What is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is a powerful, evidence-based therapeutic approach that accesses the mind-body connection to facilitate positive change. It combines hypnotherapy with well established therapeutic psychological methods to address a wide range of personal and professional challenges.

How Does Hypnotherapy Work?

During a hypnotherapy session, we guide the client into a relaxed state of focused attention and heightened suggestibility. This relaxed state allows access to the subconscious mind, where limiting beliefs and behaviours reside. By working directly with the subconscious, hypnotherapy helps:

  1. Help everyone define their goals and achieve them and realise their limitless potential

  2. Enhance motivation and productivity

  3. Reduce stress and anxiety

  4. Improve focus and concentration

  5. Boost confidence and self-esteem

  6. Reframing past issues and related causes

  7. Overcome mental blocks and self-limiting beliefs

The Science Behind Hypnotherapy

Research has shown that hypnotherapy creates measurable changes in brain activity, particularly in areas associated with attention and emotional regulation. This scientific basis supports the efficacy of hypnotherapy in creating lasting behavioural change.

The effectiveness of Hypnotherapy is grounded in neuroscience and psychology. Understanding the mechanisms behind this approach can help explain its powerful results:

  • Neuroplasticity and Brain States

    Hypnotherapy induces a state of focused attention that enhances neuroplasticity - which is the brains' ability to form new neural connections and associated positive thoughts and behaviours. This is demonstrated through neuroimaging studies.

  • Brainwave Patterns

    During hypnotherapy individuals often exhibit increased theta wave activity, associated with relaxation and heightened learning capacity. This state is similar to the brain activity observed during deep relaxation meditation and deep concentration.

  • The Relaxation Response

    Hypnotherapy triggers the relaxation response, reducing cortisol levels and activating the parasympathetic nervous system. This physiological state is conducive to learning and positive behaviour change.

  • Suggestibility and Critical Faculty Bypass

    In the hypnotic state, the mind becomes more open to suggestions, partly due to a temporary reduction in the critical faculty - the part of our mind that analyses and judges information. This allows for more direct communication with the subconscious mind.

  • Memory Reconsolidation

    Hypnotherapy can facilitate memory reconsolidation, a process where existing memories are recalled and reframed. This is particularly useful in addressing  traumas, and ingrained habits.

  • Cognitive Restructuring

    Through guided imagery and suggestion, hypnotherapy helps in cognitive restructuring - changing thought patterns and beliefs at a subconscious level, which leads to lasting behavioural changes.

  • Attention Regulation

    Studies using fMRI have shown that hypnotherapy can modulate activity in brain regions involved in attention regulation. This explains hypnotherapys' effectiveness in improving focus and concentration.

  • Pain Perception

    Hypnotherapy has been shown to alter activity in brain regions associated with pain perception, such as the anterior cingulate cortex and the somatosensory cortex. This underlies its efficacy in pain management.

  • Placebo Effect Enhancement

    While not a placebo itself, hypnotherapy enhances the placebo effect - a well-documented phenomenon where belief in a treatments' efficacy can produce positive physiological changes.

  • Autonomic Nervous System Regulation

    Hypnotherapy can influence the autonomic nervous system, potentially affecting heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion. This makes it powerful for stress-related physical symptoms.