Hypnosis
What does hypnosis offer in the context of therapy sessions?
Hypnosis can be defined as a state of mind in which our focus is either on ourselves or on a different place and where we are less aware of our surroundings. A metaphor for hypnosis might be to listen to music through headphones that block out some of the surrounding sounds, instead of using speakers. We can create this increased focus either on our own (self-hypnosis) or with the help of a therapist (hetero-hypnosis). Working with a therapist, hypnosis can be used to aid the therapeutic process.
"Trance is a natural everyday experience." ― Milton H. Erickson
About hypnosis
Hypnosis is more common than you may think
Focusing our attention inside (on our thoughts and memories) or on our body is something normal and part of our daily lives. States of daydreaming, getting lost in a book, movie, or music, or being absorbed in a conversation, can be seen as a sort of natural trance state that we experience regularly and over which we usually have control. Equally, physical activities like any sport or work can have this effect, particularly when we focus so closely on the activity that everything else is excluded and we get “in the zone”.
Clients therefore are usually already able to enter a certain level of natural trance when they come to therapy. In my work I teach them how to enter these states easily, quickly and at will. For each client this method is individualised so that it provides the most relaxing experience.
How we use hypnosis
Hypnosis can be a powerful clinical tool
Hypnotherapy is the use of these natural trance states for therapeutic purposes. This is always a process of cooperation between the client and me as therapist. I will guide them and/or teach them how to use these techniques to work on making the desired within themselves. Treating those individual issues using natural trance states (hypnosis) should only be done by a therapist also qualified to use the required therapeutic skills without hypnosis. Hypnosis alone will not be good enough.
When dealing with deep psychological issues or psychiatric illness hypnotherapy alone is not an adequate approach and may even be contra-indicated. I am qualified to work with these conditions.
Hypno-psychotherapy
Hypnotherapy and psychotherapy working together
Hypno-psychotherapy is the proper name for the clinical application of hypnosis to enhance psychotherapy. It is a branch of psychotherapy that is recognised by the UKCP. Hypno-psychotherapists should be qualified to a Master’s degree level, as well as being trained to deal with deep psychological issues and psychiatric illness. I have the required training and qualifications.
Get in touch
To learn more about hypnotherapy and hypno-psychotherapy, contact me. Appointments in Swansea and Llanelli. Please complete the contact form for more information.