Choose Who You Want To Be

Clinical hypnotherapy is the use of clinical hypnosis to address presenting issues and problems, in a therapeutic setting at the unconscious level. 

Hypnosis itself is referred to as an “absorbed or inward, directed attention state”, or a state that appears more “trance-like”. A trance-like state can also mean “open eye trance”, like when you are driving and dancing, and you aren’t consciously thinking about it. Thus, you actually go naturally in and out of trance so many times in a day. You just don’t notice! Therefore, this idea that hypnosis is a zombie-like trance state (that may be portrayed on stage or in movies), is a myth.

Clinical hypnosis has also been likened to a state of “heightened awareness”. As well as can also mean an “increased susceptibility to suggestion”, where people are more willing to entertain new options/possibilities, and less attached to their own position.

Ultimately at The Inward Process, hypnosis is used as a vehicle/tool for delivering strategic psychotherapy/coaching (if you choose) that are tailored to your individual needs and desired goals.

In clinical hypnosis, the conscious mind if you will (the part of the mind that is responsible for thinking, analysing, and interpreting) takes more of a back seat, and it allows us to tap more directly to the unconscious mind (or the unconscious). By being able to bypass the critical, conscious mind and leveraging strategic psychotherapy/coaching in the process, it allows for a tailored therapeutic experience, that facilitates significant and lasting shifts in behaviour and thought processes. In quite often a relatively short period of time.

To explain further, there are certain patterns/processes, such as in procrastination, or a dependency for example, where the frontal lobe – the logical part of you that is responsible for thinking, analysing and interpreting things, already knows that you should stop the bad habit/dependency. Yet, in the end, you still end up turning, and doing the bad habit/dependency. Why? Because this is an unconscious pattern driven by emotion, not logic (read this sentence again). This is why strategic hypnosis is so effective, whilst traditional, dialectic, or conscious talk therapies have limited success in comparison. When you combine these approaches, which we offer, you get far better, effective outcomes as a result.

Everyone’s experience will be slightly different, and how effective hypnosis is, will largely come down to how open you are to the experience, what your expectations and beliefs of hypnosis are, how quickly you can take onboard/take action, and the skill level of the clinical hypnotherapist contributes.

What my clients and others say commonly, is that hypnosis is like the feeling of being relaxed – both mentally and physically. When in trance, it can be characterised by increased focus and concentration. Some have even likened it to “daydreaming”, or an altered state of consciousness. You aren’t actually quite asleep or unconscious when you are in “trance”. Some clients hear every single word, others kind of fade in and out of consciousness. You still remain aware of your surroundings, and you will be able to recall the experience afterwards. In short, hypnosis will likely be one of relaxation, though it will be unique to you.

Ultimately, there are so many unique experiences of hypnosis that it is challenging to exactly write a well-defined description of what hypnosis is like, but this is the general consensus. For anyone who says hypnosis is also the exact same for everyone, that is also a myth, because it ignores the individual variability and experiences of that person.

No, a person under hypnosis cannot be forced to do something against their will or against their moral or ethical beliefs. While in a hypnotic state, individuals are still in control of their actions and decisions. Always. The role of hypnosis is to facilitate positive changes aligned with the individual’s own goals.

Hypnosis is simply a tool, a fascinating and complex tool to me, and requires voluntary participation. Thus, you remain in control and can choose to come in and out of hypnosis at any time.

Hypnosis can be used for a whole host of reasons, including, and not limited for strategic coaching and psychotherapy purposes. Here are some of the lists that we offer at The Inward Process:

Anxiety/stress, Addictions/dependencies, low self-esteem, procrastination, pain management, insomnia, smoking, phobias, improved focus/concentration and more!

The myth that 10% of the population can’t be hypnotised, or “my mind is too strong to be hypnotised” is outdated. Traditional, older forms of hypnotherapy that were scripted, more forceful in their methods that told you what to do, made this so. In modern strategic hypnosis, I do not give you direct advice, only offering suggestions, insights and possibilities that you can cherry pick, deciding whether to take that onboard if it is useful, or you can dismiss it if you choose. It’s all up to you. In truth really, anyone can then be hypnotised, but it requires your active participation and willingness – if you decide. 

I get asked this quite a lot and the short answer is. Yes! But please read on if you wish to have more information and be more informed. Numerous empirical studies, professional association bodies and renowned experts support this. When performed by a trained and qualified professional, hypnosis is absolutely safe, and is a naturally occurring state of mind. It is a non-invasive and drug free method.

Robust, empirical research dating way back, for example (Lynn et al., 1990), demonstrated through a meta-analysis (across 18 studies), that hypnosis was effective in reducing anxiety, and was particularly helpful when combined with other forms of psychological, talk-based therapy interventions. Another recent example, includes a comprehensive meta-analysis (Barnes et al., 2019), suggests hypnotherapy, indicates the effectiveness and benefits of hypnotherapy for addictions/dependencies, including smoking.

In a clinical sense, hypnosis is a tool that focuses on amplifying people’s strengths. The presupposition of hypnosis begins that the client has inward resources, capacities, skills, and abilities that are present but are not yet been utilised, abilities and skills that can be developed over time, and/or can be used in an effective deliberate manner to overcome issues and problems. Again, you cannot be “under the spell” or “mind control” of the clinical hypnotherapist, and you come out of trance at any time, easily and effortlessly.

Dr. David Spiegel, M.D., Associate Chair of Psychiatry & Behavioural Sciences at Stanford University: “Hypnosis is among the safest treatments we have in the field of psychology and medicine. It empowers patients to manage pain, stress, and anxiety, utilizing the brain’s intrinsic ability to heal and regulate the body.”

Dr. Michael Yapko, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist and renowned Clinical Hypnosis Trainer: “Hypnosis, when practiced by a well-trained, ethical professional, offers a safe, non-invasive, and effective approach to addressing a wide array of clinical issues, firmly grounded in decades of research and clinical application.”

There is an exhausting list of world renowned experts including Dr Jeffrey Zeig, Bill O’Hanlon, Denisa Legac MD, Stephen R. Lankton, MSW, DAHB to name a few that state clinical hypnosis is safe and effective.  

Organisations such as the International Strategic Psychotherapy Association (ISPA) and Hypnotherapy Council of Australia (HCA) and Australian Hypnotherapists Association (AHA), have all established guidelines and ethical standards for the practice of clinical hypnosis, emphasizing the importance of proper training and ethical practice to ensure patient safety.

In the United Kingdom, institutions, and regulatory bodies of the British Society of Clinical Hypnosis (BSCH) and the National Hypnotherapy Society (NHS), similarly provides professional accreditation and setting professional standards/guidelines.

Yes, strategic hypnotherapy can be highly effective in alleviating anxiety and stress. By addressing the root causes of these issues at the subconscious level, hypnotherapy can help individuals develop healthier coping mechanisms and experience a greater sense of calm and control.