WHAT HYPNOTHERAPY IS AND IS NOT
* Hypnosis was used for therapeutic purposes probably by the Ancient Greeks and the Druids. Modern hypnotherapy was developed by Western medical doctors from the 18th Century (Anton Mesmer, James Braid). Hypnotherapy was researched and practiced clinically by other prominent MDs like Surgeon John Elliotson of University College, London, from the 19th C. and was recognised by the British Medical Association in 1953, the American Medical Association in 1956 and the American Psychiatric Association in 1962. It is still the subject of incessant scientific and medical research and a cover story in the New Scientist on October 10, 2009, entitled "Strange Journeys of the Mind. New Adventures in Consciousness" reveal that scientists are still baffled by the mystery and, yet, the enormous power of hypnosis.
* Hypnosis is not in any way to be confused with stage hypnosis and fiction found in the media, especially in movies, on TV and in books, which have hammered into people's minds false notions of hypnosis, especially the wrong belief that people can be completely overwhelmed and controlled through hypnosis and made to do things against their will. In stage hypnosis, volunteers are willing, for fun, to submit to the will of the hypnotist, but in normal day to day life, no hypnotist can hypnotise anyone against his or her will and make him or her do things he/she doesn't want to do. Actually, the hypnotherapist empowers you to search your otherwise unreachable unconscious mind to overcome mental and physical distress and various severe health problems.
* Clinical hypnotherapy is practised by qualified professionals who are trained to target conditions that can be cured or relieved by the use of hypnosis, which can be defined as a state of extreme relaxation into which patients are led, by making use the incredible powers of their minds, to achieve relief and cure from an impressive range of health conditions.
* A word of caution, though, from our practice: you will be advised to seek medical treatment and, if you wish, to explore other appropriate alternative therapies (as listed by the NHS for public information on its website) if your condition cannot be addressed by hypnotherapy.
* Stress and other pressures coming from the deep recesses of our unconscious mind can cause intense psychological and physical distress and be the source of ill-health, which is why an investigation by hypnosis can be extremely useful in an impressive number of cases. You can even learn self-hypnosis at our practice so that you can achieve on your own that great feeling of relaxation and serenity that hypnosis is capable of providing.
