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Counseling, Psychotherapy and Hypnotherapy [Back]
PhysioSW19 offers the services of a professional clinical psychologist and BSECH registered hypnotherapist. People consult a psychologist with a variety of concerns, the most common of these being stress, depression, anxiety, and relationship difficulties. A clinical psychologist can also deal with psychopathology, but since ALL people experience psychological discomfort on a near daily basis, psychotherapy offers much more.
While Counseling offers advice, clarity in making decisions, and reflections on “who” you are, Psychotherapy develops your psychological potential and helps to change unhelpful structures underlying your personality. And it is not just talk – indirect therapy is explorative and creative and lets you discover new aspects of yourself!
Think hypnosis, and you probably think Max the Magician? Clinical hypnotherapy couldn’t be more different, and hypnotherapists with professional medical training mostly oppose the use of hypnosis for public entertainment. Hypnosis refers to the ability our brains have to experience a hypnotic trance. Most people could describe experiencing trance as being awake while you are ‘asleep’; very much like that getting-lost-in-a-book feeling. In neurological terms your brain processes information on a deeper level when in a trance, and when this is applied therapeutically it has remarkable results.
Psychotherapy and hypnotherapy offer:
- Relief from stress, anxiety and depression
- Individual or Group therapy
- Couple, child, teen and family therapy
- Treatment of phobias
- Help in quitting smoking, over-eating and other concerns like bed-wetting
- Stress-related medical concerns like migraine
- Performance enhancement, whether in the boardroom or on the golf course
- Personal development. Streamline your mental shape!
Knowing that you can be happier is already a sign of mental competence. So use your mind, have the edge!
Information on Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy
What is Hypnosis?
A hypnotic trance is an everyday human phenomenon. Our brains have the capacity to produce different states of consciousness, like being awake, asleep, or unconscious, or being in a hypnotic trance. Therefore, an hypnotic trance is a unique state of mind different from being awake or being asleep, but in some aspects similar. It is definitely not similar to being unconscious – in fact, you are more aware of certain things and most people remember everything that happened while they were in trance.
Most people go into a hypnotic trance easily – you must be familiar with that ‘getting lost in a book’-feeling, or maybe a floating feeling before you fall asleep. These are all hypnotic phenomena, and it occurs naturally every day. It allows our brains to relax, to sort out problems in a different way, etc. It is a popular expression to refer to someone as being ‘on a different brainwave’ – this could well apply to our lay experience of an hypnotic state.
What is hypnotherapy?
This is when you use hypnotic trance to achieve psychotherapeutic goals. It is made possible by a special neurological ‘mode’ of your brain: your perceptions, emotions and personality become more open to suggestion and change when experiencing hypnotic trance.
So is it safe?
Yes, because it is a natural phenomenon, and yes, if it is done by a qualified practitioner. People often ask this question, as stage hypnotists create such a false image of hypnosis as a whole. There is a vast difference between hypnotism and hypnotherapy: the former is used entertainment, and in my view, unethical and damaging. Hypnotherapists abide to a strict code of conduct, as prescribed by the society we belong to. This code definitely excludes using people for entertainment, or any other cause but the promotion of their own wellbeing. For this reason it is vital to choose a hypnotherapist who is recognized by a society which registers health care professionals.
How does Hypnotherapy work?
When in trance, your brain functions in a different way. It uses different pathways to solve problems, is more open to positive suggestions, and in general, very creative. As your brain produces endorphins when in trance, the connection between mind and body opens, allowing the therapist to influence physical processes by encouraging the patient to use his/her mind. In this way, control of pain and psychosomatic diseases can be achieved. The release of endorphins will in all likelihood leave you feeling refreshed when coming out of trance. It is similar to the feeling of wellbeing you experience when having done some physical exercise.
Also, when in a trance the opportunity to experience things in a different light and in a relaxed state. You might feel as if you have become a bit distanced from immediate reality, and this will enable you to look at your problem from a new perspective. In this fashion, you will find that your mind loosens its grip on time, and you will therefore be able to re-experience things from the past – and changing your perceptions of it for the better.
While a person is in trance, the therapist also has the opportunity to speak to the so-called ‘unconscious mind’ – the part of our thoughts and feelings we tend to repress, as it is too painful or causes us too much anxiety to experience consciously. Often, problems originate in this sphere of the mind, and to treat the problem where it originated, is very effective.
This primitive part of your brain is really powerful: it controls our emotions, urges, basic needs and motivation. It is the part that makes us run really fast when running from danger, without even thinking, that makes us cry without knowing why, but also the part that lets us fall in love with certain people and let some tribes walk across glowing charcoal without feeling a thing. The latter is an example of hypnotic trance, and using this in a therapeutic way, brings about extraordinary positive results. In the 1800’s, a Scottish surgeon used hypnotic trance to do more than 250 operations without anaesthesia, and patients experienced no pain! Today we may use this faculty of the mind to control fear, motivate ourselves, and get rid of nasty habits and health problems.
What to expect from therapy sessions
After getting to know you, I will take off a history of the problem. I may also do an assessment in the form of a projective test. The latter is to a psychologist like an X-ray is to a doctor: it gives me an idea how your personality works, so we may understand the dynamics of your problem better. We may then discuss how we will go about treating the problem. Because I am also a psychologist, I may use - , or combine hypnotherapy with therapies from other psychological frameworks to assist you.
If Hypnotherapy is indicated for the problem you want to solve, I will tell you all you want to know about hypnotherapy. If time allows in the first session I will guide you how to experience a hypnotic trance. This I do by making use of various methods, like imagery or relaxation. Different methods work for different people, and we will soon discover what is best for you. I will encourage you to practice at home, as it gets easier every time, as your brain develops the capacity to go into trance. From here, I formulate a treatment plan, which will commence at the next session.
So how long will it take?
This depends on your unique psychological profile, as well as on how responsive and adaptable your current life circumstances are. It also depends on what you want to achieve: for some, therapy is a journey, and for others it might bring relief after the first hypnotherapy session. However, I like to summarize after the first six sessions of therapy – either to conclude the current series of therapy, or to decide on new therapeutic goals.
Further info
I have a user-friendly book available – please ask. The book will also inform you about the different uses of Hypnotherapy. You may also check the Internet: www.sasch.co.za, www.bsech.co.uk
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Physiotherapy offers you treatment for: