Hypnotherapy is the act of placing the mind into a hypnotic state where actions and outcomes can be transformed and changed for the betterment of the person. When actively hypnotized, a person's mind is put to rest or placed in a relaxed state, where the stresses of every day life and the thoughts that often preoccupy the mind fall off to reveal a more inner sight. Hypnosis has been compared to the feeling the body experiences when falling into a deep sleep. The comforts of the body, the calmness of the mind are all very similar to the state that hypnosis renders on the user.

How does hypnosis work?

Hypnosis is a partnership that requires three careful pieces. A hypnotherapy specialist, a person and a willingness to be hypnotized. The mind must be ready and willing to enter into a state of hypnosis for the person to feel the effects of the hypnotherapy. The minds strength, when centred against hypnotherapy, can render the treatment ineffective.

Once these three pieces are in place, the sessions and the hypnotherapy can begin. During the first couple of sessions, there will be light hearted discussions about why the patient has chosen hypnotherapy, the reasons for the hypnosis and the outcome the patient is seeking from the hypnotherapy. After these sessions are complete, the therapist will begin the active stages of hypnotherapy.

How will the active sessions begin?

As your mind's guide, the therapist will speak softly and gently coaxing the mind into a restful place where the patient is both aware of their surroundings, yet calm enough to release some of the blockages of the mind. The body will relax and the therapist will begin to speak of some of the events you have shared over the course of the first few sessions. These events will be pictured in the mind as if you were dreaming of the same things the therapist is speaking of. At the same time, the therapist will be using these memories to inch closer to the memories that may be causing the stresses and anxieties that brought you to the hypnotherapy session in the first place.

How long will therapy last?

Hypnotherapy is not a timed process. There are different angles and avenues of the mind for different people. This unique quality of the mind shapes and changes the focus of therapy for each patient. Some patients see improvement in as little as one active session, while others require longer periods of therapy in order to come to terms with the sorted happenings within life.

Life is also constantly changing and the memories of the mind update on a constant basis. These changes can lead to new information and new problems that can be sorted through with the therapist during the hypnotherapy sessions.

Fears put to rest

Many people believe that hypnotherapy is the same as the hypnosis tricks they see on a stage. This is not the case. Stage hypnosis is nothing more than a trick of the mind. Yes, these people are often in an altered state of mind, but trained hypnotherapy specialists are there to help people just as chiropractors or family physicians are there to help the patient relieve a pain. They are not going to train you to jump at the sound of a car horn or bark like a dog every time you drink milk. Hypnotherapy offers a unique solution that is natural, drug free and relaxing. Even if there are no real specific reasons to seek the help of a hypnotherapist, there will be a freer, more relaxed state of mind that is created from talking about and releasing the inner most thoughts and feelings of the mind.

Author's Bio: 

Terry Doherty works all over the UK working extensively with individual and business clients helping them to stop smoking, manage weight, manage stress, become more confident and help create generative change. Terry uses the latest techniques of hypnosis, NLP and life coaching skills for profound change. Contact him at www.mind-works.co.uk