What is hypnotherapy? Simply put hypnotherapy is a beautiful, natural method for making beneficial changes. The conscious mind is the part of us that doesn’t take well to suggestions. It thinks and reasons but also imposes limits and nags us with doubts about our own abilities.

Essentially, the hypnotherapist uses hypnosis to relax the conscious mind into a passive state and then introduces suggestions into the powerful subconscious mind which is far more receptive.

The suggestible state achieved through hypnosis is generally termed being “in trance.” For some people this term conjures up visions of magic, but hypnosis is really a very natural state and has been observed across cultures and throughout time.  It is an altered state of awareness somewhere between being fully awake and being fully asleep.

Another common term you may hear referred to is “hypnotic sleep”. This is not the same sort of sleep that we all experience when we go to bed at night. It is simply another word for trance.

The client is in control of the nature of the suggestions. This is discussed with your hypnotherapist prior to hypnosis. Therefore, you need to have clear goals in mind when you come for your initial consultation. No one can be forced to do things through hypnosis that they don’t want to do.

The conscious mind, while passive during hypnosis, is still aware and will not allow suggestions that go against strongly held values or the ethical behaviour of the client. It is likely that during hypnosis you will be aware of every word that is said, even though you will feel deeply relaxed and peaceful.

Maybe you are now wondering does hypnotherapy work?