Medical Hypnotherapy
Medical hypnotherapy is a natural treatment, which has no side effects and can be used to treat many different conditions, including anything triggered by stress, anxiety and panic attacks. It works on the subconscious mind to achieve positive change in behavior and thinking.
Medical hypnotherapists are trained to relax a client to such an extent that the analytical, rational part of their brain is switched off, while the non-analytical side, their subconscious which can dominate behavior and thinking, is made more alert. For example even though someone might rationally know there is nothing to fear from spiders they still cannot overcome their panic when they see one because they have a deep seated fear of them in their subconscious.
The medical hypnotherapists works on the subconscious to ‘re-programme’ their brain patterns to overcome their problem whatever it might be. It can be used to treat a range of ailments, from psychological issues to physical conditions. It lends itself well to treat emotional, motivational and relationship problems as well as neurotic behavior and sex problems.
Phobias of all kinds can also be treated and cured by medical hypnotherapy. And conditions exacerbated by stress such as irritable bowel syndrome, psoriasis and eczema also respond well to treatment by medical hypnotherapy. It can also even control people’s weight and cure insomnia.
Medical hypnotherapy relies on a trained hypnotherapist being able to calm the client into a deep relaxed state. To do this they use a variety of different techniques which usually involve the therapist talking in a soothing voice while the client closes their eyes. The medical hypnotherapist may ask the client to imagine happy, positive images which will help them to relax deeply. What the therapist asks the client to imagine differs from therapist to therapist and often from client to client. Some clients like to imagine scenes on a hot and sunny beach while others might like such things as imagining a gift arriving by parcel delivery.
As the therapist talks, the client begins to relax more and more deeply until they are in a similar state to when they are daydreaming or drifting off to sleep. However they are definitely not asleep.
Medical hypnotherapy does not involve waving watches and controlling people’s minds. The technique does not involve the client being put into a deep sleep, and they cannot be made to do anything they would not ordinarily do. In a hypnotherapy session the client always knows what is going on around them and they are not made to do anything against their will. They remain fully aware of their surroundings and situation, and are not vulnerable to doing anything stupid.
They will be in an enhanced state of awareness, concentrating entirely on the medical hypnotherapist’s voice and their suggestions designed to alter their subconscious. In this state of deep relaxation the client will be breathing slowly and deeply and they will feel so calm and relaxed their pulse rate often drops as well.
Once in this state of deep relaxation and calmness the client is said to be released from control of their conscious mind. Their conscious mind is suppressed and their subconscious mind which basically controls most of our thinking, even though most of the time we are unaware of it, is fully responsive.
The therapists will then be able to make sensible and appropriate suggestions so that the client will be able to change their behavior or thinking for the better. The medical hypnotherapist will suggest a range of different things appropriate to the client including lifestyle adaptations or whatever it is the client wants to overcome.
Once the seeds are planted in the client’s subconscious the client will need further formal sessions with the medical hypnotherapist to re-inforce the changes. The number of sessions needed with a hypnotherapist varies from person to person but they usually recommend at least six to eight.
Medical hypnotherapy is similar to talking therapies such as psychotherapy in that they all work on the subconscious to achieve change in people. After a session it is likely the client will feel generally more relaxed and confident. It can increase self-confidence and self esteem as well as prevent negative habits such as always rushing to the cookie tin when you are feeling down.
Does medical hypnotherapy work for everyone?
Most people reach a level of relaxation for effective hypnotherapy but it doesn’t work for everyone. Clients need to be highly motivated and want the hypnotherapy to work. They need to establish a good clinical rapport with their therapist in order for it to do so. The important thing is that the client wants to change some behavioural habit or addiction.
The readiness and ability of clients to be hypnotised varies considerably and hypnotherapy generally requires several sessions in order to achieve meaningful results. A qualified, ethical practitioner will always act in their client’s best interests and support them throughout their progress.
Some clients like to imagine scenes on a hot and sunny beach while others might like such things as imagining a gift arriving by parcel delivery.
