There are typically 4 stages to a hypnosis session:

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1. Hypnotic Induction – A classic hypnotic induction usually incorporates both physical and mental relaxation, however there are an abundance of methods use and this will depend on the environmental factors and personal preferences.

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2. Deepening – The intention of a deepening is simply to encourage a deeper state of relaxation and dissociation from the external world.

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3. Processing – The client usually reaches ‘the work’ having experienced a deep sense of the ultimate relaxation and now while the client is into hypnosis usually suggestion and /or analytical process takes place.

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4. Release – This is the process of the client being released from trance and bringing them back to their usual state of awareness.

 

Typical Styles of Effective Hypnotherapy:

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Suggestion Therapy (or else known as Clinical Hypnotherapy)

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This is where the therapist “suggests” a new idea while the client is in the ultimate state of relaxation, a hypnotic trance.  The intention is for the suggestion to continue to be effective after the trance is completed (post hypnosis). Such suggestions are predictably called “Post Hypnotic Suggestions” Consequently suggestion therapy has the potential to help you to change specific thoughts, feelings and behaviour, and become the person you want to be. Below are a few areas suggestion therapy can help with:

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Are you suffering from a fear or phobia? Do you genuinely want to be free of it? 

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Ouch!!!! Exasperated by pain, do you want to live a life on cloud nine that is stress and pain free?

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Sick and tired of being The Fat Friend, had it with seal clapping ‘clubs’, ready for your mind to be reprogrammed, be the slim, healthy desirable  person you know you are without a diet sheet in sight?

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Do you want to drive a jag? Ready to give up the fags? If smoking, choking, death and disease are ready to be put firmly in your past, it’s possible you will not die before your loved ones?

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Analytical Hypnotherapy (or else known as Hypno-Analysis)

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Through Analytical Hypnotherapy the therapist is looking to reveal the root cause of a disorder or symptom, for example a traumatic past experience which has been suppressed by the unconscious as a fantastic way of protecting the client. Once the trauma is discovered it can be processed therapeutically.

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Common forms of Hypnoanalysis include:

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·         Regression to cause

·         Progressive age regression

·         Free regression

·         Free association

·         “Past Life” regression

 

Fundamentals for treating children:

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Children under 16 years old should have a an appropriate adult in the session unless both the child/young person and the adult give consent, owing “Gillick Competence” This essentially means the child/young person has demonstrated relevant competence that they are able to make an informed decision and would prefer an adult not to be involved in the process. This will be respected under the proviso the child/young person displays "sufficient understanding and maturity to enable them to understand fully what is proposed” 

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We usually assume at the House of Therapy one appropriate adult will be present up to the age of 16, at which point the therapist will give them a choice. Prior to this if the child/young person looks embarrassed or uneasy because they are uncomfortable sharing information in front of adult, the adult will be offered to step outside the consulting room for a while if both are happy to do so. Experience with working with children, this starts with pre-teens. Be mindful this is a chronological age and not emotional development, hence some 17 year olds prefer their mum, dad or guardian to be present and that’s perfectly ok. There are no hard and fast rules, the child/young person may start off with mum, dad or guardian and when they feel more comfortable ask them to leave.

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Age suitability for treatment

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Contrary to popular belief we can’t hypnotise a baby to sleep! 

In reality it’s usual to work with children from about 7 or 8 years old upwards, this is very much dependant on their interaction thus enabling the therapist to improve their emotional well-being and other difficulties thy may be experiencing. Naturally there are some exceptions but generally a child/young person’s communication improves with their age and natural development.