Cognitive Hypnotherapy | Birmingham | Warwickshire

Questions & Answers:

Do you have a question not answered here? Please email or telephone me.

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Can I be hypnotised?

Yes. Just about everyone can be hypnotised. Some people are more susceptible than others, but everyone goes into natural trance states on a daily basis. The trance state is a natural phenomenon which occurs numerous times throughout each person's day, such as when day-dreaming or when driving a car and suddenly realising you had not been aware of the journey for the previous while. Being hypnotised is usually done by relaxing the client until a light trance is induced. A hypnotherapist cannot force you to go into trance against your will.

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Can I speak whilst hypnotised?

Yes. Only a light trance is used for therapeutic purposes and some therapies require responses from the client.

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What is being in trance like?

Trance will be experienced slightly differently by everyone. In general you will feel relaxed but still aware of whatever is going on around you - my voice or other noises. Although it is not the same as sleep, many people feel refreshed whilst others feel little difference after being in trance. Most people comment on what a pleasant experience it was.

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Is hypnosis safe?

Yes. If there was any problem at any time a person would naturally come out of trance. There is very little that could go wrong in the hands of a professional therapist, whilst sitting relaxed, in a comfortable chair, listening to the therapist's words. Hypnosis is a proven method for quickly and effectively providing treatment for many issues and helps to bring health and harmony to mind, body and spirit.

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Will I be aware of what is happening?

Yes. Hypnosis is not the same as being asleep. You will be able to hear noises that occur around you and if at anytime you wished to exit trance you would be able to. You are likely to remember some of what was said but probably not every word. This is normal. After all, even under non-trance situations it is extremely unlikely you would remember everything that had been said for a period of an hour or more.
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Will I be in control?

Yes. You will be in full control at all times. No one can control your mind unless you let them. The therapist guides you to the resolution of your issue and cannot make you do anything you do not want to do. Your unconscious protects you and so will not allow you to accept any suggestions that go against your ethics or morals. It can be likened to the client driving a car with the therapist sitting beside them navigating. If the therapist says "turn left" and the client doesn't want to, they will continue driving straight ahead.

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Could I remain hypnotised?

No. If trance was not terminated, the person would either fall asleep and awaken naturally or they would simply get bored and get up and leave.

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Do you use drugs?

No. Never. Hypnosis is a natural state and does not require drugs of any sort.

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Can you help with medical issues?

Yes - very often. It is however imperative that you first consult your Doctor regarding the issue. Many problems of a physical nature, including controlling pain, respond well to hypnosis.

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What can I expect to happen?

You will be made to feel comfortable, at ease and any questions you have will be answered. You will be asked questions about yourself and your issue. The process of expected treatment will be explained. At this stage you may be gently guided into trance by listening to my voice, so that your mind and body are relaxed. Various techniques may then be used for the benefit of the client and when appropriate the trance terminated. There will then be a discussion about the experiences you had and if necessary, how we need to proceed. Finally, payment for the session is made and any further appointments agreed.

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How often will I need to see you?

This depends on the type of problem and the progress made. Some simple problems can be resolved in one or two sessions. Sometimes, with more deep-rooted issues, longer is required. On occasions this can require regular weekly or fortnightly sessions for a period. Each person and each presenting problem is unique and will be treated as such. This means it can be difficult to say in advance that everyone with a similar issue will need the same length of treatment. Please call me to discuss your particular situation and I will be happy to offer free advice.

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Has any research been done to substantiate the beneficial effects of Hypnotherapy?

Many years of questioning can be answered by the scientific research which is now being carried out. The evidence shows that important brain functions change when somebody is hypnotised. Using functional brain imaging, John Gruzelier, a psychologist at Imperial College in London, recently found that hypnosis affects parts of the brain that respond to errors, evaluate emotional outcomes and are involved with processing and behaviour.

The finding is one of the first to indicate a biological mechanism underpinning the experience of hypnosis. Gruzelier and his colleagues studied brain activity using an fMRI while subjects completed a standard cognitive exercise. He concluded that, under hypnosis, these brain areas are working harder.

"This is confirming our model of hypnosis with very direct evidence of brain function," he says. Peter Naish, at the UK's Open University, says "We have a technique that has now moved towards evidence-based treatments. Gruzelier's work is showing that the brain is doing quite different things under hypnosis than in normal everyday existence."

Another study, with 80 children in Greece, all with cancer, showed that those under hypnosis suffered less pain than the control group who had simply been engaged in comforting conversation. The children were undergoing treatments such as lumbar punctures - where a long needle is inserted into the spine - and they were suffering continual pain from cancer.

Dr Christina Liossi of the University of Wales in Swansea said "Hypnosis improves the quality of life for children and adults with cancer. We now have experimental evidence that hypnosis is an intervention, at least with children who undergo painful treatment procedures."

Although hypnotherapy is made available as an alternative therapy, the work by Dr Liossi suggests that it should become part of standard practice. She is now about to start a second full study in Swansea.

New Scientist and Independent, 10th September 2004 - www.newscientist.com

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