Holistic Hypnosis FAQ
and Things You Need To Know
What hypnosis and hypnotherapy are – and what they are not.
Hypnosis is a state of mind, but the actual physiological definition is harder to define. You may find it similar to the state of mind just as you drift in to and come out of sleep. Some describe it as a controlled daydream, very relaxing, with a sense of control. My view is that in hypnosis, you are typically relaxed, calm, confident, focused and in control. You are more decisive. You are not “under the influence” of anything or any person. You are not “asleep”, though sometimes when people practise self hypnosis when they are tired, they might fall asleep. Because some techniques of accessing hypnosis use relaxation or relaxing guided imagery, it is common to just feel relaxed. For some people who have their own meditation practice, it may feel a bit like that. Or not, it’s very individual.
Hypnotherapy is utilising the state of hypnosis that the client is in, to provide a story, a narrative, suggestions that are in accord with the transformation that a client wants to make e.g. “to live a smoke free life”. Hypnosis is like a car, a potentially amazing car, with you as the driver … but you need a driving instructor to be able to use the potential of the car, before you are off and running on your own. I simply have a depth of experience of the kinds of suggestions that you may benefit from, whether they are very clear and direct, very picturesque or metaphorical. Based on my experience, I guide your sessions, but in one sense, almost all hypnosis is self hypnosis. You can’t be coerced to do or think or act in a way that is not OK with you.
Now you say, “I’ve seen a stage show” … where people act out in strange ways. What if I told you they were essentially actors who wanted an audience. This is the case with stage shows as there is a “selection process” to fill the seats on stage, a selection process that is guided by the script for the show. Extroverts volunteer to go up in front of their friends and act out. So it is voluntary and they have a great time, doing what they want to do, being the centre of attention.
To summarise, hypnosis is a state of mind where you are more decisive (about your own life) and in control. Hypnotherapy is what happens when you direct your attention (with the assistance of an experienced therapist) to the changes you want to make. Now you see the value of an experienced therapist, someone with a depth of experience supporting people to make changes in their lives.
Are you experienced?
That’s a great question. I am very experienced in hypnosis and many types of hypnotherapy, behaviour management, habit change, relaxation training, anxiety reduction, physiological and lifestyle change. I have over 40 years clinical experience working directly with clients to resolve health and lifestyle issues. I continually refine my techniques and continue to research and study in order to find the best solutions for my clients.
Are you qualified?
Yes. Academically, I hold University qualifications in Psychology [Graduate Diploma from the University of New England], Sociology [Masters Degree] and Biology [Bachelor’s Degree] both from the University of NSW. I studied counselling and psychotherapy [Jansen-Newman Institute] and developed and taught a Diploma in Holistic Counselling at Nature Care College.
I have completed advanced training with experts including Michael Yapko, Gil Boyne and Andrew Newton. I was a Researcher and University Lecturer in Natural Medicine [Southern Cross University]. My Masters Theses investigated mesmerism.
I have been a Naturopathic and Chinese Medicine College Principal, consultant to academic and natural health associations in Australia and overseas, including the Commonwealth Health Ministers. I have served as a Director of several natural medicine associations [Naturopaths and Herbalists Association of Australia, Australian Traditional Medicine Society, Psychophysical Therapists Guild]. I have Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas in Clinical and Humanistic Hypnosis as well as Diplomas in Herbalism and Nutrition.
In relation to online education and delivery of audio files, I am experienced in curriculum development and hold a Diploma in Sound Fundamentals and a Diploma in Digital Content Production from the Australian Film Television and Radio School. I spent several years researching, preparing and presenting a weekly 1 hr radio program [mindwaves], recorded over 40 podcasts reporting on Australian university researchers [Soundminds Radio] and produced an award winning radio documentary [In Search of Silence].
Why did you learn hypnotherapy?
Great question. I worked primarily using counselling, psychotherapy and herbal medicine. As my client base grew, so did the complexity of the issues that I was helping people with, including a phase where one in three clients were facing life threatening conditions. I realised in working with these clients that all people had a need to progress more rapidly through any emotional or psychological issues. In addition, I discovered that hypnotherapy could be applied to changing physiological functions. And it yielded results in a timely manner as well as providing stress reduction for my clients.
What type of hypnotherapy do you use?
Hypnosis is a powerful and effective state of mind achieved by an individual, usually guided by a hypnotherapist, or using self-hypnosis. Hypnosis was used traditionally in traditional cultures without that name being applied to the technique. Mesmerism is often confused with or described as a forerunner to hypnosis, but it is a very different technique. In 1849 the term hypnosis established itself in western medicine.
Over the last seventy years there have been many claims to utilising different styles, even franchises of hypnosis and even using hypnosis techniques but claiming they were not hypnosis. This was probably due to the need to deflect from the alleged “power of the hypnotist” or the unsubstantiated claim that hypnosis was not allowed by a religion or faith.
There are, in my opinion, several styles of hypnotherapy utilised, typically with a practitioner staying with the technique they were taught. I would suggest that the key differences are between didactic and story-based hypnotherapy solutions.
Didactic (or teaching style) techniques create a situation where the client is told what they are or are not going to be doing. Whilst it seems the hypnotherapist is in control, they are only in control of the words. The client is usually in agreement with a statement like “You will not smoke”. If the therapist offers a suggestion the client is not in agreement with it will be ineffective.
Storytelling or narrative techniques involve the client in their own story, or in effect, allow the client to create a new narrative for their life, in hypnosis. In hypnosis, the new narrative becomes the narrative and clients re-enter their life, living this new ideal healthy narrative. Narratives can be representative, metaphorical, full of imagery, mysterious, adventurous, or not, just like any good story.
What is Holistic Hypnotherapy?
Holism is a term that now has a large academic literature, even though it was only introduced in 1926 and since then its meaning has shifted. In terms of my practice, I am wanting to honour the whole individual, their physical, emotional, psychological, cultural, sociological and spiritual dimensions. I want to present to each person a treatment option that fits with their story and the transformation that they wish to make. Holistic Hypnotherapy respects the client and their beliefs and provided a treatment protocol which addresses their unique situation.
Do I need to keep doing my hypnosis exercises?
No, but most people do. You don’t need to keep doing the exercises, but most people choose to use exercises learned during our time together and apply the techniques to other areas of their life.
What’s your success rate?
After more than 30 years of clinical work, with most of my clients coming via referral, it’s high. For smokers, an easy success to measure, my success rate at the time of therapy is over 98%. More importantly, two years after they stopped, the success is over 95%. For other issues, we need to determine what “success” is for you, whether it’s a physiological measurement, like Blood Pressure or the removal of a phobia, or the ability to manage chronic pain.
Can I learn self-hypnosis techniques easily?
Yes. They are easy to learn, just listen to the exercises and soon you will be making your own scripts for your hypnosis journey. You are always provided with recordings of your sessions, so they are available for download or listening 24/7. When you are relaxed, you are more creative and decisive. It feels comfortable, reduces anxiety and it works. You will look forward to your relaxation time each day.
How many sessions do I need?
Most problems are resolved in 3 to 5 sessions. It may take longer, typically for long term addiction issues, or complex medical or personal situations. I will advise you during our first session as to my expectations for your therapeutic success.
Book your sessions or contact me to ask any questions you have or organise a Strategy Session.
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