Hypnotherapy treatment explained

At my Cheltenham Hypnotherapy Clinic there are TWO very different and distinct types of hypnotherapy that I use to help clients depending on their individual case.

Hypnotherapy can help in many ways - it can provide a quick 'boost' for your job interview, flight or presentation. Hypnosis is wonderfully relaxing and helps to reduce stress and anxiety regardless of what you are consulting for. In many cases a course of hypnotherapy can be literally life-changing.

These are the two therapies:

Suggestion therapy
This type of 'conventional' hypnotherapy uses positive spoken suggestions to treat minor conditions such as stopping smoking, losing weight, fear of public speaking, fear of flying, driving test nerves and other similar situations, often in one or two sessions.

If hypnotherapy or hypnosis is shown on tv or mentioned in the media, this is usually the type of hypnotherapy that they are referring to. Suggestion Therapy is about relaxing into a very light hypnotic state and mentally rehearsing future situations whilst listending to very positive suggestions from the therapist (e.g. 'you will be amazed to find that you feel incredibly positive and in control during your flight').

Suggestion therapy isn't necessarily life-changing, but sometimes one or two sessions of hypnotherapy is all people want or need - just a little helping hand to get through some short-term problem.

Suggestion therapy can also be used in the treatment of children for problems such as bedwetting, anxiety or school problems.

Suggestion Therapy (clinical hypnosis)
Confidence Fear of flying Presentations and public speaking Relaxation Children's problems	Exam nerves (e.g. driving test) Relaxation Reducing stress Simple weight control Quit smoking

Analytical hypnotherapy ('Pure Hypnoanalysis')
Pure Hypnoanalysis, a special and unique type of talking therapy in which IAPH members are highly trained, is a natural, fast and incredibly effective way of treating the root cause of the client's symptoms.

This type of hypnotherapy IS life-changing, and many people go on to lead much happier lives having gone through therapy. The use of hypnosis dramatically speeds up this type of talking therapy, and dramatic improvements can be seen in less than 10 sessions compared to your average 3 or 4 year course of traditional psychotherapy.

Resolving emotions
Have you ever wondered how you can 'get over' or resolve some experiences in your life but not others? Why is it that somebody can grieve about and 'get over' the death of a loved one in a couple of years and get on with their life, and yet they have had a phobia of dogs for 40 years that stays unresolved? Or panic attacks that last for 12 years? Or they smoke for 30 years? Or they battle with weight for many years?

How come we can resolve some things incredibly quickly, and yet we (all) still have so many symptoms, stresses and anxieties in life?

The answer is all about how we handle emotions...

When we release emotions about something we feel better, relieved, liberated, free again- the pressure goes away, any neurotic or stress-related symptoms that the experience was causing stop. So to continue the example of a death of a loved one, what was ONCE a very emotional experience, becomes less and less painful naturally over time. It isn't the time itself that heals, but releasing all of the emotions, getting it 'out of our system'. This natural process happens when we need to resolve ANY emotional issue - divorce, crash, death, relationships, trauma - anything! Our psyche WANTS those emotions to come out, so we automatically keep being reminded of the experience until eventually over time it has relatively little impact on us and we get on with life.

So when people have symptoms that have lasted a long time, it is because there are some 'bottled up emotions' deep down that are driving their symptoms, and these emotions (because they are hidden away) are causing lots and lots of internal pressure/stress in their mind.

Some benefits of going through a course of therapy (pure hypnoanalysis)
Leaving therapy with a greater self image - a more positive view of yourself Feeling generally happier, calmer, more fulfilled, more 'balanced' By resolving some of your past experiences, you will become more resilient psychologically - more able to handle stress in the future no matter what life throws at you	Understanding yourself and what makes you 'tick' Re-living and resolving some of your past experiences leaves you with less 'baggage' Feeling more confident, more able to deal with life Feeling less agitated by normal everyday stresses Ideal gentle treatment for anxieties, stress, phobias, depression, neurotic symptoms

Pure hypnoanalysis does something that most therapies don't - the therapy allows those bottled up emotions to surface and disappear completely in a very safe, non-judged and supportive atmosphere - leaving the client at the end of therapy feeling liberated, more relaxed, having an inner sense of peace and calm, and feeling much happier with themselves.

Wouldn't it be nice to get rid of that internal pressure for the rest of your life?!

Common questions about analytical therapy

How long does therapy take?
The course of therapy lasts between 6-12 sessions.

How long is a session?
Approx 50 minutes (sometimes longer if needed).

Do the sessions have to be weekly?
Yes, the sessions do need to be at approximately weekly intervals. The course of treatment requires consistency and a session at somepoint each week is optimum to keep up the momentum and progression of this therapy. A session every two weeks would be too slow and ultimately end up being far more costly. Interestingly, two sessions a week isn't really any more beneficial either.

What do I need to do in the sessions? How can I get through therapy quickly?
Just be really open and honest. Most of this therapy is about trust and rapport and being able to let go and open up in a very safe and trusting environment.

I've done counselling and/or psychotherapy - is this different?
Yes, this therapy is VERY different. Most clients that come to see me have had some kind of previous therapy elsewhere. This is one of the few therapies that does not rely on therapist insight or intellect - the client is actually able to resolve their own emotional issues using their own NATURAL ABILITY to resolve past experiences (see above).

Do I have to do anything in between the sessions?
No.

Analytical hypnotherapy (hypnoanalysis)
Alcoholism Anger Anorexia Anxieties Anxiety attacks Assault Blushing Bruxism (teeth grinding) Bulimia and binging Childhood trauma e.g. sexual or domestic abuse Chronic fatigue Compulsions Depression Domestic violence Drinking heavily Emetophobia Fear of being sick Fetishes Frigidity Guilt IBS (Irritble Bowel Syndrome) Inhibitions Insomnia or sleep problems Enuresis PE (Premature ejaculation) Lack of confidence	Low self-esteem ME / CFS Migraines Nailbiting Obsessions OCD Panic attacks Paranoia Phobias Poor self image or poor self esteem PTSD Premature ejeculation Self-harm e.g. cutting Self-hatred Sexual abuse Shyness Shy bladder or shy pee Slimming and weight loss Smoking cessation Social Phobia Stuttering and stammering Tension Paruresis; shy bladder Impotence or Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Vaginismus Violence in relationships
Some symptoms and abbreviations explained: Bruxism = teeth grinding especially at night Emetophobia = the fear of being sick; fear of vomiting; vomit phobia Paruresis = shy bladder; shy pee; shy bladder syndrome; bashful bladder Enuresis = bed wetting OCD = Obsessive Compulsive Disorder; Obsessional neurosis IBS = Irritable Bowel Syndrome ED = Erectile Dysfunction, commonly known as impotence PE = Premature ejaculation PTSD = Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ME = Myalgic Encephalopathy (another name for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) CFS = Chronic Fatigue Syndrome PVFS = Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome (another name for CFS)

Anxiety and insomnia "Richard, Thank you very much for your work with me, as you did all the hard work. I'll recommend you to anyone who is looking for hypnotherapy. I enjoyed the sessions and you have a very lovely manner which put me completely at ease with you....I wish you every continued success with your practice, thank you for doing this work and helping me to move forward. I also really appreciate you as a therapist, you are genuine and caring about what you do and that makes all the difference to the therapy experience. With best wishes, take care...." Melanie, July 2007

Anxiety "Richard, I was nervous & felt awkward about my first session, but straight away I realised that you have a genuine care for people & a passion for what you do. I’ve never found it so easy to relax...during the sessions the way you responded to what I was saying made me feel really comfortable & able to completely open up. It’s brilliant how I feel now...Ive been feeling better & better as time is going on...I’m so pleased I plucked up the courage to contact you. Your compassion & sincerity made it so easy. I just can’t find the words to thank you enough...It's like a huge wave of calm has engulfed me, and it's brilliant!! Thank you so much for your help, time & patience." Nikki, 2007

Depression "Richard, just wanted to thank you for all the help you have given me. I came to you a couple of months ago after looking for help for depression...my self confidence was at rock bottom. After every session, I felt incredibly relaxed and calm, and as the weeks passed, I saw things with a lot more clarity, almost as it a fog had lifted...I feel like I am getting back to myself again. My family and friends have noticed how happier I am. I can't believe how positive the treatment has been, if you'd have told me at our first meeting that 8 weeks on I'd be better, I wouldn't have believed you, but I am living proof that hypnotherapy can help for depression, anxiety, and self confidence. I really can't thank you enough for what you have done for me..." Client e-mail