Hypnotherapy, Psychotherapy and Mindfulness Questions
WHAT IS HYPNOSIS?
Hypnosis is a naturally occurring state of altered awareness and enhanced relaxation which therapist and client collaborate to utilise. In trance, ideas and memories that may not otherwise be accessible can become so, whilst the unconscious part of your mind allows inner resources to be utilised, as well as becoming more open to suggestion. This brings about more effective change than in conscious awareness.
The British Medical Association approved hypnotherapy in 1955, and the American Medical Association followed in 1958.
Hypnosis customarily allows the client to enter a deeply relaxed state, in which mental stress and bodily tension are reduced, while attention is focused inwardly.
Utilising this state can help the identification and changing of unhelpful or restrictive thoughts or beliefs.
WHAT IS HYPNO-PSYCHOTHERAPY?
Hypno-Psychotherapy is one of the recognised colleges of the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).
In addition to providing relief from various limiting or unwanted habits and many physical conditions, Hypno-Psychotherapy is able to address deep-rooted issues by utilising procedures similar to those used in other disciplines of psychotherapy.
Flexibility is the key, taking a holistic and multi-disciplinary view in helping clients to understand and to gain relief from the symptoms of psychological difficulties. Focus can be on psychodynamic, cognitive, counselling or behavioural approaches, among others.
Where Hypno-Psychotherapy differs from other forms of psychotherapy is that the therapist is qualified in the use of hypnosis as a method of assisting or eliciting change. In this way, psychotherapeutic techniques can be delivered whilst using hypnosis or independently of it, if more appropriate. This approach allows more complex issues, whether emotional, behavioural or psychological in origin, to be addressed.
Whilst largely capable of effecting rapid change, Hypno-Psychotherapy respects and utilises the individual qualities in each person. There is no standardised approach; the resources and personality of the individual are intrinsic to the therapy.
Equality between the therapist and client is also a fundamental part of the approach. A supportive environment is provided in order that the individual can explore any difficult issues. A treatment plan is then agreed, and therapy can commence. Therapy can be of short or longer term duration, depending on requirements.
Hypno-Psychotherapy is equally suited to resolution of a specific problem, or as a tool to improve quality of life.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT INITIALLY?
Therapy is as individual as the client, there is no single approach as to how a treatment schedule is arranged but will usually begin with a telephone conversation. After that, an initial consultation in a safe and comfortable environment will take place and establish whether the therapy will proceed. The issues can be discussed fully and a treatment plan with specific but flexible goals potentially agreed.
The initial consultation is an opportunity to ask questions about therapy and obtain further information and reassurance. Once the treatment plan has been agreed, it will be reviewed at each session (if more than one session is required) and revisited whenever necessary.
The aim of therapy is to establish an equal and collaborative alliance in which therapist and client can work together.
WHY CHOOSE ME?
It is important to ensure that any prospective therapist is qualified to provide the help that you need. Hypnotherapists are not necessarily qualified or regulated in the provision of psychotherapy.
The United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a national membership organisation with over 75 training and listing organisations providing recognised and accredited training, it is the ‘gold standard’ of Psychotherapy.
Recognised training is at least four years at Master’s degree level. I am fully qualified to this level (CHP DHP ADHP), fully insured, a fellow of the National Society of Hypnosis, Psychotherapy and Mindfulness, and I adhere to the UKCP code of ethics (available in full from their website).
I am also a Tutor for both the Certificate and Diploma levels of The National Society’s Faculty, training future Psychotherapists at Postgraduate level.
In addition, I am The Society’s current Chief Legal Officer, and former National Research Co-ordinator and Curator of the National Research Catalogue.
It is important to ensure that your potential therapist belongs to a recognised and regulated professional association, requiring members to be in regular supervision, and to adhere to the requirements of continuing professional development.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HYPNOTIST, A HYPNOTHERAPIST AND A HYPNO-PSYCHOTHERAPIST
When it comes to the use of hypnosis in applying therapeutic techniques, there are a number of significant differences that you should be aware of before considering which therapist is right for you.
Whilst a Hypnotist may be able to help with basic issues such as relaxation, a Hypnotherapist is trained to deliver a more skilled application of advanced therapeutic methods in order to address a range of more complex issues.
Drawing on their study of the various schools of thought (such as Freudian, Jungian, and Adlerian to name a few), a Psychotherapist is trained to offer various models of therapy, including counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy, among others. A Hypno-Psychotherapist has the ability to combine these techniques, offering a tailored approach to more serious emotional, behavioural and psychological challenges.
WHY ARE THERE NO TESTIMONIALS?
The reason that I do not offer testimonials on this website, quite apart from the fact that they can simply be made up, is that if I were to do so, in order to comply with advertising requirements, those testimonials would have to be capable of being verified. To do that would be a breach of client confidentiality and the NSHP and the UKCP Code of Ethical Conduct.