Some people are surprised to learn that hypnosis is a natural state with which we are all familiar. If you can remember how it feels when you daydream, then you’ll have some idea of what it’s like to enter hypnosis. If you’ve ever been so engrossed in a book you were reading that you didn’t even notice somebody else had entered the room, well that’s it too.

Consider then, that these situations involve a state of concentration and focus which is so deep that it is, for that moment, total. Concentration and focus is, for that moment, to the exclusion of all else. But note, also, that control is always retained. You could “snap out of it” at any moment you chose. Hypnosis is exactly the same.

It is this state which is so valuable as a therapeutic tool since it provides an unequalled focus of mind which can be used to communicate new ideas, perspectives, and understanding to a person at a deeper level than is possible under ordinary conditions...... to the subconscious mind. Hypnosis, used alone, is not strictly speaking a therapy. It is when hypnosis is used in conjunction with psychotherapeutic techniques that we discover its true beauty. This is hypnotherapy.

Ordinarily, the critical part of the mind will obstruct new ideas or perspectives as a matter of course. This is why change is usually difficult. Hypnosis allows us to bypass this critical function in order that we can communicate newer, more productive wishes and strategies to the subconscious mind. These instructions are relayed to the subconscious mind using powerful, positively phrased suggestions, active imagination, metaphor, and various other modern therapeutic techniques to help with re-programming limiting and obstructive beliefs.

It is important to note, that the subconscious mind is very protective and will always reject any unacceptable hypnotic suggestions. Despite the existing urban myths and misconceptions, nobody is ever made to do, think, or believe something they don’t want to. (See Stage Hypnotist). Hypnotherapy gains its effectiveness by demonstrating (“Here, let me show you how it could be”) to the subconscious mind that there is a better way to operate within a given situation which will provide a better outcome for the organism. Suggestions of any kind simply won’t be effective at all unless there is emotion and agreement at a conscious level.  

 A properly trained hypnotherapist can help just about anyone to enter the state of hypnosis quite easily. When a person is in a hypnotised state, they will usually experience decreased inhibitions, increased relaxation, improved memory recall, and much greater concentration and focus. Most people agree that the state of hypnosis is very pleasant. Some people are positively enthused! Once discovered, hypnosis can become a valuable tool for life, and therapy will include learning self-hypnosis where appropriate. It’s worth mentioning as well, that all hypnosis is self-hypnosis. The therapist acts only as a facilitator. The resulting state is 100% self- created, self-controlled, completely natural; and safe.