Hypnotherapy-Perth

What is hypnosis?

Hypnosis or trance if you prefer is a naturally occurring altered state of consciousness. I don't know if any of you have encountered any of the following:-

• If you've ever watched a film and something happens that suddenly makes you jump, laugh, cry or feel excited.
• If you've ever driven a long way and you arrive home and realise that you can't remember driving the last 150 miles.
• If you've ever watched the football or any sport on the telly and your hand stops halfway to your mouth suspending the tin of beer you are drinking while you wait to see what happens.
• If you've ever been deep in conversation with someone and the time has flown past.
• If you've ever read a book and you've become so engrossed that you lost all track of time.
• If you've ever sat in a classroom, office, workshop or meeting and drifted of into a daydream.

All of the above are naturally occurring, everyday examples of hypnosis and the fact that you have experience of one or more of these states means that you are a fantastic hypnotic subject and that you can go into trance or a hypnotic state any time you want to.

Will I lose control?

This is a compelling myth particularly if you have seen stage hypnotists in action.

I believe that all hypnosis is self-hypnosis. You are in control. The hypnotist provides suggestions and guidelines that you interpret and make sense of. Ultimately it is up to you whether or not you accept or reject the suggestion made.

I don't believe it is possible to make someone do something that contravenes of conflicts with their core beliefs and values.

There are however certain factors that can influence whether a persons suggestions are accepted or rejected.

• How conducive to relaxation your surroundings are.
• The type of background music played.
• The intention of the person offering the suggestions.
• The relationship and rapport present between the people concerned.
• The authority of the person making the suggestions.
• The state of the person receiving the suggestions.
• Tone and pace of voice.
• Type of language used.
• Whether the suggestions made fit the recipients belief and value system.

Will I remember anything after being hypnotised?

When we are working in the conscious mind we are very focused. The conscious mind can only process a limited amount of data at any given time. For instance as I am sitting writing this I am aware of my fingers moving over the keyboard and I can hear a dog barking down stairs. My attention moves and focuses on certain sets of sensory input in much the same way as a flashbulb illuminates certain aspects of a room as it pans around.

The unconscious mind is everything else. It is capable of processing millions of pieces of sensory input automatically all at the same time.

As a result of this some people, including myself, are reported to experience a heightened awareness whilst in trance.

What if I don't come out of trance?

Remember what I said previously - all hypnosis is self-hypnosis and you are in control.