I attended a short introduction to Hypnotherapy and was pleasantly surprised to learn that Stage Hypnotism is quite different to Hypnotherapy. This came as a relief as I was drawn towards Hypnotherapy but like a lot of people have seen tv shows where hypnotists ‘make’ people do silly things and that was the last thing I wanted. Hypnotherapy is a form of deep relaxation with helpful suggestions put to the client. Like most things, the more it is practiced the easier it becomes. So let me explain a typical session that a client may experience with me.
Not to be too prescriptive but generally speaking, a hypnotherapy session with someone whom I have already carried out an introduction, will be split roughly into 3 parts. A session lasts up to an hour, so that means approximately 20 minutes for each part. I say approximately because each session is different and there may be need to spend more time in one area and I work flexibly.
The first part of the session is usually a catch up from the last session, looking at any progress or change, and new issues, did the client get chance to practice in-between sessions? Is there any development? This gives me an idea on any progress, change or not and what we can work on this time, while building on the work we have already done. The next part is relaxation. It helps us settle into the therapy, ready for the third part- the hypnotherapy. Of course, not every session contains hypnotherapy. It could be that we work on visualisation, or CBT techniques, but the relaxation is usually helpful, with whatever area we work on.
For relaxation, my client is welcome to sit or lie in whatever position is best for them. Think comfort! If I’m working online, clients are usually at home, and get comfortable on an armchair or sofa. If I am working from my therapy room, there is a lovely, comfortable sofa. It may help to have a blanket over your legs or body, as during relaxation our temperature tends to lower. Even in the hot summer, I suggest a light blanket, to at least cover bottom half of legs, but of course, it’s up to the individual. I then talk my client through a relaxation exercise. I find this incredibly relaxing myself as I go on that journey with my client. It helps to have eyes closed; and a nice quiet space. Relaxation can be like a form of meditation, where everything outside of the exercise fades away and the feeling of immense comfort and relaxation washes in.
When my client is relaxed, we move into Hypnotherapy. During hypnotherapy the client is aware of everything and able to stop at any time. Clients have described it “like being aware of what you were saying and knowing I could intervene/stop but not wanting to”. Clients remember everything. There are many different exercises of guided Hypnotherapy and I work with the information that my client has relayed to me. I tend not to use prescribed scripts as I don’t want the reading to get in the way of the journey. I find that ‘the flow’ is better when I ‘free flow’. This also allows me to adapt the session in a way that captures my client’s essence.
Once the work comes to a natural end, I gently (verbally) guide my client back into the room with me and invite my client to maybe take a few deep breaths and stretch. If in person, I provide a glass of water. There’s no rush to get up and go. Generally, clients feel relaxed and refreshed, so it’s good to embrace those feelings and savour them.
That’s it in a nutshell! Sometimes I suggest that my client works on something relevant to the session and practice in their own time, sort of ‘homework’ but it’s not compulsory and I don’t want it to be a drag for them, it’s just that like any growth, the more you put in, the more you get out, and change does not come easily.
I hope I’ve alleviated any fears or doubts you may have about Hypnotherapy. It’s important with any therapy, to find a therapist that you feel comfortable with, so that trust can build. There’s as many therapists as there are clients, so I suggest that if you try one and it doesn’t suit you, please don’t be put off entirely, try someone else. You will find the right therapist if you keep trying, and each therapist will bring something different.
