Clinical Hypnotherapy

Many people get confused by stage or TV hypnosis which is just for show, for entertainment. It is very different – see question below.

Hypnosis is actually simply a deep meditative type state of focused attention during relaxation. It is similar to the trance state you enter when reading or watching a movie.

Clinical Hypnosis (sometimes called Cognitive Hypnosis)

With Hypnotherapy you are guided into hypnosis to focus your attention at a much deeper level of mind, on what it is you want to achieve. Because your critical factor is put to rest, you thus can creatively discover the best answers and so make the changes you so desire.

See below as derived from:- https://chpa.ie/what-is-hypnotherapy/ (on 2018-09-21)

“What is Hypnotherapy?

It is a trance like, naturally occurring state of mind that can bring you into a safe, natural state of relaxation. There are many schools of thought on this, but it is generally agreed that it is a state of focused attention which uses both the conscious and unconscious mind to facilitate change. You have probably experienced hypnosis naturally thousands of times whether you are aware of it or not. Normal, everyday hypnosis occurs when you are driving down the road and lose track of time, or when you are focusing on a book or a good film –  often you don’t notice what is going on around you. You are not asleep, and you are in control. It’s an imaginative free-floating and pleasant state of mind where you’re far more aware than usual but also a lot more focused. Brain scans on people who are in hypnosis show that brain wave activity moves from a Beta state to an Alpha state, and sometimes, to a Theta state. This is not dissimilar to the pattern of brain activity during meditation.

What is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is the use of different types of therapy in hypnosis, along with the mind’s own natural abilities, to resolve issues, relieve emotional burdens and achieve personal goals. It is a safe, effective process and involves the client and therapist working together to bring about positive changes in how they think, feel and act.

What is Hypnotherapy used for?

Hypnotherapy can be used to improve, and in many cases entirely remove, any symptom or challenge that is caused by emotions, habits, behaviour or psychological issues. Experts now agree that many life problems, including physical disease, may have underlying causative factors that are predominantly psychological or emotional. Hypnotherapy works well with any issue involving psychological/emotional factors. Resolving a problem that’s “inside you but feels out of your control” can give you your life back.  As well as resolving problems, many now use hypnotherapy to improve performance in sport, business, study, the arts and personal relationships.

Are there different types of hypnotherapy?

Yes, hypnosis is a tool, and many types of therapy can be carried out using hypnosis. In fact many of our therapists use a variety of psychotherapeutic techniques with a client in hypnosis. The main ones are:

Suggestion Hypnotherapy

Suggestion therapy involves the hypnotherapist giving a series of ‘suggestions’ to help an individual to do something they want to do (e.g. public speaking) or make it easier to stop doing something they don’t want to do (e.g. smoking). It is often used when there is no root cause that needs to be dealt with, or when there are time constraints (such as an individual wanting to deal with a fear of flying). It is often considered a short-term therapy compared with other types of therapy, and changes can occur within the first 1-3 sessions.

Analytical Hypnotherapy

Analytical Hypnotherapy (also called hypnoanalysis) can be effective in dealing with deeper issues and involves psychotherapy using hypnosis. Analytical hypnotherapy seeks to find the root cause of a problem, and deal with the underlying issue, rather than the presenting problem. Analytical hypnotherapy usually requires much more commitment than suggestion therapy. However, once the root cause has been identified and dealt with, the results can be life changing.

Is Hypnosis Safe?

Yes. Hypnosis is safe because you are in control the whole time. Hypnosis has been approved by the British Medical Association in 1955 and the American Medical Association in 1958. The American Psychological Association approved hypnosis as a science in 1960.  For over 200 years prior to official recognition medical and psychological professionals were using hypnosis to benefit their patients.

Am I in Control? What about Stage Hypnosis?

A Hypnotherapist cannot make you do anything you don’t want to, even if it’s good for you.  Forget what you’ve seen in the movies and on TV, you are actually more in control of your mind & body during hypnosis than at any other time because your attention is focused. Clinical hypnosis is very different from stage hypnosis, so you will not be asked to do anything that is foolish or useless. It is impossible to get “stuck” in hypnosis. You are awake, aware, and in control the whole time.  Hypnosis requires your consent and rather than someone controlling you, it enables you to feel more in control of your own life. Stage hypnosis is entertainment, where a willing member of the audience volunteers to demonstrate the power of their imagination.

What is the difference between the Conscious and Subconscious Mind?

The Conscious part of our mind deals with reasoning, calculating, analyzing and remembering what we need to get through the day. The Subconscious houses all of our permanent memories, creativity, belief systems perceptions and programmed habits and behaviour. Hypnotherapy can bring the Subconscious back in harmony with the Conscious, so our experience reflects what we want, not what we are conditioned to accept.

Who Can Be Hypnotised?

Anyone who can follow simple instructions can be hypnotised if they choose be.  Hypnosis cannot be done against a person’s will, and is safe and effective for adults, teenagers and children. Studies conducted at Stanford University have shown that intelligence is not an important factor in determining an individual’s ability to respond favourably to hypnosis; although statistically there is some evidence to indicate that persons with higher intelligence and greater creative abilities tend to be somewhat more responsive to suggestion. In fact the ability to be hypnotised is often a learned trait. You can teach your body and mind to go into trance, and get better and better at it as you practice self – hypnosis. All hypnosis is self – hypnosis.

Why Should I choose Hypnotherapy Now?

Hypnotherapy is a tool that can help you, just like it has helped millions of other people, to take back control of their lives. Hypnosis is an extremely efficient, scientifically proven, state of mind often referred to by artists and athletes as ‘the zone’. The naturally relaxed state of hypnosis allows individuals to make rapid enhancements to their lives through a process of learning appropriate new beliefs, breaking unwanted habits, changing negative behaviour patterns, overcoming learned limitations and removing the root cause of your symptoms.

Why choose a CHPA Therapist?

We are the largest Hypnotherapy Association in Ireland, and a respected member of the  European Association for Hypno Psychotherapy (EAHP). Each of our Therapists is fully qualified from an Accredited Institute, bound by our Professional Code of Conduct and Ethics, and committed to Continuing Professional Development and Supervision.

Now you know how hypnotherapy can help you and it is a safe, effective modality, you can  make contact with a qualified, professional and registered therapist by clicking here.

What qualifications and experience should hypnotherapists have?

There are currently no laws in Europe about the training and registration of hypnotherapists. However, when you undergo therapy to facilitate change, it is reassuring to know that all CHPA therapists work to high levels of best practice.  We have a comprehensive list of eligibility requirements and a strict code of ethics which also requires our therapists to undergo supervision and continuing professional development (CPD).

© 2018 CHPA. All Rights Reserved.”

Can anyone be hypnotised?

Yes, if you can daydream, and we all do, you can be hypnotised – if you want it, and allow it. Daydreaming is a form of self-hypnosis.

What does hypnosis feel like?

As with meditation, usually a feeling of serenity and wellbeing accompanies hypnosis, like a relaxed state of calm awareness. You are not asleep, although when in deep trance you may feel as though you are in a dreamlike place because your attention is so focused on your questions, your potential answers, your story. It is very like that feeling you get just before dropping off  to sleep, or the moment you awake.

Will I be controlled to do things I don’t usually do, like you see on TV?

NO. Firstly, if any suggestions were made to you in hypnosis which were against your morals, ethics, beliefs, upbringing, culture, ethos, you would simply reject them. During a session, you can at any time open your eyes, although usually you feel so deeply involved you choose to keep them closed.  

It is impossible to get you to do something against your will. You control your own mind.

Secondly, we follow a strict Code of Conduct and treat our clients with utmost respect and consideration.

What about TV and stage hypnosis?

On TV they are actors and by its nature everything is exaggerated. It is designed to appear mystical to hold our attention and fascinate us.

On stage, the participants have a desire to have fun and excitement and show off to their companions. They volunteer to perform, and as with any make-believe, they fully expect to act about for the amusement of the audience. The hypnosis merely relaxes them enough to release their inhibitions and perform, like actors, in public.

After hypnosis, do I forget or remember what was said?

Because during hypnosis you were in a state of focused attention, when you emerge after a session, you should expect to remember as much as you would after emerging from a daydream, or after watching an interesting movie. Usually, you remember more deeper meanings later, oftentimes when triggered or when in relaxed mode.

Do I remain hypnotised after a session?

At the end of a session, you are guided back to the here and now, alert in the present moment. However, you usually maintain some of the after glow of the relaxation. And because each session is uniquely tailored to you, the changes instigated in hypnosis are designed to continue after the session and help you create those changes that empower you.

Does hypnosis work better for more or less-educated people?

Actually, hypnosis works best for the more creative people with active alert open minds and powers of concentration, imagination and willingness to learn something new.

If someone doesn’t become hypnotised during a session, it is because they choose to refuse to let it happen. Usually it is because they are not fully engaging in the process. This may be because they are not yet ready, or they may hold a stronger fear of change than they thought, or they lack some understanding.

With hypnosis, are there harmful after affects?

Thankfully, unlike some medications, there are none on record.

Mostly the after-affects are feelings of more positivity, more confidence in self, more calmness, more energy, more inspiration, more you.

What type of therapy does Anna Casey, practice?

Anna Casey is an accredited, certified Personal & Executive Development Coach, Therapist and Trainer who specialises in utilising the latest coaching and psychotherapeutic tools, techniques and approaches. She has many qualifications, certificates, diplomas and degrees to demonstrate her belief in life-long learning when it comes to maintaining a healthy mind.

Anna’s approach is holistic and includes

HT (Havening Techniques / Amygdala Depotentiation)

Mindfulness

Coaching (Personal & Executive)

NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming)

Hypnotherapy (Clinical)

Psychotherapy

EFT (Emotional Freedom Therapy / Tapping)

Emotrance

See also the ‘About’ tab.

Anna’s goal is to listen to you, to truly hear and understand to the best of her abilities, what you are actually about, where you are now at, where you really want to be  –

And to help you to expand your perspectives so you can create those changes you want in your life now.