What is Hypnosis?
We all have a conscious mind and an unconscious, or sub-conscious, mind. The conscious part of our brain reveals itself to us as our normal state of awareness - our thinking, logical, analytical side. The unconscious part stores our emotions, dreams, memories, imagination and creativity. On a physiological level, our very existence is maintained by unconscious mechanisms such as breathing, digestive processes, tissue repair etc. In short, our unconscious mind serves to protect our well-being on both a physical and mental level.
At times we may wrestle with problems using all our conscious resources and yet find ourselves unable to reach a satisfactory answer. However, if we 'sleep on it', invariably a solution or a course of action presents itself in the morning. This demonstrates very well that once the conscious mind is allowed to rest and the unconscious mind is given the opportunity to process or retrieve information, the brain can really get to work in a positive way.
The aim in hypnosis is simply to relax part of our conscious activity and to gain access to the deeper recesses of our unconscious mind. The process is at all times completely natural and safe. Whether we realise it or not, we all effortlessly drift in and out of altered states of consciousness everyday. In the consulting room, the unconscious mind cannot, and will not, be led anywhere it does not wish to go and will accept only thoughts and ideas which it knows to be of real benefit to the individual. In other words, nobody can ever be hypnotised against their will and, even when hypnotised, a suggestion will be automatically rejected if, for whatever reason, it is inappropriate. Contrary to popular myth, the client is at all times aware and in complete control. The therapist acts merely as a facilitator.
Whether the issue concerned is reaching for a goal, breaking an unwanted habit or overcoming a fear, we all have the necessary resources to effect that change.
