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Frequently Asked Questions
How does hypnotherapy work?The mind may be considered like an iceberg, with the conscious part of our brain (our daily thoughts, behaviours and memories) making up the tip of the iceberg. The other, far larger portion of the iceberg hidden beneath the waves is our unconscious or sub-conscious mind. This is the part of your mind where your beliefs, behaviours, emotions and long-term memories are stored. If you have ever experienced a phobia or addiction, it is often because of a belief system that has been stored in the subconscious from a previous experience. The subconscious is difficult to access with the conscious mind: most counselling deals solely with the conscious mind, thus ignoring the source of many of the beliefs and behaviours that in reality are located in the subconscious. Hypnotherapy uses hypnosis to access this subconscious part of the mind quickly and easily in order to alter unhelpful subconscious processes and bring about positive change in the client.
What is hypnosis and what does it feel like?Hypnosis can be difficult to define as its applications are so varied. The hypnosis most commonly used in hypnotherapy is the attainment of a state of deep relaxation. During hypnosis, the conscious mind is allowed to relax so that the subconscious can begin to bubble to the surface. From this relaxed state, the hidden processes of the subconscious can be accessed and then altered to bring about positive change in the client. The hypnotherapist will usually make sure you are seated comfortably before guiding you into this relaxed state through various techniques of meditation and visualisation. In this state you may experience sensations of peacefulness, heightened awareness, clarity of thought, lowered heart rate, lowered blood-pressure and heightened memory. It is important to note that while under hypnosis, you remain fully aware of yourself, your surroundings and your beliefs: at no point do you lose any control over your actions or thoughts. Indeed, hypnosis can often best be defined as a state of heightened awareness. It is this heightened awareness, achieved through a deeply relaxed state of mind that allows the hypnotherapist to work with the client to alter their subconscious processes.
What is the role of the therapist in hypnotherapy?The hypnotherapist is a guide and facilitator of positive change whose skills and expertise will assist you through the therapy and help you to bring about whatever change you are ready to undergo. The hypnotherapist will guide you into a state of hypnosis, during which he or she will use vocal suggestion to address the issues that you wish to address, or any others that become apparent during the session. When the desired change has occurred, the hypnotherapist will bring you back out of trance and help you to process and reflect upon the changes that have taken place.
What can hypnotherapy fix?
There is no limit to the mind's ability to heal, repair, rebuild and create. Hypnotherapy is an invaluable tool no matter what the desired change. Whether you want to kick an unhelpful habit, free yourself from a phobia, improve overall health and wellbeing or let go of unwanted emotional baggage, the list is literally endless and the only limit is your imagination. Feel free to contact Ash Morse with any issues or concerns that you may have.
Am I in control or can the therapist make me say and do things I don't want them to?
The hypnotherapist is there to positively guide you through the changes that you wish to make. All hypnosis is self-hypnosis and you remain completely aware and in control at all times. The hypnotherapist works through suggestions to help you navigate through the pathways of your mind. However, these suggestions only work with the full consent and compliance of the person being hypnotised. You may bring yourself back out of hypnosis at any time.
Is hypnotherapy dangerous?No. As stated above, hypnosis is a completely natural state of mind that many engage in daily without even knowing it. A person under hypnosis remains in full control at all times and only engages in thoughts or behaviours suggested by the hypnotherapist with full consent.
Can I get stuck in trance permanently?No. A skilled hypnotherapist will bring a client out of trance completely before the session has ended. Often this is an important part of the therapy in reflecting with a fully alert conscious mind on the deeper changes that have just been achieved. In addition, as stated above, a person under hypnosis only engages in suggestion willingly and may bring themselves out of trance at any point. It is also not possible for a person to go too deeply into trance: there is not a point of no return as the client will simply fall asleep and wake up naturally. The hypnotherapist will monitor the depth of trance during the session to maintain an ideal state of hypnosis.
Am I able to bring a friend into the session for comfort?Of course. Many people find that a hypnotherapy session makes them feel very self-empowered, however, depending on the individual, the experience may be heightened by the presence of someone who helps you to feel more safe and comfortable. However, in many cases this may not be desirable, especially if the session brings up emotions that may be helpful for you to release but hurtful to the person present, or if part of your problem involves relying too much on other people.
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