Frequently Asked Questions About Hypnotherapy and CBT

Leeds Hypnotherapy Clinic

Is Hypnosis Magic?

Hypnosis is not magic. It is a trance state, which has at times has been misunderstood to the extent of being maligned. However, there is nothing supernatural about its practise, despite what some stage hypnotists might have you believe. Clinical hypnotherapy should not be confused with stage hypnotism which at best is entertainment and at worst dangerous. The hypnotic trance is a very deep meditative state.

Will I be under control of the hypnotherapist? Will I lose control and do things I don’t want to?

This is a misconception. You may have heard that stage hypnotists appear to be in control of their audience members. This is not true. The audience member is in full control and is either acting or is a co-operative participant willing to behave as instructed for no better reason than to please or amuse his or her peers.
In a Leeds clinical hypnotherapy room, the patient is always in full control, because the hypnotherapist is allowing the patient to achieve self-hypnosis. The patient cannot be made to do anything by the hypnotherapist that is out of character.

Is Hypnosis dangerous?

Hypnosis is not dangerous when working with a professionally qualified Leeds hypnotherapist. You will always be in full control and will always be brought out of trance fully.

Will I wake up from trance?

Trance is a normal state that you enter several times a day while concentrating or focusing your attention on a particular thing. It is likely that you are unaware of this state. After being in a trance you will always return to a non-trance state. The phrase ‘you will awaken’ is used in hypnotherapy, however, a trance state is not sleep. The trained hypnotherapist in Leeds will always reintegrate you fully with all your faculties intact.

You will leave Leeds Hypnotherapy just as you entered, except for the positive suggestions that the therapist has introduced and-or reinforced.

Can I be hypnotised? Can anybody be hypnotised?

This is an argument which some sceptics will contest. Patients are always in control in the therapy room, so if they wish not to go into trance or they create an unconscious resistance then they will not go into trance. The professionally qualified hypnotherapist in Leeds will take time to ensure that a patient feels fully comfortable and prepared for a trance state. If there are underlying problems such as feeling out of control this will be discussed and treated out of trance so that in later sessions hypnosis will be available to the patient if they so wish.

How can hypnotherapy claim to help with so many conditions?

This is the case because a great many conditions share the same psychological roots.

How will I feel during hypnosis?

Different individuals will always have different experiences of trance state. Even though experiences are different it can be said that it is a most enjoyable. Often patients experience a floating sensation, which sometimes is encouraged by suggestions given by the therapist. Many patients describe it as a euphoric experience–This can also be because they are dealing positively with their condition.

Some patients may experience time distortion where the trance state has only felt like a few minutes, when in fact 60 minutes may have passed. This is usually due to the enjoyment of the experience.
While in hypnosis you may still be aware of everything around you and may even open your eyes, however this will not break the trance.

There is also alert hypnosis when a patient will initially have his or her eyes open

Like many experiences in life there is an uncertainty when first trying something, however, after a few moments of trance state a patient will enjoy the experience. At Leeds Hypnotherapy Clinic the patient is taught self-hypnosis so that they are able to continue to feel the benefits of a trance state and employ strong suggestions throughout their lives.

A patient may only go into a light trance, but this is all that is required for therapy to take place. Others may go into a deep trance state, usually because of feelings of comfort and safety. This often occurs in a second session when the patient knows what to expect from the trance state so thoroughly enjoys it.

How many sessions of hypnotherapy will I need?

This will depend on the individual client and his or her condition. Some hypnotherapy treatments take three to five sessions, each lasting one and a half to two hours. Smoking cessation sessions are a one-off and take about two hours.

I think a lot of so-called alternative therapies are a con. Why would I want to see a hypnotherapist?

First of all, you are right to be wary. There are a lot of charlatans in every walk of life who make bold claims and are only too happy to take your money. Hypnotherapy, though, is a recognised science. Sadly, there remain a few unscrupulous and unqualified practitioners, however, legislation is being drawn up to allow only suitably qualified professionals to practise. In the meantime, I would recommend anyone seeking the help of a hypnotherapist to consult a member of the British Society of Clincal Hypnosis. (BSCH).

For the record, every practitioner at Leeds Hynotherapy Clinic is professionally qualified. I have a BSc degree in psychology (University of Leeds) as well as the diploma in clinical hypnosis and practitioner diploma in cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy (London College of Clinical Hypnosis) (LCCH). I am also a full member of the BSCH.

Is it true that the mind plays tricks on us?

It is true but it is often for our own good, a defence mechanism, if you like. Here is an example that might help explain. Most able-bodied people would be able to walk the length of a six-inch wide plank of wood if it were laid flat on the ground. Elevate the plank, let’s say, 20ft above the ground, secured and spanning two points and a lot of us are going to be scared to walk the same length. Our fear comes despite the fact that the wood’s dimensions remain the same and so, logically, there is no reason why we should fall off just because it has been placed higher. The mind thinks differently, though, and tries to dissuade us from taking an unnecessary risk. Some people, though, would be able to overcome the fear, conditioning their mind into accepting the fact that they can easily perform such a task. Some people’s minds are conditioned like this from an early age. The son of a scaffolder, for example, or a tight-rope walker may have no fear of heights. Their unconscious has absorbed the self-belief. A hypnotherapist can persuade the more wary person to think likewise if he or she so wishes. It follows then that a patient can be treated for a fear of heights if that is deemed necessary.

Could you hypnotise anyone to be scared of nothing, then?

It’s important to remember that the hypnotherapist cannot persuade anyone to follow a path they don’t desire. It may, of course, be that a client does wish to be scared of nothing but it would be unethical for a hypnotherapist to allow this as fear is an essential key to survival.

It also demonstrates the need for someone seeking the services of a hypnotherapist to always select a professionally qualified practitioner. I would recommend a BSCH hypnotherapist.

What is a hypnotic trance?

There is nothing to fear. Everybody has experienced a hypnotic trance at some point in his or her life. For example, waking hypnosis may occur naturally when an individual’s attention is fixed on one thing, for example while driving or watching television etc. Daydreaming can also be regarded as a trance state. Other states of hypnosis include a state when one is falling asleep, which is known as the hypnogogic state and during the period of waking up, or hypnopompic state. These are all light trances. There are three depths of trance and a hypnotherapist can take a patient to the deepest, if that patient so wishes.

What is Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy?
At Leeds Hypnotherapy Clinic we offer cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy (CBH) with principles of rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT).
We follow the treatment pioneered by leading American psychotherapist Albert Ellis who devised the ABC model designed to help the patient gain emotional responsibility.

CBH involves giving the patient an intellectual insight of their beliefs and integrates this gained knowledge into emotional insight through the aid of hypnosis

Can my hypnotherapy session be done on Skype or FaceTime?

Yes, as well as treatment at Leeds Hypnotherapy Clinic we offer sessions by Skype or Facetime. These internet sessions are designed, in particular, for clients who otherwise might find it difficult to attend a session in person.