What is Hypnotherapy?

Contrary to popular belief, hypnosis is not magic! It is a naturally altered state of consciousness, a bit like the stage between waking and sleeping, into which you can allow the therapist to guide you. Although some people find it easier than others to go into trance, almost everyone can go into a sufficient trance for therapy.

A body of scientific evidence is building to demonstrate the effectiveness of hypnosis in treating a wide range of conditions. There is also strong evidence to suggest that the mind is directly linked to our immune systems, which means that hypnotherapy can affect both our physical and psychological well being.

About the Treatments

What does it feel like?
Very pleasant. Patients report a feeling of deep relaxation and calm.

It is important to realise that the patient is in control all the time, knows what is happening, and can come out of the state at any time, in the same way anyone can snap out of a vivid daydream.

The therapist focuses on the patient’s future goals and on how to achieve them. Normally there is no requirement to explore the past. Sometimes it can help to look to the past to gain insight into a problem, but this would be agreed first with the patient.

What happens on the first visit?
The therapist will take time to ensure that the patient fully understands hypnotherapy and is happy to continue. This is followed by a full case history so that therapy can be personalised to the patient, and about 30 minutes of trance work.

The first session lasts 1.5 hours, to enable a full case history to be taken. Subsequent sessions last an hour.

Costs
All treatments other than STOP SMOKING are £50 per session.

How many sessions are required?
This will vary from patient to patient and very much depends upon the nature of the problem. Sometimes the effects of treatment can be quite dramatic. Smoking requires only one session. Other conditions can often be cleared up in 2-3 sessions. Complex problems may take longer, but even then, it is normal to see improvement after about 5 or 6 sessions. In any event the therapist and patient will review progress after 3 sessions.

Is it safe?
Absolutely! The patient remains in control at all times. It is a fact that no-one can be hypnotised against their will and even when hypnotised, a person can still reject any suggestion. Thus therapeutic hypnosis is a state of purposeful co-operation, making it a very safe form of therapy.

Lesley Jefferson, BA Hons, Cert Ed, D. Hyp, BSCH

Until 2000 Lesley trained and assessed managers, working in a broad range of commercial organisations as well as the public sector. She was surprised at how stressed many of them were, and went on to train as a stress management coach and hypnotherapist, gaining post graduate diplomas in Coaching and in Clinical Hypnotherapy.

She was trained by the London College of Clinical Hypnosis, which also teaches hypnosis to doctors and dentists. Their courses are accredited by Greenwich University and recognised by the Open University.

Lesley is a member of the British Society of Clinical Hypnosis www.bsch.org.uk. She abides by their code of ethics and continues to undertake professional development and professional supervision.