The state of hypnosis is actually completely natural state that you go into many times a day without realising – perhaps when you’ve driven your car on a familiar journey on auto pilot, or when you find yourself day dreaming out of the window, or whilst reading a book or watching a film.
Hypnotherapy is the application of therapeutic techniques and approaches whilst in this natural state. It's completely safe and can help bring about change more quickly, as your mind is open and receptive to helpful suggestions in this altered state of consciousness.
We sometimes refer to this state as 'trance'.
Formal use of Hypnotherapy first emerged in the 1700’s.
“Hypnosis is:
• a natural state of heightened awareness
• opens the mind to beneficial suggestions
• makes use of the imagination to help make positive changes”
(source: The Hypnotherapy Association)
There is nothing scary about it – in fact it’s usually a lovely and incredibly relaxing feeling.
YOU are the one in control during hypnosis/hypnotherapy. Clients are completely able and free to get up and leave during a hypnotherapy session if they wish (not that anyone ever has!)
