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Hypnosis – is there anything to fear?

Have you heard lots about the benefits of hypnotherapy yet are still hesitant because of the way the media portrays it?  Would you be surprised to learn that the media representation of hypnosis is incorrect, inaccurate and it’s more to do with hype and fantasy than anything else.

Even though there is now scientific evidence that hypnosis actually does work many of us find ourselves still only thinking about it. So what is it that stops you taking that final step?

The other day a client called about coming along to an initial consultation and explained how scared and apprehensive she was.  She had been referred to me by a friend and even though her friend had a positive experience she still remained anxious and fearful.

This can be typical for many people so I thought I would set the record straight and explain a bit about how it works.

SO LET’S DESCRIBE A TYPICAL HYPNOTIC TRANCE:

If you get up in the mornings without an alarm or if you have been asleep and are just in that semi awake state, not asleep yet not quite awake. You can probably remember a time right now when you felt like that.

It’s just that you know you could get up, you can hear everything that’s going on, you are aware you are not asleep but it’s just really comfortable and you are very relaxed.. ~ That’s it, that’s what being in a trance is like. You’re in control -totally! You could get up but it’s so comfortable and easy to stay where you are. Yet if you had to get up and deal with something you could.

Let’s get the answers to a few questions that keep coming up.

Question: Will I lose control?

Answer: Absolutely not! And don’t believe anyone who tells you differently.  It is similar to visualisation or day dreaming. You are aware and in control at all times, you can hear everything that is said and if you needed to get up for any reason you would. You subconscious mind will reject any suggestion that goes against your value or belief system.  All hypnosis is self hypnosis and your therapist is acting as your guide to help you go where you need to go to understand and then resolve the problems or issues you have

Question: Can I get stuck?

Answer: This is just not possible – remember control stays totally with you. You will simply return to your normal awake state feeling refreshed and with a great sense of achievement.  You can only either be awake or asleep.

Question: Will I reveal private issues under hypnosis?

Answer: You are fully under your own control and it is just not possible to force anyone in hypnosis to reveal anything that they do not want to reveal. As a registered therapist I signed a Hypnotherapy Oath which ensures that I abide by the highest levels of ethics and confidentiality.  I also believe that in some situations therapy can be achieved entirely without content and in this case I would respect your need for privacy.

Question: Will I suffer any side affects?

Answer: Probably, you may just feel a whole lot better than you have felt in a long time!  Most clients have the best sleep the night after the session.  Twenty minutes of hypnosis is like 2 hours of deep sleep.  There are no recorded incidents of any harm being cause by hypnosis.

Question:  I don’t think I can be hypnotised?

Answer: Most people can be hypnotised to some degree, however only if you want to be. Hypnosis is a consent state so there is no way you can be hypnotised if you do not want it to happen. Typically 20% of people will experience deep hypnosis, 60% mid level and 20% light hypnosis.

Question: What will being hypnotized feel like?

Answer: You will have probably seen people being hypnotized on the stage and looking completely ‘out of it’ well that’s so far from the truth in a therapy setting. Yes, you will probably feel really relaxed and comfortable and the thing is you will hear everything being said to you, and you can respond, it’s just that you will have your eyes closed.  Trance is described in different ways by different people because we are all unique.  Most people explain it as a feeling of floating or drifting or feeling so relaxed and at peace.  But all are in agreement that it is pleasant and most believe that they have never relaxed as deeply as they do in trance.

Question: How many sessions will I need?’

Answer:  It is very rare that 1 or 2 sessions will fix any problem.  However sometimes with things like phobias that started in adulthood or motivation/focus it may be possible to deal with these in a couple of sessions.  In the majority of instances there is a process that needs to be followed and it takes anything from 5 to 10 sessions depending on what you are working on.  Virtual Gastric Band takes 4 sessions and Quit Smoking 2/3 sessions.  Because everyone is unique and because the therapy is client centred the therapist will initially recommend a treatment program and amend and modify it based on progress.  It is rare for anyone to need more than 10 sessions.

So where from here. 

If you now have enough information and feel ready to give it a go then pick up the phone and call Elaine on 040774456 or make an appointment.  However if you still have even just a little apprehension and that stops you from making that call then there is one other way to find out if it’s right for you and that’s to come along for an Free Introductory Consultation and meet Elaine in person.   For some people it’s important that, before you make a decision, you have all your questions answered in person.  Successful hypnotherapy is based on having a good rapport with the therapist. The only cost of this is 20 minutes of your time!

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Naturopathic Insights from Debbie’s trip to Europe

Trip notes from Debbie Leigh

Sudeley Castle

During a recent overseas holiday, my partner and I spent a little time in the beautiful Cotswold Hills in the south of England.  While we were there, we visited the historic imageSudeley Castle.  The Castle was once home to Queen Katherine Parr, the last and surviving wife of Henry the 8th.  The Castle also had connections with Anne Boleyn, Lady Jane Grey, Elizabeth the 1st and Richard the 3rd.  During the civil war, Charles the 1st found refuge in the Castle when it was used as a base by his nephew Prince Rupert.

To my delight, the grounds by the Castle included a Native Medicinal Herbs Garden featuring wild plants renowned for their nutritional and healing properties.  Many of them were used to create medicines during the Tudor period (1485-1603).Deb Castle photo Herbal medicine was highly valued and commonly used during that time and beyond. The garden is well set out with signage and information about how particular plants were used. While I use herbs that are native to different regions of the globe, my training began with European naturopathy. The following provides a brief history of herbal medicine in the UK.?

A brief history of herbal medicine in the UK

milk thistle
Milk Thistle

Herbal medicine has its roots at the beginning of human history on every continent. In Britain during the Middle Ages, scholars began to recognise the importance of diet, lifestyle, and herbal remedies.  Many people subscribed to the Doctrine of Signatures, a theory suggesting herbs had been ‘signed’ by God meaning their appearance and characteristics gave clues to their medicinal uses. For example, milk thistle (Carduus marianus) was believed to help promote milk flow for nursing mothers because of the milky looking white stains on its leaves.  The yellow flowers of the dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) were believed to be good for jaundice. The yellow colour was thought to reflect the colour of bile.

In the 1600s, Nicholas Culpeper angered mainstream physicians and apothecaries by encouraging people to use simple local herbs rather than buy exotic and expensive imported remedies. He had translated several medical textbooks of herbal remedies and treatments. He translated them from Latin into English making treatments accessible to the ordinary people. Over the centuries, women were often central to herbal medicine but paid dearly for their dedication to healing through being labelled as witches.

In the 1800s, the work of an American named Samuel Thompson became popular in the West and in 1864 the National Association of Medical Herbalists was established in Britain. It was later renamed the National Institute of Medical Herbalists.  Today, training a registered herbalist includes the latest scientific research into herbal medicine and the study of medical sciences including nutrition, diseased states, and diagnostic skills

 

Eden Project

imageMy holiday in the UK included Stewart and me, undertaking a seven-day trek along the coast of Cornwall. Afterwards, we visited the nearby Eden Project. We had only recently heard about this visitor attraction and were a bit hesitant about what it would be like; It was quite an eye opener. Eden Project is set in a reclaimed clay quarry with extensive garden displays of plants from all around the world.  The exhibits and activities strike a balance between beauty, entertainment and interactive learning. In addition to extraordinary and stunning flowering plants, information is provided on the vital role of flora on our planet as well as their various uses such as for food, medicine, materials and fuels.

imageThe complex is dominated by two huge covered domes that house thousands of plant species. The Tropical Biome is 55 metres high and the Mediterranean Biome is 35 metres high. Their tubular steel frames are clad with UV resistant inflated plastic panels that let in light and regulate the climate. The Eden Project has a strong education and facilitation role including engaging local communities, business and schools in projects that aim to bring about environmental, social, economic regeneration.  For example, fostering local partnerships and commercial opportunities associated with sustainable agriculture.