Wirral Life April 2018 | Page 65

W FEATURE L PROFESSIONAL MODERN HYPNOTHERAPY FOR CHANGE AND SUCCESS Modern hypnotherapy is now recognised as an effective way of helping people achieve positive changes in their lives. Whether it’s giving up smoking, losing weight, overcoming a fear or phobia, or even improving performance in sports, people are often surprised at how quickly they can find new ways of thinking and feeling. Sometimes, something that seemed impossible in the past can in fact turn out to be surprisingly easy. Hypnosis has always been a provocative word. Maybe it conjures up the stereotypical image of a Svengali style hypnotist with piercing eyes and a swinging pocket watch? Or perhaps a stage hypnotist getting audience members to do amusing things with a click of his fingers? The truth is, hypnosis when used in a therapeutic context is a million miles away from the way it is usually portrayed in film and television. In order to lift the veil of mystery and clear up some of the most common misconceptions surrounding hypnosis Scott Daly, Hypnotist at Forward Hypnosis answers some of the questions he is frequently asked about his work. So, the big question, what is hypnosis? Hypnosis is a naturally occurring phenomenon. It can enhance the imagination, increase your ability to focus and allows you to turn your attention inwards, blocking out any external distractions. One thing I do know is that everyone is already very familiar with hypnosis whether they realise it or not. If you have ever been driving somewhere and you arrive at your destination and realise that you were on ‘automatic pilot’ and don’t remember parts of the journey, you have experienced a form of hypnosis, or, a natural trance. The same thing can be said of a daydream, or the feeling that you were ‘miles away’. Maybe you have been so engrossed in a great film or book that you ‘zone out’ and really begin to feel emotionally invested in the story or perhaps you have looked in frustration for a pen, keys or your phone only to discover that they were right there on the table in front of you the entire time? These are all great examples of natural trances and there are many more. I think it is fair to say that we all experience hypnosis in some form or other every day of our lives. The only difference between these naturally occurring examples of hypnosis and what I do in the therapy room is that I intentionally induce hypnosis and utilise hypnotic techniques to achieve a specific goal or outcome. How can hypnotherapy help me? Stopping smoking, eliminating fears and phobias and losing weight are the things people most commonly associate with hypnotherapy, but when I talk to my clients or people who have seen my website they are often taken aback by the wide variety of issues hypnosis can help with. From managing chronic pain, reducing anxiety, or resolving any number of undesirable habits such as nail biting or teeth grinding, hypnosis can give you more control and provide new ways of responding to the things that hold you back. It is also an excellent way to get more of the things you do want in life, building confidence or improving performance and gaining an edge in business or sports. What can I expect? When I see my clients for the first time the first part of the session is about working together to define a clear goal. I explain how we can use hypnosis to help them achieve this goal and answer any questions they may have. During the second part of the session I will guide them into hypnosis and utilise various therapeutic techniques tailored to their specific problem or situation. One thing that often surprises people is that there is no such ‘feeling’ as hypnosis, everyone experiences it in their own unique way and it is rarely how they expect it to be. Despite many misconceptions, in hypnosis, you are not ‘asleep’ and you are completely aware of your surroundings and able to hear and remember everything as normal. It is an enjoyable experience and a fantastic opportunity to make positive changes, improve the way you respond and gain a new understanding about the power of your own mind. How many sessions will I need? I specialise in the kind of hypnotherapy that is sometimes described as brief or solution focussed. My approach to change does not involve counselling or analysis, it is more about promoting behavioural change and working with the mental patterns and programmes a person uses in their daily life. Everyone is different but my clients can absolutely expect to benefit from the first session and certain issues such as quitting smoking can often be dealt with in a single session. Follow up sessions are available if there is more work to be done. I see most of my clients for between one to three sessions. Forward Hypnosis is based in Ness, Cheshire. Scott works with people every day to help them overcome their limitations, unlock more of their potential, and achieve their goals. To find out more, visit www.forwardhypnosis.com wirrallife.com 65