Hypnotic Health FAQs
What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a profoundly relaxed state similar to the feeling of just drifting into sleep. There are many times in the day when our minds slip into the subconscious. Here are a few examples of a hypnotic state of mind:
- When you are driving and you are thinking about a particular issue and you cannot remember how you got from A to B. Your mind has been on auto pilot whilst you have been sorting through your subconscious mind to find solutions or understand your problem
- Staring into space thinking about nothing and unaware of the passage of time
- Recalling a past experience and remembering it so vividly it is almost as if you have stepped back in time
- Being able to shut off from your surroundings and be somewhere else entirely
- Becoming so engrossed in a film or a play that you temporarily forget your own reality
- Listening to music, going somewhere else in your mind at a concert, losing yourself in the beat
- In a room full of people but you are far away, your mind in another country or future place
In a hypnotic state, typically you will have an increased response to suggestion, and an ability to change perception and memory.
The state also provides the platform for the ability to control many physiologic functions that are normally involuntary. Using guided relaxation, focused attention, and intense concentration, hypnotherapy achieves a heightened state of awareness, this is sometimes referred to as a trance.
The attention of the person undergoing hypnosis will will become so focused that whatever may be happening around that person will be temporarily blocked out of their mind or ignored.
Once this naturally occurring state is reached, with the help of a hypnotherapist a person can focus their attention on specific thoughts or tasks.
What is Clinical Hypnotherapy?
Clinical hypnotherapy is the therapeutic process using hypnosis that is conducted in a clinical setting. Being a clinical hypnotherapist I use my specialist knowledge of hypnosis to harnesses the healing power of a hypnotic state to work with the issues that you as my client wish to change.
As a member of the ASCH I abide by their code of ethics and every year partake in ongoing professional education and development which ensures that I keep abreast of the latest developments and methods.
How does Hypnotherapy Work?
Hypnotherapy is not usually considered a treatment in itself, but rather an aid to psychotherapy. Through a hypnotic state people are able to explore painful thoughts, feelings and memories that otherwise will have been hidden from the conscious mind, this will help with the psychotherapy process.
Hypnotherapy can help change people’s perceptions, for example blocking an awareness to pain.
There are two ways in which hypnotherapy can be used:
- Suggestion therapy– through a hypnotic state a person becomes more open and able to respond to suggestions. This can help change certain behaviours, whether it be to stop smoking or motivation for exercise. People’s perceptions and sensations can also change through this therapy, such as eliminating fears i.e. hypnotic birthing.
- Analysis – using a relaxed state, the aim of this approach is to uncover the root cause of a symptom or disorder. This could be a traumatic event from a person’s past that has been buried in their unconscious memory. By revisiting the trauma, it can then be addressed in psychotherapy and transformed in hypnosis.
The part of the brain which process analytical thought takes a break and you are able to access the subconscious or unconscious mind.
This enables the ability to make positive changes to habits and thought patterns that may have been having a negative effect on you in a creative and innovative way.
A leading hypnotherapist, Dr Milton Erickson described this process as a “free period in which individuality can flourish”
How will hypnotherapy help me?
It will help you to create positive lasting change. It will give you the ability to reprogram emotional attitudes and reactions so you will no longer be controlled by negative behaviours and habits. Instead, you will be able to take control of your life and reshape it to be in line with how you want it to be.
Imagine the mind as a house full of rooms and you are renovating this place into your ideal dream house, clearing out any old baggage and clutter and making way for this wonderful future home. It takes time and energy and a little investment and it will yield amazing results.
Can everyone be hypnotised?
There are only two clients of mine that did not experience going into hypnosis. One was a client who had ADHD and was unable to sit still long enough to find a comfortable space. The other came with a negative mind set believing wholeheartedly that there was no way in a million years that I would be able to put him into a hypnotic state of mind and he was right.
If you come with an open mind wanting to experience a life changing therapy then yes you will definitely be hypnotised. The more sessions you have the more comfortable you will feel and the deeper your trance will be. Often people say, “I couldn’t be hypnotised I’m too strong minded”. It is often these individuals that are really commited to allowing the treatment to work.
Analytical people may say “I am too much in my head to ever be able to switch off”, usually these people discover that they really enjoy being able to turn this part of their brain off. They analyse their experience afterwards using hypnosis as a really useful tool in their journey of self development.
What is Self-hypnosis?
All hypnosis is self hypnosis. I can teach you ways which will help you to self hypnotise and give you a lifelong skill.
Self-hypnosis is used extensively in modern hypnotherapy. It can take the form of hypnosis carried out by means of a learned routine.
History of Self hypnosis
The English term “hypnotism” was introduced in 1841 by the Scottish physician and surgeon James Braid. According to Braid, he first employed “self-hypnotism” (as he elsewhere refers to it) two years after discovering hypnotism, first teaching it to his clients before employing it on himself.
“My first experiments on this point [i.e., self-hypnosis] were instituted in the presence of some friends on the 1st May, 1843, and following days. I believe they were the first experiments of the kind which had ever been tried, and they have succeeded in every case in which I have so operated.”
Émile Coué was one of the most influential figures in the subsequent development of self-hypnosis. His method of “conscious autosuggestion” became an internationally-renowned self-help system at the start of the 20th century.
Are my abilities enhanced using hypnosis?
Abilities such as remembering, creating, imagining and responsiveness are greatly heightened during hypnosis.
There is a greater response to imagery techniques, a heightened sense of recall ( the police have been known to use hypnosis to get victims to remember small details about the scene of a crime), you can become much more creative in your thinking and your responsiveness to positive suggestions reinforces the changes you wish to make in your life
How will I feel after the session?
Within ten minutes to half an hour you will be back to your normal waking state feeling energised and refreshed.
How will I feel during the session?
Everyone responds totally differently. We are all unique. On the whole clients report feeling mentally, physically and emotionally relaxed. It is similar to the feeling of just waking up from sleep or when you are just about to fall into sleep. Some people have said it is like daydreaming, the relaxation on this level is very healing and you will feel very in touch with your positive strengths.
Will I lose control?
One of the main misconceptions is that you will be made to do things against your will like running around clucking like a chicken. Stage hypnotism is very different from hypnosis and is based on the hypnotist picking out willing participants. If you really want to you can bring yourself out of hypnosis at any time.
Some people are more susceptible to hypnosis than others. Everyone’s experience of hypnosis will differ greatly even from session to session dependent on mood, time of day, hormones, etc. Usually clients will experience deeper trance after the first session once you allow yourself to let go and enjoy the experience of hypnosis. The more you trust in the process the more powerful the hypnosis will be and the greater the result. This is why I always recommend a minimum of three sessions, you could need more than 3 sessions.
Will my personality be changed?
There is no effect on your personality, you will still be you. Everyone responds totally differently. We are all unique. On the whole clients report feeling mentally, physically and emotionally relaxed. It is similar to the feeling of just waking up from sleep or when you are just about to fall into sleep. Some people have said it is like daydreaming, the relaxation on this level is very healing and you will feel very in touch with your positive strengths.
What is NLP?
Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) can be described in three parts. The neurological system determines our body function, language determines how we interact and communicate with others, and programming will shape the world we live in according to our language and neurological system. NLP seeks to understand the relationship between the mind (Neuro) and the language (linguistic), and how the dynamics of this relationship will affect our body and behaviour (programming).
There are many levels that make us human. NLP seeks to address each level in a pragmatic way – an epistemological approach. NLP is a multifaceted discipline that incorporates strategic thinking together with an understanding of the cognitive process which drives behaviour, whilst also developing behavioural competence and flexibility. NLP aims to equip an individual with the necessary tools to achieve a level of personal excellence. As well as this, NLP seeks to develop a deeper understanding of change, communication, and the capacity of human beings, through a system of presuppositions and empowering beliefs. In reaching out to the world beyond the individual – family, community, and global structure – NLP develops an understanding of the spiritual aspect of the human condition. As well as seeking to achieve individual excellence, NLP also explores identity, wisdom, self discovery and vision.
There are two fundamental presuppositions on which NLP is founded:
1) Reality can never be objectively known, but instead is shaped by our perceptions of what reality is. We interact with the world around us through our sensory systems. It is these ‘neuro-linguistic’ perceptions of reality that directly influence our behaviours and the meaning behind them. Objective reality is not what limits or strengthens us, but instead our perception, or map, of reality.
2) The processes that take place within us and between us and our environment are systemic. Ourselves, our organisations and our world form a being of complex totality of systems and subsystems. All of which merge and together influence each other. It is impossible to totally separate any part of this system from the rest. These systems are naturally self organising and will find the best states of balance and interplay.
NLP models and procedures are based on these two principles. In our concept of NLP, it is impossible for us to know singular reality. We are incapable of making an objective map to navigate the world as wisdom, ethics, and ecology do not lend themselves to this. The aim is to process a rich map that acknowledges the systematic nature and ecology of our being and the world we inhabit. To be effective is to have a map that incorporates the greatest number of choices and views. NLP is a way of supplementing the choices you have and see as available in the world around us. Excellence comes from having a multitude of choices, wisdom from having many perspectives.
What is Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy could be described as a process of supporting the client in reducing both inner conflicts and relationship conflicts, and restoring or strengthening a sense of psychological and social harmony resulting in increased self mastery. Psychotherapy approaches are commonly classified into categories of psycho-dynamic, humanistic/existential, cognitive/behavioural, and somatic/body-oriented. I use elements of all of these approaches. I have been particularly influenced by the work of Rogers, Jung and Maslow.
Carl Rogers was aware of the power of the therapeutic relationship when he developed the widely used and highly regarded person-centred approach to psychotherapy during the 1940’s and 50’s. This approach involves a relationship based on the therapist’s empathy, unconditional positive regard and acceptance.
Psychotherapy provides relief from specific disorders and symptoms. It is also used to both alleviate symptoms and enhance personal growth (Seligman, 1995). Carl Rogers (1967) strongly believed psychotherapy to be a process fostering personality integration (in which symptoms are relieved) and growth toward wholeness which will allow greater freedom to develop ones potential.
Jung (1964) suggested that psychotherapy is the only movement within western culture that partly has, and should have, an understanding of the nature of Zen. In contemporary psychotherapy there is a strong movement toward recognising not just a psychological “self” that is often in need of restorative work, but also a more encompassing spiritual whole. At the forefront of this movement is transpersonal psychotherapy, which “seeks to find the sacred in the daily, ordinary life and consciousness in which most people live” (Cortright, 1997). From the transpersonal psychotherapy perspective, psychological work on the self is important and necessary and held within a broader context of spiritual unfolding.
Perhaps this quote from Abraham Maslow (1954) captures some elements of how our experience of ourselves and others can change as the process of psychotherapy and the growth of consciousness advances:
“One does not complain about water because it is wet, nor about rocks because they are hard … As the child looks out upon the world with wide, uncritical and innocent eyes, simply noting and observing what is the case, without either arguing the matter or demanding that it be otherwise, so does the self-actualising person look upon human nature both in him or herself and in others.”
What is Coaching?
Coaching is the unlocking of a person’s potential to maximise their performance through learning rather than teaching. It is a collaborative and solution focused and result-orientated process whereby the coach facilitates the enhancements in the clients life. Whether these be work performance, life experience, self-directed learning or personal growth needs of the client.
What is Time Based Therapy?
Time based therapy uses time based techniques. It discards negative emotions such as anger, fear, guilt, and sadness rapidly and pleasantly. Releasing “I can’t” limiting decisions such as “make money”, “have a happy relationship” and so on that impede you. Time Based Therapy helps shape your future, and enables you to converse with your deeper unconscious mind in ways that create responsiveness and understanding to allow your future desires to manifest.
You will not be handicapped by past experiences and guides. It is a transformative technique which lets you discard limiting beliefs easily and comfortably. Problems such as phobias can be cast aside in a couple of sessions. Our past exposures and the memories that accompany them impact how we deal with daily situations. These exposures and memories may prevent us from achieving desired results. Time Based Therapy can assist us to alter that.
Time Based Therapy helps us to:
- Release past negative emotions
- Let go of past limiting decisions
- Generate our future the way we envision it
These are three fundamental techniques that form time based therapy and make significant lifestyle changes.
Negative emotions
Time Based Therapy techniques permit freedom from negative emotions such as fear, anger, sadness, and anxiety. A release of these emotions from memories which include them will allow the reaction to future situations without the limitations of this emotional handicap.
Limiting Decisions
Negative past experience creates limiting decisions and beliefs which prevent achievement potential. These decisions and beliefs stay with you. Time Based Therapy techniques let you discard them to the past where they belong. Learning from your experiences will let you create fruitful and empowering options to design your life.
Process
By resolving issues from the past time based therapy gives us a path to create ideas and goals. Using our imagination creates a fascinating future that is revitalising and brings compelling results.
Do I have to take three sessions?
Yes, you must take the program. I have extensive experience in helping people stop smoking and my program has been tailored to ensure maximum effectiveness
How will I cope with stressful situations?
There will not be as many stressful situations for you as a non smoker. You will no longer be caught in a cycle of feeling stressed and needing a cigarette. When you have a cigarette, the toxic cocktail you inhale signals your brain to flood your body with endorphins, the body’s natural opiates. Therefore, it is not the cigarette which gives you release, but the endorphin response created by your body.
Nearly everyone has difficulty learning how to tolerate inhaling tobacco smoke. Your body is trying to stop toxic chemicals entering. However, this is counterbalanced by the release of endorphins brought about by the presence of nicotine. Endorphins ease the body pain caused in trying to fight off the tobacco poison.
The natural cycle of endorphin release is shut down by tobacco smoke inhalation. Your body now stores the endorphins to make sure it has enough to defend against the next attack.
When the anticipated natural endorphin release does not occur, you as a smoker experience stress and seek the endorphin release you now associate with cigarettes. But this desire is in fact caused by endorphin depletion from the previous cigarettes.
It may be hard to believe but the stress relieved by a cigarette is caused by the previous one.
The cycle works like this. Feel stress-smoke a cigarette-feel temporary relaxation-exhaust endorphin production-feel increased stress.
Imagine how amazing you will feel once you are no longer locked into this cycle of stress and relieving that stress. Instead you will feel happy and relaxed and able to cope with many situations that you may have previously found to be stressful.
Will I still be able to drink alcohol?
Yes you will be able to. I recommend for the first few days not to put yourself in any unnecessarily hard situations until you have found the confidence as a non smoker to say no. Alcohol and nicotine are best friends and a bad influence on each other. They need to be split up for a while. You will soon find you are able to enjoy a drink again and have separated it from any thought of smoking.
Will I gain weight?
There is no reason to gain weight. Each cigarette that you have smoked has been leaving fat deposits of the bad artery clogging kind. It has also distorted your sense of smell and taste. When you first stop smoking you will suddenly be able to taste and smell your food again and begin to enjoy it.
The good news is that the fat deposits deplete fairly quickly, but your body has been using these deposits as an energy source. You will need to use proper dietary measures to balance your blood sugar levels. My program provides dietary advice to aid the healing process.
How long does it take to stop smoking?
The Hypnotic Health program is three 60 minute sessions. The first session is getting to know you and preparing you to stop, you stop smoking at the second session. The third session deals with any issues that may have arisen and strengthening the hypnosis.
How do you know your success rate is high?
The reason I know that my success rate is so high is because I personally follow up with all of my clients at regular intervals.
Why choose Hypnotic Health?
Why use this quit smoking program?
How does hypnosis help me lose weight?
There are many ways that Hypnotic Health weight loss hypnosis helps you lose weight. Imagine your brain is a computer and you are getting the latest and greatest program or updates for it. Gone are the old ways of doing things instead here is a brand new touch pad and everything is easier and more accessible and you don’t even have to think about it.
The new way of doing things has allowed you to have much more time in your life for other interests, hobbies and relationships. Food cravings addictions or obsession with dieting or body image will be in your past. Instead you will be feeling amazing in your new body with a whole new approach and experiencing all these positive feelings generated by the hypnosis. Not only will it help you to lose weight but will also greatly improve your self esteem, confidence and relationship with yourself and others.
How is this different to a personal trainer or going to the gym?
My program distinguishes itself from other weight loss professionals in that I access your subconscious to heal and motivate you through hypnotherapy, counselling and NLP.
Do I have to go on a diet?
I will give you the tools and motivation to always choose the right healthy foods and allow you to eat your favourite foods so that you can live life and won’t feel that you are denying yourself.
I will also provide you with the motivation and change of mindset to make exercise a natural part of your life.
How much weight will I lose?
Body fat percentage is the best way to determine whether or not your weight loss efforts are successful.
For long term weight loss and maintenance it is best to lose between half a kilo to a kilo a week. Over a 4 week program with me you will lose between 2 to 5 kilos and have changed your whole approach to diet and exercise.
Research shows that many fad diets, with little or no exercise can cause a person to lose as much muscle tissue as fat.
Additionally, there is a good chance that this person will return to their pre-diet weight. Only now they gain back more fat and less lean muscle. Essentially , they are the same weight but they now have a higher body fat percentage and less lean muscle mass.
Weighing scales will not show any of these changes. Measuring your body fat percentage will. Measure it and you can manage it.
For example – Sam follows a proper exercise and nutrition program. After a couple of weeks of dedication and determination she notices her weight has changed only slightly if at all!
Before her program Sam weighed 100Kgs with a body fat percentage of 30%. After 2 weeks she weighs 98Kgs. But her body fat percentage has dropped to 26%. The result?
Over 4.5Kgs of highly-motivating fat loss! And she has gained around 2.5Kgs of healthy lean muscle. This situation is so common that you should never gauge the success of a weight loss program with the bathroom scales alone.
Judge your progress on actual fat loss, how you look in the mirror and compliments from friends and family.
I’m pregnant I want to see you about a specific issue, do I have to do the whole program?
No, I have seen numerous women who have had prior hypnobirthing exposure and want specific focus on issues. Regardless of previous experience it is up to you if you would prefer not to use the program.
How long does it take to lose weight?
The program is 3 x 60 minute sessions that you can take as 3 separate sessions or as a single 3 hour session (in person only). Being an individual therapy it is not possible to know your individual needs prior to the commencement of your treatment. You could need between 3 and 7 sessions.
In which trimester is it best to have the treatment?
During the second or third trimester but at least six weeks before the birth date.
Does my partner have to come to the final session?
No, it is optional.
What is the difference between Hypnotic Birthing and Hypnobirthing?
HypnoBirthing focuses on a pain and drug free natural birth. While that is the ideal, it does not prepare you for all eventualities or the transition to motherhood. My approach is to guide you to have positive and successful feelings no matter your birth experience.
Additionally, HypnoBirthing is generally group based, whereas I focus on you as an individual and your unique experience during one to one sessions. Another key differentiation is that I provide nutritional advice, HypnoBirthing does not give advice about diet.
How long is a session?
The sessions can run for 60 minutes each or for 3 hours intensive
How many sessions will I need?
I recommend a minimum of three sessions. Hypnotherapy is not a long term treatment and usually most issues can be resolved on average in three to seven sessions. My programs are all developed based on my research and experience in these specialised areas and I find the length of each program normally works well. In some cases people will require extra sessions or booster sessions if there are other issues involved. I will tell you at our initial session how many sessions you will need.
How much is a session?
How can I pay?
You can pay by credit/debit card securely online via Stripe, by direct funds transfer into my bank account or at the session using your Visa or Mastercard credit card (please note AMEX only available through Stripe). I will accept cash only by arrangement.
Can I be assured of confidentiality?
I adhere to the Australian Society of Clinical Hypnotherapists strict code of ethics. All sessions are completely confidential.
What happens if I cancel?
If you cancel within 24 hours I will refund half the cost of the session to cover my costs. Outside of 24 hours I will refund in full or reschedule your appointment for you.
Where are you located?
Hypnotic Health
185 Elizabeth Street
