At the mention of Hypnotherapy, most people think of smoking cessation or weight loss, but did you know that hypnotherapy can also assist you to overcome so much more? If you have made countless attempts to stick to the traditional new year resolutions only to fi nd
that within a few weeks you are back where you started, you might like to consider fi nding
out how hypnotherapy can help you achieve your goal. The mainstay of a therapist’s working day is in helping adults and children overcome issues surrounding anxiety, the effects of stress, low confi dence, self-esteem issues, fears & phobias, unwanted habits such as nail-biting, teeth grinding and smoking, addictions, exam/performance nerves, sleep disturbance, emotional problems, post traumatic stress disorder, etc.

Many people think that hypnosis is a strange state that someone else controls. This is definitely not the case; in fact all of us experience the hypnotic state everyday of our lives! You may be surprised to discover that if you have ever daydreamed or been so engrossed in a book or a fi lm that you lost track of time, for example, that you have
already experienced hypnosis.

Hypnosis is simply a relaxed, inward-focused state of mind where you are less involved in your external environment. On its own, hypnosis simply allows you to relax deeply. The ability to relax well has benefi cial effects on your general state of health: improving immune function, lowering blood pressure, calming the mind, improving digestion, etc.

A qualifi ed hypnotherapist assists you to become really good at increasing your depth
of relaxation so that you go deeper into your ‘daydream’ state. It is when you are in this
state that the subconscious mind becomes more open to suggestion. This part of your mind contains all your past learning, memories and habit patterns. It works alongside your conscious mind all of the time and is the main driver to how you react and behave, which is why it is often hard for you to change longstanding habits and thought patterns by yourself. The hypnotherapist facilitates the correct methods for you to process positive relearning in your subconscious. During hypnosis you are always in control, you cannot be made to say or do anything that you do not want to, and you can bring yourself out of hypnosis at any time.

Following the initial consultation therapist will formulate a tailor-made treatment process
based on your specifi c and individual needs, so that she or he can assist you to make
the changes you desire to achieve your goals. People often ask how many sessions are required and whilst this is impossible to determine at the start, most people fi nd that they can achieve their desired outcome within just two or three sessions.

If you are considering seeking help it is important to choose a qualifi ed hypnotherapist who is registered with an appropriate professional association so that you can be assured that not only have they undergone thorough training, but that they are required to regularly update their skills via post-graduation courses.

One such professional organisation is the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC), which only accepts professionally qualifi ed therapists into its membership.

If you have a mind to make positive change, pick up the phone, contact your local qualifi ed hypnotherapist and make 2012 the year you succeeded in those resolutions!