Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the answers to the most common questions we are asked, if there is something you feel is not answered then please feel free to contact us and we will add it to the others listed.

What is Hypnosis?
What does Hypnosis feel like?
Is it the same as stage hypnosis?
Can I be made to do anything I don't want to?
Can anybody be hypnotised?
Can I get stuck in hypnosis?
Can it be dangerous?
What is hypnotherapy?
What can hypnotherapy help with?
What is suggestion therapy?
What is analytical therapy?
What is EFT?
Coaching or Therapy?

What is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a naturally occurring state, which you probably enter several times a day without realising it; for example, have you ever been so engrossed in a book, that you are unaware of anything else around you? Or perhaps watching a film, not realising that someone has entered the room? In this state you are relaxed, aware of what's going on and in control. A hypnotherapist creates this natural state of deep relaxation where you are relaxed, aware and in total control at all times. Hypnosis is a safe therapeutic technique which is ages old and is recognised by many branches of orthodox medicine.

What does Hypnosis feel like?

There is no such thing as a hypnotised feeling. Everyone will experience hypnosis slightly differently, but all describe it as comfortable and relaxing.

Is it the same as stage hypnosis?

On stage there is a clever mix of ‘show biz’ and psychology. The stage hypnotist will carefully select volunteers who are not only susceptible to hypnosis, but who are extroverts and most likely to play along with the game. That is not to say that they are not hypnotised, but remember, they volunteered, they knew what to expect, and it is a clear indication of their personality type, extrovert! Hypnosis will lower any inhibitions that they may have, and they will happily do as the hypnotist asks. If the hypnotist was to make a request of them that offended there sense of morality or otherwise, they would just not comply. As for not remembering a thing they did.......well that is very convenient, if indeed you’ve just been running around the stage pretending to be a chicken!

Can I be made to do anything I don't want to?

Definitely not. You are aware of what is being said and done, at all times. You cannot be made to do or say anything that is against your normal code of morals or ethics.

Can anybody be hypnotised?

Almost anyone can be hypnotised but only if they want to be. It is impossible to hypnotise anybody without their co-operation. There is nothing magical or supernatural about hypnosis. Some people go into hypnosis more easily and deeply than others. Those who should not be hypnotised are people with psychiatric disorders, drug abusers, or people under the influence of alcohol.

Can I get stuck in hypnosis?

Definitely not. If the hypnotist was to leave you during hypnosis, then you would gradually rouse yourself from the state or maybe even just fall to sleep, waking when you were ready. Remember, it is a perfectly natural state that you probably enter by yourself several times a day.

Can it be dangerous?

Hypnosis is centuries old and has been a recognised form of therapy, by the British Medical Council since the 1950’s. It is recognised by many branches of orthodox medicine as a valuable alternative to drug therapy and an assistance to healing. It is hard to imagine such a pleasant state could possible cause anyone harm.

What is hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is a combination of psychotherapy and hypnosis. Hypnosis alone is unlikely to affect any change in a persons symptom or behaviour; it is merely a tool to allow a client to relax, focus and to become more open and receptive to change.

What can hypnotherapy help with?

A vast array of things. These can range from habits such as nail-biting, to such problems as, weight control, quit smoking, stress, pain relief in childbirth, sports performance enhancement, IBS right up to more serious problems such as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The two main forms of therapy are Suggestion Therapy and Analytical Therapy:

What is suggestion therapy?

Whilst in the relaxed, receptive state of hypnosis, beneficial suggestions are made which are readily accepted by the sub-conscious mind. It is very effective with problems such as habits, confidence boosting, motivation, driving test nerves, some weight control problems and smoking cessation.

What is analytical therapy?

Analytical Therapy, often referred to as Hypnoanalysis, is used for more deep rooted problems to identify and remove underlying original causes of such things as irrational fears, emotional issues, psycho sexual difficulties and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

What is EFT?

Emotional Freedom Technique is a healing technique that has become a powerful tool for relief from emotional and physical pain. It is based on a revolutionary use of tapping along the body’s meridians: a basis of medical treatment in eastern cultures for centuries. The wonder of EFT is that it is simple, gentle, and quick. Anyone can relieve or heal themselves of many emotional and physical problems in minutes. EFT is based on the concept that by gently tapping on their body’s meridian points, a person can find the emotional release they seek. An electrical circuit runs through our bodies and sends messages to the brain to control all of our functions, both physical and emotional. The meridians are the energy centres along this circuit. These centres are found in places like your hand and face. (Many resources are available that discuss meridians, chakras and our body energy systems.) All negative emotions in our bodies cause disruptions in our energy flow at these meridian centres. The body then becomes unbalanced, and the emotional issues cause the body both emotional and physical stress. By tapping along the energy meridians, the balance is restored and negative energy charges no longer are attached to the emotion or physical issue we treat. Once a person is balanced, they no longer become upset when faced with the same situation that bothered them prior to treatment. The memory remains but the negative charge associated with it is gone. With some issues the result is permanent, with others, the tapping process has to be repeated. Gary Craig, an engineer whose therapy training includes Neuro Linguistic Programming and Thought Field Therapy (™), developed EFT. His research and training led him to develop one sequence of places for a person to tap on their body to achieve relief for many different issues. This is how it works: a person 1) brings an issue (physical or emotional) to mind 2) taps with his/her fingertips on particular meridian points a certain number of times. After one or several cycles of tapping (depending on the issue and severity) the person will find great, if not total, release from the issue. Sounds amazing? Sounds unbelievable? Well, it is! In fact, data is coming in to show up to an 80% success rate! Therapists in many helping professions are using it successfully with clients who have been suffering from emotional issues for prolonged amounts of time. Private individuals are being trained to use this technique themselves. Emotional issues treated with EFT include: trauma, phobias, addictions, anxiety, anger, grief, compulsiveness, PTSD, peak performance. Positive results have been achieved with chronic pain, arthritis, ADD/HD, headaches, asthma and other physical problems. This is an exciting, cutting edge therapy. If it sounds a bit ‘out there’ to you, well, you are right. It is ‘out there’. It is very foreign to our western way of thinking and problem solving. But it works! By using a combination of EFT, Hypnotherapy and NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) we can achieve a client centred therapy with astonishing results. In addition to this you as a client will be taught how to use EFT for yourself, so that you can rid yourself of any future negative emotions, this is a fantastic tool you can use for the rest of your life. We teach EFT to classes by prior arrangement, if you are interested in us coming along and teaching your group or maybe your employees then give us a call on 01245 490808 or e mail us at info@hypnorelate.com

Coaching or Therapy?

Our therapists have a wide range of skills and technologies to help you bring about beneficial changes. Sometime this involves 'going back' to resolve something in the past that is holding them back or diminishing their quality of life; and other times we work 'going forward' panning for success and achievement. Therapy resolves emotional and/or behavioural problems while coaching deals with people who want to move toward higher function, achieving important goals and significantly improving the quality of their life. There are a few similarities between the two disciplines, sharing some common elements of process and technique - but they are not substitutes for each other.