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When I qualified as a clinical Hypnotherapist I eagerly set up my practice, advertised in the local advertiser and waited for the phone to ring…

I had two calls in the first month, one asking if they needed to bring a swimming costume (Hydrotherapy) and the other hoping it would help with a physical issue- It couldn’t with that specific problem.

It soon became clear that I had a lot of work to do- to build trust.

Having set up and run an online help group for 4 years before qualifying, I couldn’t understand why people weren’t biting my hand off for the benefits Hypnosis undeniably brings. The more I listened the more I realised how the word “Hypnosis” evoked a feeling of fear in people, and the last thing they would do without some facts would trust in a therapist offering it as a therapy choice.

Choice. Remember that word- it appears a lot in this article!

I always appreciate the opportunity to debunk myths – so without further ado…

“Hypnosis is Mind Control”– This is false. No one can “make” you do anything you don’t want to. A hypnotherapist is relaxing your conscious mind, so they can interact with your subconscious, the part of our mind which protects us. It houses the Sympathetic Nervous System- also known as the “Fight or Flight Mechanism” which since the dawn of time has given us the strength to fight or stamina to run away from anything that threatens us. There isn’t a relaxed state deep enough to switch that protection off! If I suggested something which went against your moral code or ethics your Subconscious would simply bin the idea and nothing would happen- You always have a choice!

“Hypnosis acts like a truth serum”- False! If this were true, Police across the world would be hypnotising their suspects with 100% success rate of getting the bad guy! You have a choice, if coming for therapy the truth is preferable because lying could stop you getting the results you want.

“Not everyone can be hypnotised”- False. Hypnosis is a completely natural state of mind everyone enters this state up to 8 times a day. To demonstrate, have you ever been driving down the road and forgotten a part of the journey or missed a turning because you were thinking of other things? This is what we call “Highway Hypnosis” Its one of those things that shake you when you realise you don’t remember part of the journey, what happens is our subconscious is driving! Its where learned behaviour is stored- for instance driving, riding a bike or knitting. As our conscious mind is free to think of other things we sometimes forget parts of the journey because we know we are safe with the subconscious in charge.

I need to explain that during a session with a Hypnotherapist- you will have your eyes closed but you will be as aware as you want to. Leading nicely to our final myth.

“Some people get stuck in trance forever!” – False! Remember when using Hypnosis, we are speaking to the Subconscious which protects us? even though that deeply relaxed state is wonderful and you might not want to come back to conscious awareness, you will no matter what if there was any threat to life such as a fire in the building. An alarm would be all it takes to rouse you from your relaxed state!

A few things Hypnosis can help with-Pain relief, Anxiety, PTSD, Migraines, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Stress, Insomnia and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), this is not an exhaustive list for a full list go to http://www.hypnotherapy-directory.org.uk/hypnotherapists/karen-lee

If you would like more information on anything in this article please contact Karen Lee at Blossom Hypnotherapy and EMDR, 01760 724582 or www.blossomhypnotherapy.co.uk

Local appointments for the Swaffham, Dereham and Norwich areas.

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