What to expect from a Hypnotherapy session with Fern Warren

Clinical Hypnotherapy is an effective therapeutic approach based in neuroscience, that has gained recognition for its effectiveness in addressing a wide range of physical, mental, emotional, behavioural, and psychological conditions.

Hypnotherapy is beneficial for emotional regulation, grief and loss, anxiety, weight management, smoking cessation, pain relief, fears and phobias, unwanted habits (nail biting, bedwetting, thumb sucking, etc), sleep issues, positive behavioural changes, confidence, motivation, relaxation, improved mental health, enhanced emotional well-being, stress reduction, improved coping skills, enhanced self-esteem, improved relationships, trauma recovery, addiction recovery, coping strategies for life transitions, goal achievement, enhanced quality of life, self-awareness and self-exploration, increased self-worth and self-acceptance.

There are many common misconceptions about hypnotherapy, such as the inaccurate depiction that individuals under hypnosis cannot resist suggestions, or the myth that individuals can be made to, “cluck like a chicken”, however patients retain control at all times, and can resist any or all hypnotic suggestions of their own volition.

Contrary to the misinterpreted belief that hypnosis is a form of, “mind control”, where someone external to you has the ability to control your mind, the reality is that, when a patient is in the relaxed state of hypnosis, the use of meticulously crafted language is simply used to help the patient modulate their own awareness, perceptions and cognition, which supports them to have heightened control over their own mind.  It is mind control in a sense, but in the form of the patient having more control over their own mind.

Hypnotherapy harnesses the neuroplasticity of our neurology and utilises the amazing function of the brain to change and adapt, to interrupt and break old patterns and cycles, which supports our desired behaviour changes in a safe, holistic, and natural way.  By having an intentional focus on physical, mental and emotional wellness, and being armed with effective emotional regulation strategies, patients have the opportunity to engage in healthier ways of managing emotional discomfort and is more able to move forward from old, unhelpful behaviours, undesired habits, unwanted thought patterns, heal from past experiences and unresolved emotional pain, find empowerment, and consciously and subconsciously engage in new ways to establish the rewiring of new, positive neural pathways.

Hypnotherapy is not a substitute for medical treatment, but is a very useful supplement to it.  The mind and the body are interconnected and affect each other; therefore, this holistic approach benefits the whole person in an empowering way.

What you should expect from a hypnotherapy session can vary depending on the patient’s specific goals, the therapist’s tailored approach, and individual preferences.

Sessions include a strong focus on supporting and educating patients to develop their understanding of the way the mind works to support more consciousness of how thought patterns, emotions and core beliefs drive behaviours, and how it is possible to address the root cause of the concerns that may exist.

By understanding more about why we do the things that we do, we can take intentional and intelligent steps to make positive habit changes, so there is a strong focus on patients leaving sessions armed with strategies to implement self-awareness, self-reflection, thought correction, emotional regulation, mindfulness practices and more.

Sessions firstly include a discussion around how the patient’s journey is currently going, so that the session can be personally tailored for the patient, and within this discussion we may uncover and identify unhelpful beliefs, thought patterns, habits and behaviours that have been limiting you in the past, which provide the opportunity to enhance self-awareness, begin mindful self-reflection, renew enthusiastic focus upon goals, and discover helpful strategies and techniques that the patient may find beneficial.

A general overview of what patients can typically expect from hypnotherapy sessions is as follows:

• Open Discussion: An initial discussion where the therapist gets to know the patient, their up-to-date background, goals, and specific issues they wish to address.
• Explanation of Hypnosis: The therapist will explain what hypnosis is and dispel common myths. Patients will learn that they remain in control throughout the process, and that they cannot be made to do anything against their will. In this discussion, we may uncover that hypnotherapy might not suit your needs or be best for you, therefore suitability to engage in hypnosis will be determined.  At times, an informative discussion may be deemed more appropriate for the individual’s needs, and in these cases, we will instead have a general discussion around helpful strategies that may help to support your mind with habit changes, emotional regulation, thought pattern correction, emotional wellness, anxiety reduction techniques, strategies to heal emotionally and more.
• Induction: The therapist will guide the patient into a relaxed state using techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or guided imagery.
• Positive Language Suggestions: When the patient is feeling relaxed, the therapist will guide the patient through the process using positive language patterns that aid in transforming negative thought patterns or behaviours to be more in alignment with the patient’s goals. For example, the therapist might suggest that the patient enjoys engaging in behaviours that supports their health and wellness, rather than finding comfort in undesired or unhelpful patterns of limiting behaviour, that in the past were hindering positive progression towards their goals.
• Engaging the language of the brain: Through visualisation, imagery, words, language patterns, strategic emotional intensity where appropriate, and the engagement of senses, it helps patients create helpful mental images, encourage positive thought patterns and the generation of positive sensations associated with desired change, which helps to guide the patient toward engaging in more helpful behavioural patterns.
• Exploration: Some hypnotherapy sessions may involve exploring the patient’s subconscious mind to uncover and address underlying issues or trauma that may contribute to their current challenges.
• Post-Hypnotic Suggestions: The therapist may provide post-hypnotic suggestions that the patient can use outside of the sessions to reinforce positive changes.
• Homework: Patients may be given ideas for positive practices to implement between sessions to enhance the effectiveness of the therapy. Effective therapy involves working collaboratively with patients to ensure that they are armed with knowledge that they can take away with them and implement in their daily lives to achieve their best possible outcomes.
• Empowerment: A key takeaway from hypnotherapy is empowerment. Patients often gain a greater sense of control over their thoughts and behaviours, allowing them to make positive changes in their lives.
• Number of Sessions: The number of hypnotherapy sessions needed can vary widely based on the individual and their goals. Some issues may be resolved in just a few sessions, while others may require more extended therapy. It’s important to remember that hypnotherapy is a collaborative process, and the effectiveness of the therapy depends on the individual’s willingness to participate and engage in the process, and the number of sessions required can also vary greatly depending on the complexity of the issue being addressed. Patients should discuss their specific needs, expectations, and treatment plan with their hypnotherapist to ensure a tailored and effective experience.  Even though the number of sessions required to address concerns varies from person to person and is quite dependent on their unique and individual circumstances, most people feel some benefit from hypnotherapy immediately, or within 1 – 5 sessions.  Hypnotherapy sessions require a patient-centred and collaborative approach where we work together to establish a process that is in alignment with what we both feel your needs are.  Some patients may benefit from short term support, others may benefit from longer term support, and other patients might simply choose to have regular, ongoing sessions to stay on track, and will book in subsequent sessions privately through the clinic, as they deem appropriate.