Clinical Hypotherapy for Who?
“I've worked with Sienna on three particular areas of my anxiety - going out, food and dental treatments. Since working with her I've been a lot more comfortable going out including trips away, had far too many dental treatments (but been calm for them even when they didn't go smoothly) and got much better with eating a more diverse range of food. She's calm, friendly and professional, able to adapt to various situations that you present to her. Thanks” . KG (2023)
Who can Hypnotherapy support?
Clinical hypnotherapy can support a wide range of people of any age (Under 18 with parental guidance).
It is widely researched that candidates with ADHD benefit immensely from hypnosis, with ability to perform tasks more efficiently, learn better and more effectively when studying. In addition ADHD candidates are naturally prone to falling into imaginative states, allowing hypnosis to be more natural also. (A small study in 2017 offered CBT and hypnotherapy to ADHD patients and the hypnotherapy patients reported decreased anxiety, better psychological wellbeing and improved ADHD symptoms).
Most people are great with suggestibility, meaning that they are ready and inclined to adopt beliefs, suggestions, ideas, and attitudes from others in a positive way when using hypnotherapy. Most are successful with hypnotherapy and easily influenced by positive suggestion when it supports them with trauma or negative memories that are requiring to be reframed or altered for the good of the client. Severe trauma requires caution (see below on who may not benefit).
You must have a willingness to make positive changes and to be able to relax and be willing to take part and be committed. You must be willing to participate without coercion from a partner or under duress from external factors.
If you have a good imagination, the ability to lose yourself in a movie or a favourite book then you will be a good candidate for hypnosis.
Candidates who are self confident usually do well with hypnosis in their ability to respond to suggestions.
Anyone who has used hypnotherapy before are good candidates as they are familiar with the process and its outcomes.
What can Hypnotherapy support?
Clinical hypnotherapy can support a wide range of topics including:
Fears and phobias
Sports Performance
Anxiety, Panic attacks, Stress, Trauma/PTSD with caution
Menopause, Relationship issues
Insomnia/Sleep issues, Nightmares/Night terrors
Chemotherapy support. Medical treatment and surgery
Dentist anxiety
Lack of self-confidence / self-esteem / self-worth / motivation
Birth Trauma, Hypnobirthing
Smoking cessation
Exams, Driving tests, Interviews
Weight Management, Health Anxiety
Physical conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Fibromyalgia
(GP Diagnosis required), eating disorders, skin conditions, blushing, headaches and migraines.
The Process:
After a Discovery Call, an initial consultation is carried out usually 60-90 minutes with an explanation of what your brain is doing what it needs to do and why, followed by a mini demonstration of suggestibility prior to a session of hypnosis typically ranging from 60-90 minutes.
Thereafter 3-5 sessions of approximately 1-2 hours each, mostly online are booked either in advance or per session.
During the session, you may experience a pleasant, relaxing feeling of being in trance for about 30-45 minutes.
Typically you are covered with blanket and gentle music is played whilst your subconscious is being spoken to with suggestibility, repetitive imagination and language!
Zoom sessions are also available.
Caution / Candidates that are not/may not be suitable for Hypnotherapy:
Caution must be taken with certain types of Personality Disorder such as Psychosis (characterised as a disconnection from reality)
If you have severe trauma, Caution must be taken prior to, during and post hypnosis and particularly during the consultation stage where usually a psychiatrist would need to be contacted for discussion as to its safety and efficacy and effectiveness.
Lack of willingness to progress or resistant to the whole process to make positive change.
Being coerced by a partner, for example, to give up smoking - if you do not wish for this change - it will not work.
Lack of understanding for example if there is a learning disability diagnosed.
Epilepsy - I don’t work with clients with epilepsy. It may be that a person with epilepsy experiences seizures when very relaxed, therefore this is not advisable (Relaxed Induced Seizures). The risk of increased seizures during hypnotherapy may increase, If you are very keen to receive hypnotherapy you will need to seek GP advice and a qualified hypnotherapist who has been trained in Epilepsy training to offer appropriate medication. (Benzodiazepines).
For anyone being a witness in a trial it is not advised to receive hypnotherapy due to influential changes.
For anyone who is judgemental, self conscious, critical, analytical, a cynic who is perhaps less trusting of people wont benefit from hypnosis.
It is said that accountants, solicitors and barristers often find it difficult to be hypnotised due to their analytical brain however it has also been documented that those who are in roles that require discipline and rules such as police, army and military are easier with suggestibility as they already conform to rules and do their role under order.
Anyone with limited ability to their imagination may struggle with hypnosis (congenital aphantasia) often known as ‘being blind in the mind’.
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Remember that clinical hypnotherapy is highly cost-effective, safe and emotionally beneficial, with easy access online and it can succeed where other interventions have not. If you’re considering clinical hypnotherapy please ensure you visit a qualified therapist who is insured. Side affects can be reported such as sleepiness due to being so very relaxed.
Always check a hypnotherapists qualifications and insurance.
