Hypnotherapy explained

Hypnotherapy is the use of the relaxing state of hypnosis combined with other therapeutic techniques for treating emotional or psychological problems.

At my Cheltenham Hypnotherapy Clinic there are TWO very different types of hypnotherapy (outlined below) that I use to help clients depending on their individual case. Sometimes the therapies can be combined...

Suggestion therapy
This type of hypnotherapy uses a combination of the relaxing state of hypnosis and positive suggestions to treat so-called minor conditions such as stopping smoking, losing weight, fear of public speaking, fear of flying, driving test nerves and other similar situations.

Hypnotic suggestions are especially powerful when combined with positive emotions (such as feeling 'proud to be a non smoker') and clients find it easier to achieve goals through use of their imagination, rather than sheer conscious effort or willpower.

Suggestion therapy can also be used in the treatment of children for problems such as bedwetting, anxiety or school problems, and many children respond remarkably well to the gentle nature of hypnotherapy.

10 facts about REAL therapeutic hypnosis

In hypnosis you are always fully AWAKE Hypnosis is wonderfully RELAXING You will always feel IN CONTROL whilst in hypnosis Common sensations include feeling HEAVY, light or tingly EVERYBODY can be hypnotised into a light relaxing state You will be able to REMEMBER everything about the session You can TALK easily in hypnosis (and in analysis (below) are encouraged to do so) It doesn't matter how much you relax as long as you feel COMFORTABLE In hypnotherapy you can relax gently at your OWN PACE You won't fall asleep!

Analytical hypnotherapy (aka Pure Hypnoanalysis)
Pure Hypnoanalysis, a special type of hypnotherapy in which IAPH members are highly trained, is quite simply one of the BEST and most successful therapies available in the therapeutic world today for helping people to permanently resolve their unconscious anxieties and conflicts, freeing them from their symptoms and problems in life.

Pure (adjective): unmodified, simple, clean.

Hypnoanalysis (noun): "A therapeutic technique in which a client is relaxed in hypnosis and utilising a method known as free association, sets out to release and resolve bottled-up emotions, conflicts and anxieties"

Pure Hypnoanalysis is so successful because every person that has an anxiety related symptom has some 'bottled up emotions' deep down that are causing their symptoms, and these emotions (because they are hidden away and not dealt with) are causing untold grief and anxiety in the back of their mind.

By far the quickest and most natural way then to help people with anxiety is simply to go back to the main emotional conflict (the 'bottled up' bit) which is almost always from childhood or younger years, and bring up those emotions up in a very safe, non-judged and supportive atmosphere - leaving the client at the end of therapy free from their anxiety and its effects or symptoms.

How hypnoanalysis works
This type of hypnotherapy in which IAPH practitioners specialise involves the use of the relaxing hypnotic state for comfort and relaxation and then using the remainding session time to link experiences together (by talking about them, sometimes called free association) to eventually resolve/get rid of these internal emotions that are causing the problem or symptom.

Hypnoanalysis involves a weekly session of about 50 minutes, and the course of therapy usually lasts somewhere between 6-12 sessions.

A completely natural, and amazingly effective therapy
Why is hypnoanalysis SO different from virtually every other therapy out there?

Well....some other therapies promise a 'quick fix' or give you medication to mask the underlying symptoms. Some therapies give coping strategies such as breathing techniques or simple coping mechanisms that are great for a while...but don't last. Others, such as psychotherapy, last many years (and cost thousands of pounds) in an attempt to intellectualise over the problem and symptoms. Sometimes people try and talk you through your worries - but often only picking on the things which the therapist THINKS is important - which usually provides a short term but not a long term benefit or permanent release from your symptoms.

Resolving the root cause of the problem
Hypnoanalysis isn't just 'counselling' or traditional psychotherapy (which takes years and thousands of hours). Hypnoanalysis isn't talking through 'any-old stuff'...every symptom caused by psychosomatic or psychological forces must have an originating cause and all we do is create a safe, caring, trusting, confidential relationship and slowly and gently help you to release those 'bottled up' emotions so that you can go on to lead a much happier and more relaxed life.

This is a completely natural process...it dosn't matter at all if at the moment you don't know what it is/was bothering you that is causing these emotions...the therapy will allow you to resolve it all the same...like any other experience in your life that you HAVE resolved, with this your mind WANTS to bring these emotions up, and cannot help but link towards them - all you need is to have a safe environment to go through this therapeutic process.

You resolve the symptoms, all I do is show you how.

Suggestion Therapy (clinical hypnosis)
Confidence boosting Fear of flying Fear of public speaking Relaxation and reducing stress Help to control drinking too much alcohol Bed wetting	Nail biting Exam nerves (e.g. driving test) Hypnosis and relaxation for mums-to-be and their child-birth Losing weight Quit smoking
Analytical hypnotherapy (hypnoanalysis)
Alcoholism Anger Anorexia Anxieties Anxiety attacks Assault Blushing Bruxism (teeth grinding) Bulimia and binging Childhood trauma e.g. sexual or domestic abuse Chronic fatigue Compulsions Depression Domestic violence Drinking heavily Emetophobia Fear of being sick Fetishes Frigidity Guilt IBS (Irritble Bowel Syndrome) Inhibitions Insomnia or sleep problems Enuresis PE (Premature ejaculation) Lack of confidence	Low self-esteem ME / CFS Migraines Nailbiting Obsessions OCD Panic attacks Paranoia Phobias Poor self image or poor self esteem PTSD Premature ejeculation Self-harm e.g. cutting Self-hatred Sexual abuse Shyness Shy bladder or shy pee Slimming and weight loss Smoking cessation Social Phobia Stuttering and stammering Tension Paruresis; shy bladder Impotence or Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Vaginismus Violence in relationships
Some symptoms and abbreviations explained: Bruxism = teeth grinding especially at night Emetophobia = the fear of being sick; fear of vomiting; vomit phobia Paruresis = shy bladder; shy pee; shy bladder syndrome; bashful bladder Enuresis = bed wetting OCD = Obsessive Compulsive Disorder; Obsessional neurosis IBS = Irritable Bowel Syndrome ED = Erectile Dysfunction, commonly known as impotence PE = Premature ejaculation PTSD = Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ME = Myalgic Encephalopathy (another name for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) CFS = Chronic Fatigue Syndrome PVFS = Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome (another name for CFS)

An experience of hypnoanalysis with Richard "Richard, I was nervous & felt awkward about my first session, but straight away I realised that you have a genuine care for people & a passion for what you do. I’ve never found it so easy to relax (although I must give your chair some credit too!) During the sessions the way you responded to what I was saying made me feel really comfortable & able to completely open up. Before therapy I thought it would be like bearing your soul to a stranger, but not at one point during my sessions did I ever feel like that. It was actually a comfort to know you were there. It’s brilliant how I feel now...Ive been feeling better & better as time is going on...I feel exactly the same in myself, and yet the way I react to situations is so different. I’d spent so long feeling nervous, anxious & guilty that I’d almost persuaded myself it was normal, that there wasn’t really anything wrong. Now I can’t believe I lived like that for so long! I’m so pleased I plucked up the courage to contact you. Your compassion & sincerity made it so easy. I just can’t find the words to thank you enough...It's like a huge wave of calm has engulfed me, and it's brilliant!! Thank you so much for your help, time & patience." Nikki, 2007