FAQ

Hypnosis is a state of relaxation and concentration at one with a state of heightened awareness induced by suggestion.  It is a consent state which the subject must allow themselves to enter, during which there is an altered state of conscious awareness (indeed a high degree of focused attention) and heightened suggestibility. During hypnosis the mind relaxes, lowers its guard by minimising interference from the critical, judgmental, conscious mind and the hypnotherapist is able to communicate directly with the subconscious mind. As it is the subconscious mind that controls our habits, hypnosis is often very successful in habit modification.

HYPNOTHERAPY is utilising this natural state of mind in a therapeutic way, to affect the desired changes in thought patterns of an individual.

No, (except those who are mentally defective or under the influence of drugs etc). Although of course the degree of consent varies from one person to another.

Nearly everybody can be helped to fall into a hypnotic trance state. In fact we all pass through a state very similar to trance when we fall asleep or wake up ( a twilight state). When we get involved reading a book or watching a film and don't hear someone call our name, we are in a trance state.   When we drive a car and can't remember the journey upon arrival, we have been in a trance state (or daydream) but we are perfectly able to move, make decisions and respond to emergency situations.

The ability to be hypnotised lies within an individual, and this ability has nothing to do with will power or lack of will power. With very few exceptions no-one can be hypnotised against their will, they must co-operate.

Our stories and meditations for children have many benefits.  Not only can they be used as a meditative, relaxing tool, in this fast-paced over-stimulating world, but it can help children to sleep peacefully AND target a specific issue that they wish to change.

Children are excellent candidates for hypnotherapy as they are so naturally open to suggestion and simplistic in their views.  This is a great time to address issues before they become ingrained in adulthood, giving them positive habits and creating coping mechanisms to help themselves as they mature.

No.  As above, hypnosis is a consent state, so that any changes suggested in a hypnotherapy story must be wanted also by the recipient.  Nothing is forced.  All we can do is suggest, and repeat the suggestions frequently, but the individual has ultimate control over whether any changes are acceptable.

No, although as this would be the most effective time to listen (when they are already drowsy and relaxed) and the stories have been designed for bedtime use. The Hypno-Meditations for Teens can be listened to at any safe time, although never while driving, operating machinery etc.

All our recordings are fine to be listened to overnight and while sleeping.  The subconscious part of the brain does not sleep, so the suggestions will still be heard.  Our belief is that it is useful to hear the story or meditation in a waking state at first, so that your conscious mind hears the content and knows it is all agreeable to you, but this is not essential.  Of course, the stories and mediations are designed to be extremely relaxing so dropping off to sleep is a frequent occurrence, so make sure you are listening to them in an appropriate place (not in the car!).

If you find that the Bedtime Story is keeping the child awake, play them the track earlier than their normal bedtime so that the story does not interfere with their normal sleep routine.

These stories are designed to be listened to repeatedly, so at first the child might be intrigued by the story and stay awake to hear the ending.  After a few listens, this tendency should drop off.

No, not unless the child is listening through headphones.  No recordings should be played while anyone in the vicinity is operating a car or any other kind of machinery.

We use a download and streaming partner, Bandcamp, to distribute our recordings.  You can trial a story or meditation three times before you need to purchase it, and they will have all the instructions on how to download the audio track as a file.  You can then transfer the story/meditation to your preferred device in order to to play it.

You can also stream the audio recordings on your phone with Bandcamp's free app.

We recommend playing the files with wifi connection switched off, if possible, and where it cannot start playing the next file.  You don't want any interruptions or to hear anything you hadn't planned.

Some changes, for some people, happen instantly.  For most people it will take many repetitions of the recordings for the suggestions to sink into the subconscious.  The timing will depend on how frequently you listen to the recording, how long the habit or pattern of behaviour has been ingrained, how committed the recipient is to change, and the general suggestibility of the recipient.

Repetition is the key to success!  Consider the audio tracks similar to positive affirmations that are talking directly to the subconscious, and that when you say something to yourself often enough, there is NO way that you can avoid changes eventually.  Just keep the faith that change is possible, and enjoy the journey getting there.

Some people will be aware throughout the hypnotic session, although the experience will vary from person to person.  One of the most frequent responses is the feeling of having fallen asleep.  Another common feeling is—”It couldn't have worked for me—I never went under.” The hypnotised person is often fully aware of everything happening and is able to leave the hypnotic state at any time should he or she so wish.  Either response is fine to have and neither is better in terms of achieving the desired result/change. The subconscious is always listening!

No. In fact you would be shocked out of the hypnotic state immediately any such action was suggested to you.

Not exactly, you are simply extremely relaxed and clients usually return to the present moment as soon as they are asked.

Yes, absolutely. The experience can vary wildly depending on the different techniques, and differing personalities involved.  You will need to find someone you feel confidence in, who you feel safe with and who gives you the service you expect, otherwise your conscious mind will be on the alert, find it difficult to let go and the therapy will be less effective. So don't let one unsuccessful interaction put you off the whole therapy.   You may need a more personalised service for your desired change, so you could try our bespoke, customised meditation service, providing recordings that can be tailored to your personal history, your personal issue and your particular personality.

Listening to recordings at home is one of the most comforting places a person can be, which is why we have found this method to be so effective.

 

It can be.  Some clients experience profound change straight away, however most people will need to repeat the session several times, and especially with ingrained, long-term habits or patterns, may need a face to face programme to really understand the issue first.  You may need a more personalised service for your desired change, so you could try our bespoke, customised meditation service, providing recordings that can be tailored to your personal history, your personal issue and your particular personality.

The key to success is to listen to recordings as frequently as possible, enjoying the regular reminders of positive suggestions, and the regular meditative experience of resting both body and mind deeply. 

If you are open minded and committed to the change you desire, then you will be a good candidate for hypnotherapy.  Even if you are a bit skeptical at first, being consciously aware throughout the sessions is fine, as the suggestions are all positive, for your benefit and simply your own wishes reflected back to you, so there should be nothing that you disagree with.  Once you consciously hear and agree with the conversations, you will become more at ease each time you listen to a recording.

However, there ARE people who are more suggestible than others (or are feeling more open at this moment in time).  You can do a quick test if you wish - clasp your fingers together with your fore fingers raised and apart.  Stare at your fingers, and without trying to move them, repeat out loud "they are coming together".  Watch as your fingers are seemingly drawn to each other.  If you prefer, try "they are moving apart", again without effort on your part.  If your fingers move easily, then you are probably in the 'suggestible' basket. 

In his book, ‘Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis”. Dr. William S. Kroger states, “Platonof, an associate of Pavlov, who used hypnosis over fifty years in over fifty thousand cases, reports as follows; “We have never observed any harmful influences on the patient which could be ascribed to the method of hypno-suggestion therapy, or any tendency toward the development of unstable personality, weakening of the will or pathological urge for hypnosis.”

Pierre Janet, a student of Sigmund Freud who became an ardent practitioner of hypnosis writes, “The only danger in hypnotism is that it is not dangerous enough.”

Psychologist Refeal Rhodes in his book “Therapy Through Hypnosis” writes, “Hypnotism is absolutely safe. There is no known case on record of harmful results from therapeutic use.”

Dr Louie P. Thorpe, Professor Emeritus, University of Southern California, in his book, “The Psychology of Mental Health’, writes, ‘Hypnotism is a natural phenomena, and there are no known deleterious effects from its use.”

There is no cause whatsoever for concern, hypnosis is a proven therapeutic aid. Suggestion under hypnosis is one of nature’s way of healing, which dates back to before the sleep temples of the ancient Egyptians. Treatment can prove not only pleasant but often extremely interesting.