When most people think of hypnosis they often think of stage hypnosis. This is known as entertainment hypnosis – that is why it is on TV!
To make the audience laugh and enjoy themselves, participants are made to do funny things on stage that they would never normally do. Hence, whenever I tell someone that I am a hypnotherapist, I often get the same response: “Ooh I won’t look into your eyes..”This usually starts a discussion on what hypnosis is and isn’t. So, let me clarify what hypnotherapy is. Hypnotherapy is when hypnosis is used for therapy purposes. Therefore the process and results are rather different to stage hypnosis!
Milton Erickson was one of the most famous hypnotists and helped many people with his findings and work. He said that when there is a misalignment between our subconscious and our conscious mind, that is when we have conflict and challenges. Hypnosis is thus used to access the subconscious part of our mind, when the mind and body is extremely relaxed. The subconscious is then given instructions on whatever topic it needs to realign itself with in the conscious part of the mind. This could be to either manage anxiety, lose weight and eat healthy, perform with excellence, move on from the past, saying goodbye to loved ones, heal past traumas, dealing with fears and phobias by desnsitizing them, and so on … I deal with all of these regularly in my clinic.
Here is what a hypnosis session may look like:
- The client is facilitated to relax completely initially by simply listening to some super soothing music and to my voice saying super soothing things. (Yes I have a super comfy couch for this too :))
- Next, within the same relaxation the client is either a) guided by my voice to use their imaginative skills and do some mental imagery work with focused attention, or b) just continue listening to my voice while it says all the things the client needs to hear, e.g if it is confidence that is required, I would say positive things like, “you are calm and confident, you can manage things easily, you are strong and capable, you can achieve all the things you want…..” etc etc… I may even use a metaphorical story that still brings the message home in an abstract way. Either way, there are no risks or dangers of the client losing any control of their mind because they are in complete control ALL of the time. It very much feels like having a light snooze on the sofa and hearing someone talking in the room – well, actually, that is what it is..
- The final part of the hypnosis is to bring the client back to normal wakeful awareness with eyes open again. This is done by gently talking to them.
The whole process is not at all dangerous and there is absolutely no form of mind control or brain washing as some people suspect! If anything, it is an amazingly relaxing and soothing therapy.
Whatever your challenge is, give it a go with an open mind (pun intended) and just enjoy your way to making some deep and powerful changes that your life may well need.
Quality Assurance
I have a Diploma in Hypnotherapy and am registered with the General Hypnotherapy Register. I also am constantly updating my skills by engaging in Continuing Professional Development as is required to do so in order for me to be able to offer the best service possible.
I am also a member of the CNHC which was set up with government support to protect the public by providing a UK voluntary register of complementary health practitioners. CNHC’s register is also approved as an Accredited Register by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA), a body accountable to Parliament.
The Government recommends that when people are looking for a health practitioner who is not regulated by law, they only consult a practitioner on an Accredited Register such as CNHC’s. General Medical Council guidance to doctors confirms they can refer patients to practitioners on Accredited Registers.
Common benefits of hypnotherapy
- Physical relaxation – allows muscles to relax
- Mental relaxation – allows mental clarity for learning new skills and behaviours
- Faster results – by using focused attention
- Long lasting change – brain begins to repeat the learnt behaviour patterns in order to master them
- Fewer sessions required than many other talking therapies
What my clients say
Meeting Priti was one of the best things I ever did. She’s helped me become myself again and realise I am not my insecurities or fears. I have become so confident and strong because of this lady and I would recommend her to anyone. Thank you for everything Priti, you’ve changed my life.
