Hypnotherapy is therapy whilst under hypnosis. During hypnosis, the client allows themselves to enter a natural, relaxed state, a state which has been used for thousands of years for therapeutic benefit. There is no such thing as a hypnotic state of the kind that you may have seen on television or in films. You cannot be controlled, you are aware of everything. You will feel very pleasantly relaxed, both mentally and physically. You have been in hypnosis many times before. Its that day-dreaming like state, like when you’re between awake and asleep.

Our conscious mind accounts for just 5% of our brain power, it is the thinking, logical and analytical part of the brain. The other 95% is our unconscious mind, a part that we are unaware of. If you want to lift your hand to your mouth, you do not consciously have to think about each muscle you need to use, your unconscious mind does that all for you without need for conscious involvement. The unconscious mind is responsible for telling our bodies what to do and how to react, holds all our memories, emotions and feelings and knows everything about us. It protects you and your body.

During hypnosis, the conscious mind is mentally relaxed using visualisation and relaxation techniques. It is still there, completely aware of everything that is going on, but it is relaxed enough to allow the therapist to communicate directly with your unconscious mind. The mind is then open to positive, mental healing suggestions.