Are you feeling anxious, depressed, or angry? Perhaps you are struggling with a loss, such as a job loss or a relationship breakup, or you are not able to move past a particular fear. Whatever your motivation for seeking help, hypnotherapy is a powerful tool in your return to emotional balance. Yet many people have a sensational view of hypnosis and hypnotherapy, largely stemming from films and stage shows. At Achieving Balance, I use hypnotherapy in a practical manner to help treat a wide range of psychological issues.
What is Hypnosis?
Before you can understand what hypnosis is, it is important to understand what hypnosis is not. Media portrayals (think Derren Brown and Paul McKenna) imply that hypnosis involves mind control, making people do things that they would never do of their own free will. In fact, this is simply not the case.
A hypnotherapist can only influence a client to the extent that the client wants to be influenced. A common definition of hypnosis is “the process of influential communication“. Hypnosis is a state of mind or focused attention which allows the hypnotherapist to communicate in a specific way that can influence the client’s thoughts. However, the hypnotherapist has only as much influence as the client allows.
What is Hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is the skilful use of persuasive communication while the client is in a state of hypnosis. The point of the communication is to create specific alterations to behaviour, thoughts, attitudes, perceptions, and sensations. Only those changes that the client desires and has asked for help in achieving are attempted.
Hypnotherapy at Achieving Balance
Firstly, you will be treated with the utmost degree of professionalism and respect. We will begin with a detailed assessment of the your concerns and goals. Once a mutual understanding and agreement is reached, I will help you to achieve a state of hypnosis. This is a natural state you already find yourself in when day-dreaming, just before you fall asleep and perhaps when driving in “auto-pilot” (unaware of steering, changing gears etc). At this time, I will use carefully guided communication to more fully explore the issues and to influence you to create change.
Like all therapies, hypnotherapy is done with you, not to you. You will never be influenced against your will (I consider this an impossibility anyway), and you will be in control of the session at all times. All I ask is that you enter into the process with as much of an open mind as you can muster, and that you do your best to work with me, as a team, towards overcoming your problems and reaching your goals. Most clients find the process of hypnotherapy a relaxing, pleasant, and enjoyable experience.
If you are interested in a free, 20-minute consultation to find out if hypnotherapy is right for you, please feel free to contact me on 020 7096 8854 or email me at martin@achievingbalance.co.uk. I am available from 8.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Thursday, and Friday mornings.