Hypnotherapy is the therapeutic introduction of certain ideas into the mind while the patient is in a relaxed and comfortable state. It is now becoming widely accepted as a form of alternative therapy, which has proved successful in the treatment of stresses and various depressive conditions.

Contrary to popular belief however the process of hypnotherapy is one that is carried out while the subject is conscious and at no time do they lose consciousness.

How Hypnotherapy Can Help With Stress

Stress – as many sufferers can testify – is a suggestive state whereby the mind tells the individual that things are overwhelming them. This is a suggestive condition where the mind literally is running wild and the idea of hypnotherapy is to help the sufferer get back some of the control over the mind and to bring about – not an end – but certainly a reduction in stress levels.

Of course hypnotherapy is not simply used for the treatment of stress; it is also used for the treatment of pain bowel conditions, phobias, panic attacks and addictions such as smoking.

For the most part however the use of hypnotherapy is mainly for the treatment of stress, which many sufferers find limits their ability to fulfill a meaningful life or relationship.

What Will Happen During Hypnotherapy

A hypnotherapist will first take a medical history from you to ascertain that hypnotherapy is right for you and that it is not interfering with any conventional treatments you may be undergoing. Again, as with all alternative therapies, it is worth consulting your G.P about your desire to try hypnotherapy and ask their opinion and advice before embarking on it as a treatment.

Once in your relaxed state the hypnotherapist will ask you to move away from the events that have been troubling you and focus on your breathing and the relaxed state in which you find yourself. At this point he will make certain suggestions to you such as ‘you are not stressed’ or ‘you are feeling relaxed’. This, as in the case of self hypnosis or yoga, is auto suggestion; the subconscious mind telling the conscious mind that things are not necessary as they appear. In this relaxed state your heart rate and metabolism slow down, as does your breathing and studies have shown that the individual’s brain waves change.

At the end of your hypnotherapy session the hypnotherapist may suggest some self hypnosis exercises, which may include:

• Relaxation: Finding a means of relaxing in a quiet room
• Deepening: Counting down into a relaxed state
• Suggestion: Repeating statements or ‘mantras’ that correspond to that which you wish to achieve
• Ending: Counting back to a fully alert state

Success of Hypnotherapy

Studies have shown that hypnotherapy does work and can be used in the aid of many different psychological conditions; stress being one of the most commonly treated ailments.

Most Hypnotherapy sessions can last up to an hour but many Hypnotherapists agree that in order for the sufferer of stress to fully benefit from the treatment that they should have a number of sessions