Hypnotherapy

What is hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy works with your mind; specifically your unconscious mind. Your unconscious mind holds important information that you can use to bring about change in the mind and body.  It is a technical approach that uses the natural patterns of your brain, and especially those concerned with taking suggestions on board for positive and desirable change. It is a very gentle process and has been used for over 1000 years for healing and growth.

The mind – body connection

There are two parts to your mind; the conscious mind and the unconscious mind. The conscious part is that part that is aware in each moment. For example before reading this, you may not have been aware of the feel of your feet on the floor or your back on the chair you are sitting on. You only become aware when your attention is directed to it.

The second part of your mind is the unconscious part. This part contains all the information about your life, your experience, your motives, your instincts and your memories. The unconscious mind manages your sensations and your bodily functions too. It keeps your heart beating, your blood circulating, your kidneys filtering, your digestion working and your lymph system operating. It works without you being consciously aware of it, and it does this perfectly well without you needing to paying  attention to it.

Your unconscious mind not only manages your body, it also continually communicates to every cell in your body. The information it communicates is carried via chemical messages to all those cells.  These messages contain the pictures you have in your head, the sounds you remember, the feelings you have and the ideas and beliefs you hold. Your immune system is affected by all of these things too. The immune system is the body’s protection and defence force. These messages have an impact, affecting how you respond to internal and external threats to your health and well-being.

How does hypnotherapy work?

There are many things we can be consciously aware of but we now know the operation of our body and the health of our body is a function of the unconscious. Hypnotherapy allows us to use this mind-body connection and work closely with the unconscious mind, clearing up confusing messages and directing the kinds of helpful messages we want to give to the body. The unconscious mind can accept messages aimed at defending and helping the body.

What happens in a session?

Hypnotherapy sessions are personally tailored for you and your specific needs. In your individual hypnotherapy sessions you are guided by a therapist into a relaxed state.  In this state you may be deeply relaxed, however your mind is working and alert to your experience; highly focused on the task at hand. 

Some people are concerned about any lack of control over themselves whilst in a deeply relaxed state. It is important to state that you have complete control and can stop at any time. You have the choice to stay with it or leave it. Your mind will not accept anything that it does not agree with.

What can hypnotherapy help with?

• Now that you know it is very safe, you can consider all the ways in which it may be helpful for you.  Hypnotherapy can help:
• Reduce stress
• Release anxiety
• Improve the quality of sleep
• Lower blood pressure
• Greatly reduce pain
• Eliminate irrational fears
• You prepare for other treatments such as chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy.

Number and length of appointments:

Appointments usually last for one hour and the number of sessions will vary according to your individual complementary therapy programme.
The Haven has also produced a pdf entitled Hypnotherapy for cancer and immunity.

Listen to: Hypnotherapy for cancer and immunity
Read: Hypnotherapy for cancer and immunity