Hypnosis/Hypnotherapy

What is Hypnosis and What Does Hypnosis Feel Like?

Many people worry about going into hypnosis, and have misconceptions about what it is, often due to how it is portrayed on TV and other media.

Hypnosis is simply a focused state of attention and heightened suggestibility in which a person becomes more open to suggestions, guidance and change. Scientifically, it involves shifting brain activity, particularly in areas related to attention, perception, and self-awareness, such as the prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex. In this state, the critical, analytical part of the mind becomes less dominant. Hypnosis is not sleep as some people think, but rather a state of concentrated awareness where thoughts, behaviours, and even physiological, body responses can be influenced.

Hypnosis is often induced using verbal suggestions, guided imagery, or rhythmic speech patterns, leading to a state where the person may experience deep relaxation and heightened focus. Everyone experiences hypnosis in a slightly different way, some relax very deeply, and others feel alert throughout the experience.

Hypnotherapists often use the terms subconscious/unconscious and conscious to describe the different parts of the brain and the type of processing that occurs in each. Neuroscience doesn’t support the exact terms “subconscious” and “conscious” in the way psychology does, however brain research does support the existence of different levels of awareness and processing.

The term conscious mind is a metaphor for the area of the mind that is responsible for logical thinking, reasoning, decision-making, and voluntary actions. It processes information actively and deals with immediate awareness, like solving a problem or making a choice.

The subconscious/unconscious mind, on the other hand, is a metaphor for the part of the mind that operates below conscious awareness and controls automatic functions like breathing, emotions, habits, memories, and deeply ingrained beliefs. It is also where learned behaviours, fears, and unconscious patterns reside.

While the conscious mind acts as a gatekeeper, filtering and analysing information, the subconscious mind stores and executes long-term programming, making it a powerful force in shaping behaviour and emotional responses.

What is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is a form of therapy that utilizes hypnosis to help individuals address various issues such as stress, anxiety, negative thoughts, beliefs, and behaviours. It can also be used very successfully, to help people lose weight, modify eating patterns, improve sleep and stop smoking etc. Whilst Madeleine specialises in using Hypnotherapy (along with other tools) to help people heal their relationship with food, reduce cravings, lose weight and improve their body image, it can be used to help people overcome all sorts of issues, including stopping smoking/vaping, phobias, poor sleep and anxiety symptoms etc.

Can Hypnotherapy Be Used for Anything Else?

Hypnotherapy can be used for all manner of purposes. It is often used to help enhance sports performance, improve confidence and overcome fear of public speaking. Its uses are too many to mention so if you want to find out if it could help you-just book a free, no obligation discovery call.

How Exactly Does Hypnotherapy Work?

The exact mechanism of how hypnosis works is not fully understood, but there are several theories and explanations based on current research and understanding
One theory is that hypnosis can bypass critical thinking and reasoning, performed by the conscious part of the mind, which is responsible for our everyday thinking, decision making, and logic. This part of our brain becomes more passive. This allows direct communication to take part with the unconscious mind (sometimes referred to as the subconscious mind). This can potentially uncover emotions, beliefs and memories that may be influencing a person’s thoughts, feelings and behaviours. In this highly suggestible state, an individual is more open to making positive changes and acting upon suggestions that align with their preferred beliefs and goals.

What Happens During a Hypnotherapy Session?

During the first hypnotherapy session, a consultation will take place, and Madeleine will gather a lot of information about the issue you’d like support with.

Secondly, Madeleine will have a chat with you about the issue you’d like help with, and she may offer advice to support you outside of the session. Sometimes other techniques such as EFT and NLP may be used prior to the actual hypnotherapy session. Madeleine will explain what hypnosis is and what you can expect. You’ll have time to ask questions too.

Finally, Madeleine will guide you into hypnosis, and the change work can begin/continue. You may feel very alert or very relaxed, whilst in hypnosis. The main thing is that you simply allow the experience to happen and actively engage, when asked to.

Therapists often use a variety of modalities alongside hypnotherapy, (which will be discussed with you in the chat), which may also be utilised whilst in a hypnotic state.

People sometimes think that hypnotherapy is done ‘to’ them. There is a misconception that the therapist will wave a magic wand and the client will be fixed. However, hypnotherapy is a collaborative process, in which clients need to fully engage in the process.

How Many Sessions Are Required?

Difficult one to answer. Simple phobias can be dealt with in one or two sessions. Many people may feel benefits after one session, but further sessions ae required to make permanent changes. Three to eight sessions is not uncommon, but you will have the chance to review your progress along the way. Sometimes session ‘packages‘ are used, which require you to commit for a certain number of sessions. Experience indicates these packages contain the most effective number of sessions for that issue.
In between sessions, you may be given a recording to listen to, or shown techniques to use at home.

What is the Difference Between Stage Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy?

Often people are anxious about trying Hypnotherapy as they have seen stage hypnosis and are worried of losing control or being made to do something silly. People chosen to come on stage “buy into” the experience and are willing participants- even if It doesn’t always appear this way to the audience.

In Hypnotherapy sessions, hypnosis is used purely to make positive and therapeutic changes. You will always be in control-much like you could stop yourself daydreaming if you needed to.