In my last blog, I addressed what Hypnotherapy is. To recap, it works with the subconscious part of the mind (ego state)* whilst in a light sleep.
Why would you choose a Hypnotherapist?
Most people attending the G.P.s surgery for anxiety or depression are given medication and put on a waiting list for 12 weeks of counselling.
- There are often many weeks to months before you will see a counsellor.
- Medication in the short term may be helpful, although many people end up in long-term use, often resulting in larger doses.
- Many have reported to me through general conversation that they felt worse after speaking to a counsellor and, at the end of the 12 weeks, thought that they had been left hanging with nowhere else to go.
Unfortunately, Hypnotherapy is not a free service used by the NHS; however, they are beginning to offer training to some of their staff. In addition, thousands of research studies have been carried out and reports written on the findings and the benefits of using Hypnotherapy for many physical and mental ailments.
History of Hypnotherapy
Evidence has been found of Hypnotherapy used
by the Egyptians and in the healing temples of India.
James Braid wrote the first known book on Hypnotherapy titled Neurypnology in 1843.
During the same period, Dr James Esdaile wrote a book titled Mesmerism. He outlined the use of a process he called mesmerism in controlling and removing pain altogether. James Esdaile’s techniques were developed before the use of anaesthetic chloroform. He carried out over 500 operations, many of which would have been very painful without his intervention; it was also reported that many patients healed in less than the typical recovery time.
What can Hypnosis be used for?
Through research, we now know that the brain, heart and stomach all have their own unique brains operating separately while also operating coherently. I understand that sounds a bit gibberish. But it is true. Let’s look at it like this. The mind and body work as one whole. After all, it takes many parts to create a tree, yet we see it as a whole.
Well, we are the same. Quite often, the problem state is created through the ego-thinking mind. Using the brain’s frontal lobe can rationalise why this happened or didn’t happen. But when we go to the emotional part, this has often been subdued, suppressed or ultimately denied any part of being alive. You see, you can only keep them hidden in a pressure cooker so long before they have to explode. As a result, so many of our illnesses show themselves as both mental and physical.
So to answer the question ‘what can Hypnotherapy be used for? The answer is simple, anything.
Some people specialise in Hypno-Birthing, Smoking cessation, Addiction, Pain and many more areas. I have studied the subject of addiction.
Although I see clients for all sorts of things, ordinarily, anger or anxiety is at the root of the problem. The main difference between a Hypnotherapist and a Counsellor is that we work much more quickly and aim to get to the root cause of the problem. For 90% of clients, the problem stems from a time before you were five years old and before you can consciously remember. I am never looking for blame or transference but for you to find a way of reframing. As small children, we experience the world differently from the adults we have become, and a little chat in a light trance very often transforms the problem quickly.
I offer packages from 3 sessions to 6 sessions. The reason is so that together we have the opportunity to get clear on your outcomes/goals. Often I set tasks in between the sessions, and when these have been actioned, I have found successful results for the clients.
Any therapy is a two-way interaction. You have to put in the work if you want to create change.
The worst outcome is no change. But let’s face it, that can happen when you visit your G.P or a consultant/specialist.
So, in conclusion, Hypnotherapy is a valuable tool for everybody.
- The ego state is the part of the subconscious responsible for keeping you safe, driven by the belief system and looks for evidence that you may be in danger. That was great in caveman days when we were looking for the sabre-tooth tiger. The risks now are very different. However, the brain hasn’t caught up with today and often operates back in caveman days.
If you know someone that is struggling with life let them know that a conversation with me is free. To book a call here https://bookme.name/dawngriffith/meetings or alternatively email me @ info@dawngriffith.co.uk
