Indirect Ericksonian Hypnotherapy is a more recent and subtle development in the field of hypnotherapy and bears little resemblance to the old controlling authoritarian style witnessed in films and books. It is a highly effective therapy where clients are supported and empowered to bring about the fundamental changes they wish to make in their lives in a gentle, powerful yet non-confrontational way.

What can it help?

Hypnotherapy is often, but not always, solution focussed and can be used for many specific known issues such as addictions, phobias, anxiety, depression, stress and confidence related problems and many others.

What is a hypnotic trance?

The hypnotic trance induced is simply a relaxed day dreamlike state we all go in and out of naturally on a daily basis. In a session this state is cultivated and developed by the therapist so that the client can access deeper parts of themselves where often the key to emotional and behavioural changes can be found. With the assistance of the therapist, it becomes possible for the client to reprogramme this deeper unconscious part, so that unwanted habits and ways of being that have become problematic can be changed, or rooted out and replaced with more healthy effective ways of being and functioning in the world. Suggestions made by the therapist are often like containers for the client to fill with what they feel is appropriate for them. At no point is the client out of control and the approach is always gentle, supportive, flexible and respectful, acknowledging the individuality of each person’s life and needs.

How many sessions will I need?

Sometimes there can be significant changes after one session, but usually several are needed to reinforce ideas, and also to give changes made in the unconscious time to percolate through to the conscious mind. These can happen subtly over a period of time, in the same way that we are intially unaware of our hair growing or our height or weight increasing. Often with hypnotherapy only sometime later does the client realise she or he has fundamentally changed in some way, and with the change has become a different, more integrated person.

What part does the client play in this?

Hypnotherapy is a joint venture and requires intention and commitment from both client and therapist. If a client does not actively participate in the process, then probably very little will happen. The therapist may well ask the client to undertake some task or homework between the sessions, or maybe to reinforce things by listening regularly to an appropriate hypnosis recording he has made.