What Is Hypnosis And How Does It Work?Hypnosis has a huge amount of potential to help you to be more how you would like but many people misunderstand what hypnosis is and how it works. This page is intended to help you understand the realities of the subject.

The ability to enter into a hypnotic trance is something that all humans are capable of doing and have been doing on a very regular basis for thousands of years.

It was in the 1840′s when a man called James Braid coined the term ‘hypnosis’ and ‘hypnotism’. He modified a theory called “Animal Magnetism” which was proposed by Franz Mesmer.

The term ‘hypnosis’ is defined by many today as “The induction of a state of consciousness in which a person apparently loses the power of voluntary action and is highly responsive to suggestion or direction.”

There are many theories of what hypnotherapy is and is not but we will save those points for another post. This post is intended to give you an idea of what hypnosis is and how it works.

OK, so hypnosis is defined by some as a state of consciousness or a state of mind. Some people think that hypnosis has a direct effect on the mind and affects the mental state of the person being hypnotised. Others think that hypnosis is a bit like play acting and that people are just going along with the suggestions they are given.

To my mind it doesn’t matter which it is so long as there is a definite effect as a result of being hypnotised which has been shown to be true in many studies. I have also seen in my face to face work with people who visit my Sheffield hypnotherapy practise that there can be a direct and profound effect from hypnotherapy.

Focused Hypnosis: Sheffield Hypnotherapy Call Richard Hennessy on 0114 383 0123

How Is A Hypnotic State Of Mind Brought On?The process of hypnotherapy can vary from therapist to therapist so I will describe what I do with the clients I see as that is probably of the most interest to you. The process begins with a consultation which is where we meet and discuss the aspects of your life that you would like to change. This usually lasts an hour to an hour and a half.

Following on from this session, usually a week later, is the first treatment session. This begins by helping you to relax.

This is done through sitting in a comfortable chair and me asking you to close your eyes and to breathe slowly and deeply. This is a very natural and effective way to begin the process of relaxing. I then mention times in the past which you have found relaxing, times which we will have discussed at the consultation the week before.

A Hypnotic InductionIn talking in a soothing and hypnotic way and by talking about times you remember being relaxed and by breathing slowly and deeply you are already in a light kind of hypnotic trance. As you remember that relaxing holiday (for example) you will remember how you felt and this will have an impact on you and allow you to relax more and more.

Focused Hypnosis: Sheffield Hypnotherapy Call Richard Hennessy on 0114 383 0123

A Hypnotic DeepenerThrough the use of hypnotic language I am then able to help you reach a deeper level of relaxation. this is done sometimes with guided images whereby I take you on a journey in your mind.

A common one many people are aware of is the walking down a staircase. As you take each step down you are given suggestions for further and deeper relaxation.

The Power Of Hypnotic SuggestionOnce in this more relaxed frame of mind a variety of other techniques are used. Sometimes I tell stories which are a great way to communicate with the unconscious mind. Sometimes I give direct instructions like “you will stop eating when you are full”.

Sometimes I use indirect suggestion like “will you find yourself becoming more aware of how full you are when you eat?” There are a whole range of other techniques and methods I use but this is just to give you an idea of the process.

Depending on the individual being hypnotised and the issue being addressed there will be a number of sessions designed to focus on that individual and their goals. the process is intended to be as fast and as effective as possible.

Focused Hypnosis: Sheffield Hypnotherapy Call Richard Hennessy on 0114 383 0123