Alison Bird Clinical Hypnotherapy

WHAT IS HYPNOSIS?
 
Hypnosis is a method of reaching a relaxed state in order to treat many mind-related and emotional complaints.  It has been practised in various forms for thousands of years by many cultures and is recognised by the scientific community as an effective healing tool.

THE ALPHA BRAINWAVE

An hypnotic state can occur naturally and spontaneously, such as when you are absorbed in a pleasant task, reading, or when day-dreaming.  The brain has different levels of consciousness, or awareness, ranging from fully alert to drowsy, to fully asleep, with variations in between. These different levels of consciousness can be mapped by brain wave activity. When the brain is calm, it produces distinctive alpha waves. According to current theory, the subconscious mind is more accessible when the brain is producing alpha waves, because the conscious mind is relaxed. Therapeutic suggestions can then be given to great effect.  Clinical hypnosis is the deliberate induction of this altered state of awareness.

Being in an hypnotic state feels similar to the dreamy state of mind that exists just before falling asleep, or when you are staring at the flames of a fire, except you are alert and aware of your surroundings.
 

YOU ARE ALWAYS IN CONTROL

Suggestions made to you in this relaxed state tend to be taken to heart, but only if those suggestions are beneficial and acceptable to you. Contrary to popular belief, you can't be hypnotised into doing things against your will. You can't be forced into an hypnotic state either. Instead, you allow yourself to be hypnotised. It is a voluntary altering of your own consciousness, and you are always in control.  If stage hypnotists actually could hypnotise you and make you do crazy things against your will and without your knowledge, surely they’d have waved their hands at the bank manager years ago and be living somewhere exotic without having to rely on stage shows to earn a living…..!  The power to make beneficial changes to your life is completely within your own mind and under your own control.  The hypnotherapist helps you to find this ability and utilise it.

CLINICAL USE OF HYPNOSIS
 
Hypnosis on its own is simply a very comfortable and relaxed state during which you can talk to the therapist.  It is the therapy which is carried out within hypnosis that does the work.

SUGGESTION THERAPY

This form of treatment is ideal for such things as quitting smoking, stress, some phobias, general fears and nervousness – exams, driving test, public speaking, etc. – nail biting, some weight control problems.  Generally between two and four sessions are needed (often just one for smoking, and between six and twelve for weight control).

ANALYTICAL THERAPY

This treatment aims to find and remove the underlying original cause of such things as irrational and deep-seated fears and phobias, emotional problems, relationship difficulties, lack of confidence, moodiness, road rage, stuttering/stammering, sleeping difficulties (insomnia must be checked by a doctor first), IBS (again, with a doctor’s consent), inferiority complex, general unhappiness, and most other mind-related problems.  The treatment period will normally be between six and twelve weekly sessions and will usually produce a complete and lasting release from the symptom/s.  It is a totally confidential and individual, one-to-one form of therapy.

You may rest assured that only the therapy that is right for you will be used.

HYPNOSIS IS A COMPLEMENTARY THERAPY

Hypnosis is a reliable and safe therapeutic technique which is centuries old and is recognised by many branches of orthodox medicine as a valuable alternative to drugs and anaesthesia, and to accelerate healing. 

Hypnotherapy is an invaluable aid in reducing anxiety and stress, one of the leading causes of sickness in the modern world.  It can be an effective treatment method for a great many problems where mind-related factors are involved.