Hypno-psychotherapy - Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hypnosis?
Contrary to popular belief, hypnosis does not have to be a state of complete relaxation. Neither is it a magical force or power, as was thought for thousands of years. Nor is it physiological sleep, even though it may seem to resemble it. In simple terms, it is nothing more (and nothing less) than a special state of altered awareness, in which chosen behaviour of everyday life is manifested in a direct manner, usually with the aid of another person, although of course, it can be self induced.

What is Hypnotherapy?
It is the utilisation of the altered state of awareness to channel the untapped resources of the unconscious mind to achieve therapeutic change. The induction and maintenance of the altered state serve to provide a special psychological state, in which a person can reassociate and reorganise inner psychological complexities, and utilise his or her own capabilities.

Therapeutic hypnosis has little relation to the popular presentation of stage hypnosis, and serious therapists have respect and care for their clients. The N-SHAP School of Ericksonian Hypnosis trains therapists to be highly skilled in observation, so that they are able to recognise even minor variations in behaviour that provide important clues to a person's interests and abilities. These signs are utilised to help guide the client into the absorbing state of altered awareness that is usually called trance. Hypno-psychotherapy is then able to channel hitherto untapped resources of the unconscious mind to achieve the desired changes.
What is Advanced Hypnotherapy?
Advanced Hypnotherapy is based on the work of the late Dr Milton H Erickson, the American psychiatrist and psychotherapist who pioneered modern hypnosis. It also includes the developed approaches of applied psychology, such as Neuro-Linguistic Programming which mainly derives from Dr Erickson's work. Advanced Hypnotherapy is a dynamic system incorporating some of the latest findings of research on the Brain/Mind, the interactions of the Left/Right Hemispheres, the Conscious/Subconscious, and on the observation and understanding of the ways in which humans communicate. It takes into account the special individual characteristics of each person, rather than trying to fit him/her into a rigidly defined system. It increases the choices of the client to avoid automatic repetitive response in a painful way to stressful situations. Through its use, life can be made freer of debilitating anxiety, depression, and other negative reactions, and positive responses can be initiated.

What is Psychotherapy?
It is the treatment of psychological disorders by psychological methods. This may be by suggestion, persuasion, hypnosis, behaviour modification, non-directive encounter, or psychoanalysis.

What is Psychology?
The study of the mind and its activities. Each individual has his/her own particular way of responding to situations and stimuli, and psychology is a study of this behaviour.

Latest
2008 CPD programme (29/07/07)