Hypnotherapy Frequently Asked Questions

The more you understand hypnotherapy, the more effective it is likely to be. If there are any points below which you don‘t agree with, or don‘t understand, please feel free to bring them up in our initial consultation.

What is hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is a collaborative process in which you allow yourself to be guided through your imagination to evoke positive emotions and rehearse behaviour change.

What is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a natural state that we enter into many times a day. It is when your critical mind is silent and you become absorbed in something or simply day dream.

Can I be hypnotised?

Everyone can, in principle, be hypnotised. It has been shown to help if you relax, think positively, and imagine the things being suggested.

What is a hypnotic trance?

Hypnotic ―trance, so-called, is an increased ability to respond to positive suggestions, usually accompanied simply by relaxed attention to the ideas being suggested.

Will I be aware of what is happening during hypnosis?

Hypnosis is definitely not a state of sleep or unconsciousness. Roughly 90% of people report being aware of everything that happens, and relaxation helps but is not essential to hypnosis.

Could I be made to do something against my will?

Hypnosis is definitely not a state of mind control. You cannot be made to do anything against your will. On the contrary, normally you must want to accept suggested ideas and actively imagine responding to experience their effects.

Is hypnosis safe?

Hypnosis is completely safe when used in a responsible and professional manner. Nobody has ever been ―stuck in hypnosis.

I have seen people do very silly things during stage hypnosis, will I cluck like a chicken?

Comedy stage hypnosis has very little to do with clinical hypnotherapy and has been shown to foster misconceptions which can prevent people from benefiting from treatment. Take what you see on television with a generous pinch of salt. However your goal is to cluck like a chicken I would need to refer you to other professionals!

What is Hypnotic Suggestion?

Hypnotic suggestion is a means of experiencing certain helpful ideas at a level profound enough to directly influence our emotions and behaviour.

How can Hypnotherapy help me with an emotional problem?

Psychological and emotional problems can be seen as the result of negative thinking, whereas hypnotherapy aims to encourage ("suggest") positive ideas which lead to improvement.

How long does a hypnotherapy treatment take to make lasting change?

Hypnotherapy, except for smoking cessation, usually requires more than one session. However, it is probably one of the briefest forms of psychological therapy, and in clinical studies the average number of sessions is around 4-6.

In which areas has hypnosis be proven to work?

Hypnosis can help with an enormous range of different issues. Research tends to provide most support for its use in,

1. Anxiety management.
2. Pain management.
3. Overcoming sleep disorders
4. Treating certain psychosomatic or stress-related illnesses.

However, hypnosis is also used to conquer habits such as nail-biting or smoking cigarettes, and for personal development in areas such as sports performance, public speaking, or creativity.

Is hypnosis supported by evidence and the medical profession?

Thousands of positive experimental and clinical research studies on hypnosis have been published. It was recognised as an effective treatment by the British Medical Association (BMA) and American Medical Association (AMA) in the 1950s and, more recently, by the American Psychological Association (for obesity) and NICE guidance (for IBS) used by the National Health Service (UK).

Why should I choose to use hypnosis?

Hypnosis is essentially a simple, down-to-earth, and common sense therapy. For example, by relaxing, thinking positively, and picturing your goals, hypnosis can help you to progressively improve your habitual feelings and behaviour.

What is Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy?

Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy (CBH) brings together Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Clinical Hypnosis. Cognitive therapy focuses on our thoughts about our experiences, how we view the world and how we believe the world views us. Behavioural therapy focuses on how our behaviours affect our cognitions (thoughts) and how these affect our behaviours – and the changes we can make to achieve our goals.
Clinical hypnotherapy brings belief and imagination together, in a single dominant idea, in order to help to us to achieve our desired changes.
CBT and hypnosis each enjoy the support of a strong evidence base proving their effectiveness. Together they offer deep, effective, rapid and lasting treatment.

Visit Elevate Performance, for professional hypnotherapy Sydney CBD services.

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