What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a mindset in which we become responsive to positive suggestion, enabling us to experience helpful ideas at a level profound enough to influence our thoughts, emotions, and behaviour. The client and therapist work in a collaborative manner. The therapist guides the client to use their imagination in a focused and vivid way that ultimately enables the client to restructure their thinking, evoke positive emotion and rehearse behavioural change. As the client is using their own imagination, they will only accept suggestions they choose to accept and so remain in control throughout. As a result, hypnosis is very safe.
Most people can be hypnotised. It is a pleasant and relaxing experience and people tend to get better at it with practice. Hypnosis feels different to different people, but that most people are aware throughout. It is common to feel very relaxed, sometimes drifting in and out, like daydreaming. Clients will know they are in hypnosis as they become able to accept suggestions and use their imagination freely and easily. It simply helps to relax, think positively and focus on suggestions throughout.
Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy
'Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy' is an integrative approach that combines 'Cognitive Behavioural Therapy' (CBT) with hypnosis. CBT is based on the key principle that our thoughts, beliefs, and interpretations of events greatly influence our emotional and behavioural responses. By identifying and challenging, irrational and unhelpful thoughts, we can change our emotional and behavioural reactions leading to improved well-being. CBT has the strongest evidence base for effectiveness of any 'talking therapy'. Hypnotherapy too has an impressive record of clinical effectiveness. 'Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy', the integration of CBT and hypnosis, allows for effective and rapid treatment that lasts.
Social Anxiety: Breaking the Cycle
Social anxiety is very common and can have a huge impact on our working and personal lives. Social anxiety is often linked to expectations and beliefs regarding negative social judgement from others, and/or a fear of being embarrassed. This leads to feelings of heightened stress and anxiety in social situations. Social anxiety can trigger unwanted social behaviours such sweating, blushing, stammering, ‘clamming up’ and not knowing what to say. Sufferers can become extremely self-conscious as a result which just makes things worse. I work collaboratively with clients, providing support, advice and techniques to break this cycle, enabling clients to achieve their own goals.
