What is hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is a combination of hypnosis and psycho-analytical techniques to aid the removal of emotional root causes that can be attributed to problems such as fears, phobias, anxiety, depression and panic attacks ... the 'root emotional causes' are always found locked away in childhood experiences, so the basis of our hypnotherapy is to use pure hypnoanalysis to help clients release their emotional blockages in a gentle, caring environment.

Now there are different schools of thought on how and why hypnosis works, in particular with the removal of anxiety driven problems, what we find is it works very well when the client is motivated and supported through their therapy sessions with us.

BBC2 Alternative Therapies explains more ...
There's an enormous amount of research into the mind and how it really works. In fact on a BBC2 programme called Alternative Therapies, Kathy Sykes, Professor of Science and Society at Bristol University goes on a personal journey to find out more and travels across the world looking for answers that elusive question: 'Does hypnosis exist and does it work?'

She follows patients who are trying the therapy for themselves; sees hypnotherapists at work and meets scientists looking inside our brains to try and unravel what might be going on during hypnosis. As hypnotherapists, we know that it doesn't matter too much on what people might think happens ... all we're concerned with is the results our clients get from experiencing hypnosis and hypnotherapy.

Kathy tries hypnotherapy herself to explain what it felt like for her, which is something we'd expect from a professor ... She also looks at what scientists make of trance. And in Italy, she looks into the minds of people as they are given suggestions both under, and without, hypnosis. She discovers that suggestions really can affect how we perceive the world.

Although, this is nothing new. In fact as far back as the 19th Century we had prominent scientists such as Emile Coué stating: "Day by day, in every way, I am getting better and better."

But does any of this translate into health benefits?
After examining the evidence, Kathy decides to explore two areas where hypnotherapy is being used by medical practitioners who believe it can offer something particularly valuable. At the South Manchester Hospital she meets Professor Peter Whorwell who is pioneering the use of hypnotherapy for people suffering from the most extreme form of Irritable Bowel Syndrome; in Scotland she meets Mandy whose dentist is about pull out her front teeth and drill metal implants into her jaw using hypnosis but without a local anaesthetic.

It's then reported that Kathy then travels to Montreal to meet Professor Pierre Rainville, a world expert on pain and follows his latest experiment using brain scans to explore the basis of hypnotic pain relief.

All of this travel and experience will definitely show Kathy how versatile hypnosis and hypnotherapy is and more importantly how it can complement traditional medicine in aiding the recovery and improvement in people's lives!

So, what is hypnosis?
Hypnosis was originally named using the Greek word Hypnos, meaning sleep…..but it is definitely not sleep.

It is in fact a state of deep relaxation, along with intense concentration and this state is brought about by nothing more than the sound of a voice.

The hypnotherapist uses their voice to relax the client to the point where the person's unconscious mind can be offered positive suggestions which are solely to their benefit. From suggestions for relaxation in previously stressful situations, to "rewards" for ceasing unwanted behaviour i.e. to stop smoking or nail-biting.

You probably won't feel "hypnotised" as there is no such thing as a "hypnotised feeling" only a feeling of calm, restfulness; possibly the most peaceful feeling you can achieve without actually being asleep.

Most people are surprised to find that they are able to talk and answer questions during therapy and that they will most likely remember every word spoken by themselves and the therapist.

Far from being in the therapist's control, they are able to move around, even to stop the session and leave at any time.

Afterwards, most clients leave the office in a state of peaceful relaxation - some say that this is the most relaxed they have felt in months or even years and that feeling lasts for some time afterwards.

If you have ever returned home from work or the shops, following a well-known route and found yourself at home with little memory of the journey….that is hypnosis. Simply relaxation, (you know where you're going,) plus concentration (dinner or a work problem perhaps.)