The first stage of a hypnotherapy consultation is to determine if hypnotherapy is for you. It will generally involve an informal chat and some questions from the therapist to ascertain the nature of your condition you would like to address and the treatment plan to overcoming or deal with your issue. The next stage is hypnosis.
You are led, by means of the hypnotherapist's gently guiding voice, into a state where your body and mind are relaxed and nearly asleep. To an onlooker it might seem as if you were totally asleep but in fact, though you will normally feel very relaxed, you will remain awake enough to be alert and aware. Also awake, will be those parts of your mind which the therapist is working with to induce beneficial changes. You will then be directed through relaxation techniques, using a series of mental images and suggestions intended to change behaviors and relieve symptoms. For example, people who have panic attacks may be given the suggestion that, in the future, they will be able to relax whenever they want. This may mean that you will be picturing, as in a daydream, the things which are being spoken of and that you may experience the associated pleasant feelings.
**REMEMBER that if at any time you feel uncomfortable and want to terminate the session, then you will be perfectly capable of doing so.
After your session, is time to discuss any experiences you had while you were in the relaxed, hypnotic state and to answer any questions you may have. The hypnotherapist will also teach you the basics of self-hypnosis and give you an audiotape or cd to use at home so you can reinforce what you learned during the session.
The hypnotist is there to bring out the hidden power to achieve things in your life such as stopping smoking, losing weight, cutting down on stress, phobias, pain management, gaining in confidence and happiness, even excelling at be a better you.
