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hypnotherapy - what it is and how it is used
What is hypnotherapy?
'Hypnotherapy' is the combination of 'hypnosis' with 'therapy' which, together provides rapid, effective and long-term relief from many physical and psychological problems. There are three main types: Suggestion Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and Analytical Therapy.
Suggestion therapy is a very simple way of challenging false beliefs or negative information by reinforcing positive messages with beneficial statements. Suggestion is not unique to hypnotherapy of course, it is very much part of everyday life. If you are leaving the house and somebody says 'don't forget your coat', the suggestion is that you may get cold later. Billions of pounds are invested by advertisers, using slogans, words and/or images to suggest that their product will enhance your life in some way. We really cannot avoid suggestion though we can decide whether to accept, reject or pay no attention to it. You have the same choices during hypnotherapy, though only beneficial, helpful and positive suggestions are ever made.
Solution focused brief therapy (SFBT) is attributed to Steve de Shazer and his wife, Insoo Kim Berg who developed the techniques at their Brief Family Therapy Family Center in Milwaukee, USA in the 1980's. It incorporates much from previous pioneers of brief therapy, including Milton Erickson, Richard Bandler and John Grindler amongst others. SFBT focuses on what clients want to achieve rather than on the problem(s) that made them seek help. The focus is not on the past, but on the present and future, with the belief that change is constant. Clients are helped to identify the things that they wish to change in their life and also to attend to those things that are currently happening that they wish to continue happening. Although these constructs are established without using hypnosis, the 'preferred future' is often mentally rehearsed during hypnosis using guided imagery, reframing and metaphor. In this way shifts in perspective can be made at very fundamental levels and through better connections to inner resources and abilities, solutions can be realised and goals and achievements obtained.
Analytical therapy is the use of hypnosis to uncover childhood trauma through regression and the release of repressed memories. In 1870 Freud said "A repressed memory is a memory that is currently inaccessible to the conscious awareness. Once a memory is retrieved it may be experienced [and re-evaluated] in the conscious mind". This was thought to be achieved through abreaction and catharsism. Although there are still clinical hypnotherapists who practice analytical techniques today, it is now considered an out-dated and unpopular methodology.
What can I expect in a session?
The first session is the free initial consultation and lasts between 45 minutes to an hour. After a small amount of necessary information gathering, we talk about hypnotherapy and explain how it can help you. Subsequent sessions are usually an hour long. The first 30 minutes will be discussion based, incorporating various psychotherapy, SFBT and cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) techniques. The hypnosis part of the session takes anything between 20-30 minutes. We always work with our clients and will not use any techniques, questions, suggestions or methods that cause discomfort or unease.
How many session will I need?
In line with the concepts of brief therapy, we aim always to help you overcome your problems as quickly and in as few sessions as possible. Therapy is designed to suit each individual's needs so the number of sessions varies with the individual. We can give an indication at the initial consultation but we remain flexible and adapt as therapy progression dictates.
As a general guide for example:
Fears and Phobias: approx. 3 - 4 sessions
Depression: approx. 8 -12 sessions
Confidence: approx. 5 - 6 sessions
Anxiety: approx. 5 -10 sessions
Anger Management: approx. 6 sessions
Smoking: 1 double session
Exam/Test Nerves: approx. 2 - 3 sessions
Childbirth: approx. 3 - 4 sessions
Pain Management: approx. 5 -10 sessions
Please come and see us for your initial free consultation and we will be able to give you an insight into how we can help and approximately how long it will take.
When, where and how often?
Currently, day, evening and Saturday morning appointments are available as follows:
* at The Chiron Centre, Westbury Road, Westbury on Trym
(Thursday evenings and other days/times by arrangement)
(www.chironcentre.co.uk)
* at our clinic in Brislington, just of West Town Lane
(Monday-Thursday late afternoons and evenings and Saturday mornings)
* occasionally in your home (if the therapist is agreeable eg for agoraphobia)
* in the workplace (if suitable/necessary)
Sessions are designed to suit an individual's needs though are ideally held at weekly intervals. For longer term teatments (such as depression or weight management) as therapy progresses, sessions may be increased to fortnightly then finally to monthly if deemed appropriate. |
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