Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is a type of ‘talking therapy’, that combines the use of psychotherapy with hypnosis.
Hypnosis is a naturally occurring state that we all experience at various times and in various depths throughout the day, when watching TV for instance, driving, running etc., we do it all the time. The experience of hypnosis has been described in many ways but is often explained as a streamlined state of focused attention. Many people describe hypnosis as feeling similar to daydreaming, when they are neither fully alert, nor asleep. Everyone’s experiences and descriptions of hypnosis vary because all trance states feel different to different people. Hypnosis is usually associated with a pleasant feeling of deep relaxation and this is part of the therapy.
I use a combination of hypnosis and talking therapy to bring about changes in my client’s thoughts, feelings and behaviours at a deeper than conscious level; the subconscious level, where we automatically respond. The beliefs we all hold about ourselves (positive or negative) are stored within our subconscious mind, as are many of our behaviours, patterns and habits. These behaviours can be protective and useful, but where they are unhelpful, you might want to change deep-rooted, automatic responses and where you cannot access these alone.
During hypnosis, insight can be gained through a new perspective and adjustments can be made to limiting beliefs that have influenced or directed your life, sometimes resulting in radical change or gentle differences that increase positively over time.
Therapeutic techniques applied during Solution Focused Hypnotherapy are usually quicker than the traditional forms of psychotherapy or counselling due to accessing the subconscious, consequently hypnotherapy is becoming increasingly popular.
Hypnosis or ‘trance’ is a very natural, relaxing state, encouraged by using guided relaxation, where the mind can relax and then focus on thoughts and suggestions that might be useful. As a modern psychotherapeutic approach, Solution Focused Hypnotherapy uses practical, structured, and well-researched strategies based mainly on neuroscience, to help you make significant, positive changes in your life, and in a relatively short period of time.
Crucially, in Solution Focused Hypnotherapy, we look at what you want to achieve (the solution) rather than at what has prompted you to seek help (the problem).