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Hypnotherapy and Clinical Hypnosis
About Hypnosis, its Purpose and Use in Mental Health and Coaching
What is Hypnosis?

Every day we experience hypnotic states, e.g. when we daydreamPicture by Christopher Michel @ flickr, Licence: CC BY 2.0
Whilst people who are in a deep hypnotic trance certainly look as if they are asleep, hypnosis is not sleep even if it might share some important characteristics with it. Furthermore research into hypnosis has consistently demonstrated that people will only follow those hypnotic suggestions that are not in contradiction with their fundamental interests or value systems.
Hypnotic trance is actually a natural state and one in which we find ourselves every day. It occurs when we perform activities which we know well such as driving a car. Then we are in a light state of hypnosis characterised by a feeling of control, increased attention and ability to concentrate. It occurs in moments when we are so absorbed (focussed) in our thoughts that we do not notice what is happening around us. Then we call it things like, “being on autopilot”, “lost in thought”, reverie, daydreaming or even remembering.
The difference between what we refer to as (the process of) hypnosis and these spontaneously occurring (hypnotic) trance states is the conscious setting of a goal in advance of going into the hypnotic state. (Self-) hypnosis starts with having a specific goal such as achieving a mental or physical state (e.g. to relax, to switch off, to gain relief from pain) or finding a solution for a problem. Mental suggestions and images (e.g. imagining an inner place of serenity) are then used during the hypnosis to reach this goal. Under hypnosis such images and suggestions have a much more potent effect than under normal conditions. Often when we try and solve problems with logic and rationality we counter new ideas and imagined proposals for solutions with scepticism and criticism. Under hypnosis however the critical voice of the conscious mind is suspended and suggestions and images can make their way unencumbered into the subconscious mind.
What Happens to the Mind and Body “Under Hypnosis”?
The brain has four different brain wave states: alpha, beta, delta and theta. Currently whilst you are reading this webpage your brain will most probably be in a beta state. This state is the usual state our brain is in when we are awake and alert. The alpha state is a state characterised by relaxation. In this state we can enhanced access to capabilities such as creativity and visualisation. An even deeper level of relaxation is reached with the theta state along with heightened access to memories. When we fall asleep and just before we wake up our brain passes through the theta state. The delta state occurs whilst we are actually sleeping. Our bodies use this state to heal. Hypnosis (in varying depth) and meditation can occur in alpha, theta and delta states whereby the theta state is the most commonly occurring state during such activities.
Some parts of the mind and functions of the body are not accessible through conscious effort but can be accessed through hypnosis. For example, it is not possible to increase one’s own heart frequency by 10% or to raise one’s hand temperature one or two degrees by an act of conscious effort. Under hypnosis though such changes which require biochemical, physiological and emotional processes are indeed possible.
Hypnosis relieves tension on mental and physical levels and induces deep relaxation. The vegetative nervous system powers down resulting in a deeper, more even and calmer respiration, muscle tone decreased and the pulse rate, heart frequency and the metabolism all slow down. These changes promote biological healing processes and free up mental energies for use in creative processes. The hold on the mind of logic, rationality, criticism and scepticism is suspended and with these constraints removed the mind is free to make use of constructive ideas and positive suggestions. In the absence of self-deprecation ego-strengthening (e.g. building self-esteem and self-worth) is possible.
What Steps are there to the Process of Hypnosis?
A hypnosis process as I practice it can be broadly described as follows:What Topics and Problems can Hypnosis be used for?
Hypnosis and hypnotherapy can be effectively deployed for a variety of topics:
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Lists of the topics which I frequently work with as a psychotherapist, counsellor and business coach can be found here: