CONNECTIONS to HEALTH

HYPNOANALYSIS AND HYPNOTHERAPY Anna Felthouse Dhyp, MIAH (Member of the International Association of Hypnoanalysts) Do you know, you would be really surprised by the reaction I get from some people when I tell them that I am a Hypnotherapist. Most peoples' ideas come from, either stage shows or something that they have seen on the television, and, unfortunately, both these mediums have given hypnotism a very bad name. You would be amazed at the number of people who have said to me "you're not going to make me bark like a dog are you?" or I'm not going to look you in the eye in case you put me under. Why they think I have a particular fondness for dogs or what it is I'm supposed to put them under, I'm not sure. What is Hypnosis? What hypnosis actually is, is a very effective way of helping people with all sorts of problems without the need for drugs or months or possibly even years of psychoanalysis. The word trance is sometimes used to describe the state of hypnosis. This is nothing to be afraid of, the same state of trance, or focused attention, happens when, say, you are watching a film at the cinema and you block out the rustle of the sweet wrappers and any movement around you and concentrate on the film, or when you are engrossed in a book and are seemingly oblivious to the world around you. Daydreaming is also a form of trance if you think about it. How many of you, I wonder have driven along a familiar road, possibly the route you take home every evening and you have suddenly realised that you've arrived at your destination but can't remember the journey. You've driven quite safely and done everything right, stopped at red lights etc., but all without consciously thinking about it. Being in hypnosis is exactly the same, you are conscious of one train of thought, listening to the voice of the therapist, but all the time you still know what is going around on all around you but your awareness of these things is somehow slightly distant or removed as you concentrate of the what the therapist is saying to you. A higher profile In the past few years hypnosis has become far more widely known and brought to the attention of a much larger audience especially by professionals such as Paul McKenna and although hypnosis has been used to help people for centuries only recently is it becoming far more widely understood by a much larger number of people. With the increase in interest in complimentary therapies and with the increase in places such as the Ishta Centre there has been a rise in the number of people who are now prepared to try something different to the usual and are seeking alternatives to conventional medicine.  Along with these complimentary treatments hypnosis has become generally better known as a highly successful way of relieving a vast number of problems. What's it used for? Hypnosis has been around since the time of the Egyptians and has been used for a very long time as a tool for helping people with psychological problems, for performing painless operations and, of course, for entertainment. Hypnosis can be used to help people with all sorts of problems and these can be as diverse as nail biting, pre-test nerves, difficulty relaxing, anxiety, confidence boosting and, of course, smoking and weight loss. Hypnosis is also very successful in helping in sport. By helping the sportsperson to visualise their success or to concentrate on a particular problem and then resolve it under hypnosis this can help to remove all sorts of obstacles in training or on the sports field. It has proved very successful with golfers in helping them to improve their game. The list is virtually endless. Members of the International Association of Hypnoanalysts also have a very good success rate with getting people to stop smoking in just one session. What happens? What happens when you come to see a Hypnotherapist? -- Well, usually, and certainly with me, the first consultation is free and during this time we have a chat and we can discuss what problems you need help with, or it maybe that you just want to come for help to relax but, by the end of this consultation we would know whether your problem can be treated by suggestion therapy or whether it requires hypnoanalysis and we could, between us, agree a course of action. There is no watching swinging, no waving of hands and certainly no "staring you out". Each session runs for between 45 and 60 minutes. One thing I must stress is that all my clients' notes and details are completely confidential. No IAH trained therapist will discuss a client's details with anyone else and you can be absolutely certain that no-one will ever know that you have even visited a Hypnoanalyst unless you choose to tell them. I consider this to be a very important part of my work and know that you have to feel completely at ease and confident in your therapist. To find out more visit www.succesfulhypnotherapy.com or pop into the Ishta Centre for some information. Symptoms and problems that can be helped include: Skin Disorders Sexual Problems Anorexia Bulimia Lack of confidence Stammers Fetishes Post Traumatic stress Shyness Compulsions Blushing Anger Colitis Bed Wetting in Children Shy Bladder Hypertension Insomnia Hypnosis for Childbirth Asthma Allergies Frigidity Tinnitus Sweating Nightmares Slimming " Chronic Fatigue Chronic Pain Poor Self Image Smoking Cessation Social Fears Premature Ejaculation Fear of Intimacy Childhood Trauma Assault Migraines Fears Grief Panic Guilt Depression Phobias Addictions such as gambling Thumb Sucking Anxiety Stress Teeth Grinding (Bruxism) Hypnosis for Weight Loss Social Anxiety / Fear of being on the Spot

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