About Hypnosis & NLP
The Therapeutic Tools
We’ll also cover everything in detail during the session
Hypnosis
What it is
Being in a state of hypnosis is a perfectly natural and very ordinary state of mind that we experience all the time. We might not recognise or label it in the same way but it’s still the same relaxed state of mind. We’ve all experienced watching something interesting on TV or being so engrossed in a book that we begin excluding distractions in the surrounding environment. It’s that narrowly focused attention we known as trance or simply a hypnotic state. It happens when the subconscious and conscious minds come together and begin focusing on the same thing.
The enormous advantage of this therapeutically, is when in this state, we have access to the subconscious mind. This provides a way to disrupt or alter unwanted subconscious patterns of behaviour like a phobia response. Other than being safe and natural, it’s also relaxing and benefits the mind in the same way as meditation. Clients often leave feeling refreshed or energised following their session.
What it isn’t
Understandably most people haven’t had much exposure to hypnotherapy or the use of hypnosis therapeutically. It’s far more common for people to have seen or experienced stage hypnosis as a form of entertainment. The stage hypnotist is a performer that does what he/she needs to do in order to accomplish their goal. Due to the very nature of what they want to achieve, it’s beneficial that they be perceived a certain way by the crowd. Being seemingly all-powerful and controlling with a mysterious demeanour can be entertaining. However, it also means carefully selected candidates, are more likely to feel under enough social pressure to perform when called on stage. Most misconceptions about hypnosis stem from it’s use in entertainment.
- Hypnosis is not a sleep
- You don’t lose control
- You remain aware the whole time
Natural
A perfectly natural state that we go in and out of all the time without realising it. It’s not a sleep but instead a narrowed state of focus
Safe
Don’t worry, nobody’s ever got stuck in hypnosis and you certainly can’t be made to do anything either! You always remain in control and the experience is enjoyable.
Relaxing
Completely unlike stage hypnosis the experience is relaxing and comfortable. It’s not dissimilar to meditation and has many of the same mental wellbeing benefits too.
Did you know?
Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP)
NLP Techniques
We’ll use NLP specifically for a couple of amazing technique developed in the decades ago but have been gradually refined since. The techniques provide an efficient way to treat panic, phobias or trauma safely and in the most comfortable manner.
We know there’s a subconscious template stored that fires off your panic when you’re met with certain triggers. Combined with hypnosis, this technique works by accessing that stored template in a safe, controlled environment and whilst in a relaxed state. This provides an opportunity to reprocess the template, so it becomes ordinary or mundane to the subconscious mind. Once the phobia trigger is no longer perceived as a threat, the subconscious mind won’t elicit the ‘fight or flight’ reaction or the associated panic. This effectively shifts the memory (template) to a more rational part of the mind where it’s more appropriately processed by the intellect.
Simple & Effective
Considering the effectiveness of the techniques the processes are quite simple. Everything will be completely tailored to your circumstances, and after a bit of general relaxation, we’ll work together through each step to bring about quick relief
Proven
Having helped countless people overcome their fears through decades of use by therapists worldwide, these NLP techniques are a reliable addition to any phobia treatment plan.
Fast
Working directly with your phobia template, below the awareness, means there’s no need for lengthy ‘Exposure Therapy’and completed in a single sitting.
Simple
You only need motivation and the ability to follow a few simple instructions as we work through each step together
Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
What it is
A goal-oriented approach to psychotherapy with the main objective of finding workable solutions by exploring what has worked in the past, is currently going well and through positively forecasting the future. SFBT is about empowering clients to build upon their resources and already existent strengths to help attain their goals. It’s an incredibly positive approach to therapy that’s designed to be brief. Therefore, clients can be sure to get on living without a reliance on prolonged therapy.
When It comes to treating a phobia, SFBT is powerfully combined with hypnosis and NLP to reinforce all the good work we do.
What it isn’t
SFBT is not analytical and therefore is not concerned with delving into the past or exploring the provenance of problems.
It’s the key that opens the door that’s important in therapy, not the nature of the lock – Steve de Shazer
Goal-oriented
How do you want things to be? What does success look like? SFBT is mainly concerned with looking ahead whilst drawing on positive past and current experiences.
Empowering
Learning to uncover strengths and resources you already possess to help attain your goals in a forward-looking manner, is knowledge you can apply to all areas of your life.
Reinforcing
By focusing the session on what’s personally important to you, SFBT keeps the positive benefits of living phobia free at the forefront of the treatment. Perfectly tying it all together and reinforcing the work we do.