "...for
the first time since I was five, I started to enjoy myself". Don't wait until your
phobia has taken over your life. If you're fed up living with your phobia, anxiety,
stress, insomnia or other problem, consider seeing a hypnotherapist.
Hypnotherapy is safe, natural and easy to learn. I believe hypnotherapy is worthy as
a first choice. Why wait until you've exhausted all other possibilities to use
something safe, simple and natural?
Finally, whomever you choose, ensure they are qualified, insured and registered with
a reputable body such as the National Council for Hypnotherapy or Register for
Evidence-Based Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy.
What's the point in waiting? Email me or call me on 07794 231 691
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