Alison Bird Clinical Hypnotherapy Colchester

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 "critial conscious" mind is relaxed. Therapeutic suggestions can then be given to great effect. Self-hypnosis is the deliberate induction of this altered state of awareness. All hypnosis is self-hypnosis, and you cannot be hypnotised against your will.

Being in an hypnotic state often 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.

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 guided into a relaxed, focussed state of mind. It is a voluntary altering of your own consciousness, and you are always in control.  If stage hypnotists actually could "put you under" and make you do 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 tap into this ability and utilise it.

Hypnotherapy is the Clinical Use of Hypnosis
 
Hypnosis on its own is simply a very comfortable and relaxed state during which you are aware and can talk to the therapist.  It is the words and therapy used within hypnosis that do the work, and this is hypnotherapy.  Hypnotherapy is a "talking therapy" and comes under the same collective umbrella as counselling, psychology, psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and neuro-linguistic programming (NLP).  In fact, most of these therapies overlap and "borrow" from one another, and a professionally trained hypnotherapist regularly uses aspects of all these different therapies in their practice in much the same way that a dentist may use hypnosis to relax a stressed patient, or a doctor may use CBT to help a patient look at a problem from a different perspective.  Which is why you sometimes feel better purely from having a consultation with a hypnotherapist, because it's therapeutic to talk and to have someone listen. 

This form of hypnotherapy involves relaxing and listening to, and absorbing, beneficial ideas and suggestions. Suggestion hypnotherapy is ideal for such things as quitting smoking, stress, some phobias, general fears and nervousness – exams, driving test, public speaking, etc. – nail biting, weight control, and some sleeping problems (insomnia needs to be checked first by a GP). Generally between two and four sessions are needed (often just one for smoking).

Analytical Hypnotherapy, or Hypnoanalysis 
 

Analytical hypnotherapy (hypnoanalysis), like psychoanalysis, aims to find and remove the underlying originating cause of such things as irrational and deep-seated fears and phobias, long-standing issues with food/eating/weight and eating disorders, 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.  Hypnoanalysis is a form  of regression therapy whereby the subconscious mind can safely revisit past events and re-process them in a more helpful, positive way.  Generally, between six to twelve sessions will effectively relieve or release 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, and agreed with you, will be used.

Hypnotherapy is a Complementary Therapy

Hypnotherapy 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.  In fact, in 1955 the British Medical Association issued a report stating that hypnosis was a valuable medical tool.  In 1958 the American Medical Association recognised hypnosis as a viable scientific modality, and in 1962 the American Psychiatric Association recognised that hypnosis was useful to treat some psychological problems.  More evidence exists from scientific randomised controlled trials of hypnotherapy than of any other complementary therapy!
 

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.

Doctor's Referral

If you are eligible for hypnotherapy treatment on the NHS, please give your doctor the following Independent Provider Code:  8GV41