Is Hypnotherapy right for me?
Seeking out therapy is an individual choice. There are many reasons why people come to hypnotherapy. Sometimes it is to deal with long-standing psychological issues, or problems with anxiety or depression. Other times it is in response to unexpected changes in one's life such as a divorce or work transition. Many seek the advice of counsel as they pursue their own personal exploration and growth. Working with a hypnotherapist can help provide insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges. Hypnotherapy can help address many types of issues including depression, anxiety, conflict, grief, stress management, body-image issues, and general life transitions. Hypnotherapy is right for anyone who is interested in getting the most out of their life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and working towards change in their lives. Anyone can be hypnotized as long as they are willing to be.
Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.
Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.
What is the difference between Hypnotherapy and "regular" therapy?
With hypnotherapy a client has much faster results than with traditional talk therapies. According to a study done by Dr. Alfred Barrios and published in American Health Magazine in the 80's, the success rate for psychotherapy was 38% after 600 sessions. Compare this to the success rate of Hypnotherapy of 97% after 6 sessions.
How can therapy help me?
A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that therapy can help them manage personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:
- Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
- Developing skills for improving your relationships
- Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
- Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
- Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
- Improving communications and listening skills
- Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
- Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
- Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
What is Hypnotherapy like?
Every therapy session is unique and caters to each individual and their specific goals. First, we will meet for a consultation. This is an hour that I offer to you free of charge so that we can meet and see if it feels like a good fit for us to work together. During the consultation, we will discuss your goals and I will explain how hypnotherapy works and what approach I will use to help you acheive what you desire. There is no obligation to go ahead with sessions, but should you decide to do so, we will book our sessions at that time. It is common to schedule a series of sessions, where each session lasts around one hour. The frequency of our meetings depends upon the goal you are working on as well as how urgent your situation is. For example, if you have a fear of flying that needs to be corrected before you can take a trip that you have already booked, we may meet more frequently than if your goal is to increase your overall self esteem. Someone wanting to give up smoking may meet with me a couple times a week because smoking is something they do every day and so more frequent visits can help to eliminate the habit more quickly. We will discuss frequency of sessions when we meet for the consultation.
When we meet for a session, we will talk first about how things are shifting for you due to therapy and what current concerns you may have. We will then do a hypnotherapy session. During the session, clients are typically very relaxed and peaceful feeling. Some people prefer it to be interactive, where we are talking throughout the session. Other people would prefer to relax while I address their issue. I will adjust my technique to your preference.
People generally have questions about hypnosis including:
Will I cluck like a chicken or reveal my secrets?
Only if you want to! Hypnotherapy differs from stage hypnosis in that it is not used for entertainment. A client will only accept suggestions that are reasonable and beneficial. Remember—a person who volunteers for a stage show is agreeing to be the entertainment and is typically an outgoing, uninhibited person who is selected by the hypnotist due to these qualities! In a therapeutic situation the client is aware of what is happening and privacy is protected and respected by the therapist. In hypnosis, a person is able to lie, withhold information and reject suggestions they prefer not to follow
What if I can’t be hypnotized?.
Everyone can be hypnotized---as long as they are motivated to accomplish their goal in seeing the hypnotherapist. I pick the technique that will work best for each individual client.
What does Hypnosis feel like?
For most people, being in hypnosis is very relaxing and peaceful. We all go in and out of natural trance states throughout our day. Some common examples of a hypnotic state are:
- driving without noticing your sorroundings
- getting so focused on a hobby, craft, computer game or television show that you don't notice someone else in the room
- daydreaming
- zoning out when listening to someone talk
- an athlete who is in "the zone"
Is medication a substitute for therapy?
In some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. Working with your medical doctor you can determine what's best for you. It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness.
Is therapy confidential?
In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and therapist. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client.
However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:
- Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
- If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist is required to notify the police.
- If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.