What is hypnosis?

Hypnotherapy is a way to help you feel more confident, increase happiness, self-esteem, release self-doubt and let go of limiting behaviours in a safe and natural way. Hypnotherapy uses meditative relaxation techniques to access the subconscious mind to help you create the life that you want.

How does hypnosis work?

The human mind has an incredible ability to control the body. Specific techniques are used to identify triggers, stop self-sabotaging thoughts and redirect the neural pathways in the brain. With visualization, new responses can be created to sights, smells or thoughts. In our sessions, we will tailor strategic tools to suit your personal needs.

If a pattern of behaviour cannot be changed consciously, then often accessing the subconscious and suggesting new thoughts, responses, attitudes, behaviours or feelings can bring about significant positive change. Combining counselling techniques such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) help to focus on your unique goals and results in greater overall treatment effectiveness.

Hypnosis and Research

For several decades, research studies have proven that hypnosis is an effective treatment intervention for a number of medical issues. Some of these include sexual dysfunction, side effects of cancer, treatment of pain and dermatological issues. Other issues include pornography and sex addiction.

Clinical Research

METHOD/RESULTS

Research supporting benefits of hypnosis for a number of conditions such as pain, irritable bowel syndrome and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms (PTSD), depression, anxiety and problem smoking.

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Jensen, M. P., Jamieson, G. A., Lutz, A., Mazzoni, G., Mcgeown, W. J., Santarcangelo, E. L., . . . Terhune, D. B. (2017). New directions in hypnosis research: Strategies for advancing the cognitive and clinical neuroscience of hypnosis. Neuroscience of Consciousness,2017(1). doi:10.1093/nc/nix004

METHOD/RESULTS

Effectiveness of Skype hypnotherapy sessions for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) showed that 76% of subjects responded to face-to-face treatment and 65% responded to Skype hypnotherapy improving quality of life, symptom severity, depression, anxiety and pain reduction.

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Hasan, S. S., Pearson, J. S., Morris, J., & Whorwell, P. J. (2019). SKYPE HYPNOTHERAPY FOR IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME: Effectiveness and Comparison with Face-to-Face Treatment. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis,67(1), 69-80. doi:10.1080/00207144.2019.1553766

METHOD/RESULTS

Hypnosis is one the most endorsed alternative strategies to help stop smoking. It is also effective without inducing a trance state.

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Riegel, B., & Tönnies, S. (2011). Hypnosis in Smoking Cessation: The Effectiveness of Some Basic Principles of Hypnotherapy Without Using Formal Trance — A Case Study. Journal of Smoking Cessation,6(2), 83-84. doi:10.1375/jsc.6.2.83

METHOD/RESULTS

Hypnosis is useful in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery. Hypnosis had an impact on alleviating distress postoperative pain, anxiety, fatigue and improving wound healing.

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Potié, A., Roelants, F., Pospiech, A., Momeni, M., & Watremez, C. (2016). Hypnosis in the Perioperative Management of Breast Cancer Surgery: Clinical Benefits and Potential Implications. Anesthesiology Research and Practice,2016, 1-8. doi:10.1155/2016/2942416

METHOD/RESULTS

Hypnosis is a useful technique for 1) a diagnostic tool, 2) to improve self-confidence, 3) as an adjunct to behaviour therapy, 4) for the direct removal of symptoms and 5) to facilitate the resolution of neurotic conflicts.

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Brown, J. M., & Chaves, J. F. (1980). Hypnosis in the Treatment of Sexual Dysfunction. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy,6(1), 63-74. doi:10.1080/00926238008404247

METHOD/RESULTS

Hypnotherapy is useful as a intervention for both physical problems and psychological symptoms of cervical pain on penetration as well as orgasm difficulties.

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Starc, A. (2019). Clinical hypnosis and female sexual dysfunction. Journal of Applied Health Sciences,5(1), 105-111. doi:10.24141/1/5/1/10

METHOD/RESULTS

Illustrates the use of hypnosis to treat 9 cases of impotence. 4 cases with absolute lack of erection, 2 with erective impotence associated with selective impotence and two with permanent erective impotence.

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Dittborn, J. (1957). Hypnotherapy of sexual impotence. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis,5(4), 181-192. doi:10.1080/00207145708410736

METHOD/RESULTS

Describes the case of 42yr old male using Ericksonian hypnotherapy

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Goguen, T. (1985). Diagnose the system, treat the individual: Hypnosis for secondary impotence. Family Systems Medicine,3(3), 308-312. doi:10.1037/h0089662

METHOD/RESULTS

Hypnosis was used to successfully help 29yr old female to overcome 5g/day cocaine addiction using recordings without any face-to-face intervention.

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Page, R. A., & Handley, G. W. (1993). The Use of Hypnosis in Cocaine Addiction. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis,36(2), 120-123. doi:10.1080/00029157.1993.10403054

METHOD/RESULTS

Hypnotherapy has been show to have success in helping children overcome their sleeping problems. This study concluded that a number of children can be taught self-hypnosis to manage sleep difficulties.

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Hawkins, P., & Polemikos, N. (2002). Hypnosis treatment of sleeping problems in children experiencing loss. Contemporary Hypnosis,19(1), 18-24. doi:10.1002/ch.236

METHOD/RESULTS

Clinical trials show that hypnosis is effective for reducing chronic pain, although outcomes can vary between individuals. The findings also illustrated that hypnosis has a number of positive effects beyond pain control.

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Jensen, M. P., & Patterson, D. R. (2014). Hypnotic approaches for chronic pain management: Clinical implications of recent research findings. American Psychologist,69(2), 167-177. doi:10.1037/a0035644

METHOD/RESULTS

Cognitive hypnotherapy is at least as effective as behaviour therapy and cognitive-behaviour therapy treatments that employ imagery and relaxation techniques for anxiety disorders.

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Turturean, M. A. (2015). Hypnotherapy for Anxiety Disorders — Theoretical and Practical Approach. SSRN Electronic Journal. doi:10.2139/ssrn.2659842

METHOD/RESULTS

Research has indicated that there is a link between self-efficacy and sports performance. Data provided promise to hypnosis as an intervention in increasing sports performance.

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Tramontana, J. (2011). Mental Side of Sports: How Hypnosis and Self-Hypnosis Training Can Enhance Peak Performance. PsycEXTRA Dataset. doi:10.1037/e679872011-001

METHOD/RESULTS

Brief hypnotherapy was used to significantly improve symptoms in a 46yr old female with psychogenic dysphonia (Loss of voice) after traditional talk therapy had failed.

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Horsley, I. A. (1982). Hypnosis and Self-Hypnosis in the Treatment of Psychogenic Dysphonia: A Case Report. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis,24(4), 277-283. doi:10.1080/00029157.1982.10403316

A-List Celebrities that have used hypnosis

Quit Smoking hypnosis

Celebrities that have reportedly used hypnosis to quit smoking include Ben Affleck, Brittney Spears, Billy Joel, Adele Adkins, Samuel L. Jackson, Ellen DeGeneres, Ewan McGregor, Matt Damon, Charlize Theron, Wyona Rider, Ewan McGregor, and Drew Barrymore.

Hypnosis for Career and Sports Success

Celebrities that have used hypnosis for career success include Ashton Kutcher, Henry Ford, Sylvester Stallone, Jimmy Connors, Debra Mesing, and David Beckham. The list also includes Jack Nicklaus, Mike Tyson, Tiger Woods, Muhammad Ali, Andre Agassi, and Kevin Mc Bride. Mel B also for stage fright.

Hypnosis for other issues

Celebrities that have used hypnosis for other issues include Bruce Willis, and Albert Einstein for stuttering. Lily Allen, Orlando Bloom, and Sophie Dahl for weight loss. Sam Smith and Oliva Munn for OCD. Princess Diana for confidence. Kate Middleton for morning sickness. Sean Connery, Mel Gibson, and Sean Penn, and Aaron Eckhart for personal issues.  Whoppie Goldberg and Rob Brydon for fear of flying. Melissa Joan Hart, and Gisele Bundchen for hypno-birthing. Reese Witherspoon for insecurities and Kevin Bacon for Insomnia.