FAQ (Frequently
Asked Questions)
The Simple answer to this is YES! If a person can communicate normally, and they are not currently under mind-altering medication, then it is possible for anybody to go into trance. Trance is a natural functioning property of the brain. There is a common myth that only weak-willed people can be hypnotised. In fact the stronger willed the person is, the better hypnotic subject they are because they are used to giving clear signals to their own unconscious mind.
Not all people will respond to the same trance induction in the same way, so part of the skill of hypnosis is finding the right method for each individual to go into trance.
Going into trance is a skill that can be learned and deepened. Some people are naturals and go into deep trance within minutes. Other people may take 45 minutes or more before they go into trance. Once a person has been there once, the process speeds up significantly each time.
There are many huge misunderstandings about hypnosis, often arising from misrepresentation in the movies or the antics of stage hypnotists. People are often worried before they try hypnosis that they won't be able to wake up or that it is dangerous in some way.
Hypnosis is a lot like day dreaming and the worst that can happen is, that if you are tired during your session, you will be so comfortable and relaxed that you will fall asleep. A properly trained hypnotist knows exactly how to give you suggestions that are beneficial and safe.
Another common concern is that you will be made to do something that you don't want to do. When you are in trance, your mind maintains its sense of right and wrong and absolutely will not accept suggestions that it does not agree with.
There are sadly a very small minority of irresponsible or poorly trained people out there, mainly in the stage hypnosis industry, who use suggestions with a very compliant subject (who has volunteered!) to do things which are unpleasant or humiliating or might have negative therapeutic consequences. This has absolutely nothing to do with Clinical Hypnotherapy. A properly trained hypnotherapist is only interested in helping an individual and using techniques that are going to be of benefit to them.
If there are any other areas of concern please do feel free to phone me to discuss them.
How many sessions will it take?
It is impossible to say how many sessions it will take. This depends on how easily a person goes into trance, their personality and where they are right now in terms of the presenting issue, goal or symptom. Hypnosis and NLP are known as "brief" therapies because they tend to get results far faster than some other forms of therapy. As a generalisation most people get noticeable results within 3 to 5 sessions.
Are there some people who should not be hypnotised?
Hypnosis is a very safe technique and is totally suitable and appropriate with the majority of individuals. However there are certain conditions where hypnosis is not the best approach to use. (It may be possible to use NLP or other techniques instead)
If a person is on certain types of medication (this could be something prescribed by their doctor, or certain recreational drugs), then it may not be possible to use hypnosis.
If you are on any kind of medication whatsoever then you must ring me before making an appointment, to discuss this. Sometimes it may be necessary to consult with your General Practitioner before you can undertake hypnotherapy.
The other area where hypnosis may not be suitable is if you have suffered or are suffering from any form of mental illness (Psychosis or Neurosis) If you have suffered from clinical depression or any schizo-typal disorder (schizophrenia), manic depression, bi-polar disorder etc.. then it is essential that you call me first to discuss it. In cases like this it is almost certain that I will have to consult with your General Practitioner before any treatment and it may indeed be that hypnosis is not suitable.
On a brighter note there are a few pioneering psychiatrists who actually use hypnosis to treat mental illness. This is a very specialised area however.
Can I share my training session with somebody else?
Yes! It is possible to share 1 to 1 training sessions with a friend. In fact this is quite desirable as it gives you another person to practice with. Call me for details of pricing.
Why are the stop smoking sessions a different price?
The average UK smoker spends approx £2000 a year on cigarettes. In comparison, an investment of £150 is a fraction of this. If you give up even for a few months you will easily have saved the money back plus all the health and social benefits. I generally only see smokers for 2 sessions rather than the longer term therapy that often occurs for other issues and so the fee is higher in this area because of the high turnover of clients.
Whether we are talking about life coaching, sports performance or therapy there are two sides to the equation.
51% must come from you the client in terms of motivation and dedication to change. The other 49% comes from me, the therapist / coach, in terms of skill and experience.
With your total decision and focus to make the change happen and your desire to follow through on techniques or advice given, combined with my dedication, experience and skill, that makes for a pretty formidable combination where success is the logical outcome.
I am unable however to completely guarantee success in all cases and it would be irresponsible for any therapist or coach to do so. Think of me as a trainer, guide and consultant who works with you towards your goal and gives you a map. It is then ultimately up to you to follow the directions given to build the life you want.
All Text, Photos and Graphics ©2004 Adrian Hope-Lewis