What is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is the use of psychotherapy and visualisation techniques in the state of relaxation known as "hypnosis". Hypnosis itself is a form of therapy, in that it is relaxation therapy. When additional healing or behavioural change methods are added, it becomes Hypnotherapy. We have a network of professionals providing Hypnotherapy and NLP in locations throughout the UK including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Carlisle, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol, Cardiff, Harley Street London.

There are many kinds of Hypnotherapy:

• Visualisation Hypnotherapy: Often used for goal setting, sports, phobia challenging, healing, motivation and other holistic work. Closely related to CBT psychotherapy where positive goals and alternative outcomes are defined and encouraged.
  

• Direct suggestion: Command or statement suggestions are given to the client in the state of trance. Effective in many cases although depends on personality type and the nature of the problem. Simple to use, and often taught for self hypnosis self help.  Often the starting point for "new" therapists who are not yet confident in more complex methods.
  

• Hypno-analysis: The use of questioning and analysis while a person is in the relaxed state. A form of Psycho-analysis. Although it benefits from the effect of hypnotherapy reducing any emotional pain, it is hindered by the requirement of exact questions.
  

• Story telling visualisation: The use of descriptive tales and parables to enable the subconscious to process and accept information and elicit self analysis and change. More subtle and able to get past many subconscious defence mechanisms that may block direct suggestion. Related to Sidereus healing methods and psychotherapy.
  

• Indirect suggestion: A version of direct suggestion in which ideas are suggested, rather than commanded. Essential with some personality types to prevent blocking. Similar to reflection and summary in counselling.
  

• Regression: A cross between visualisation and hypno-analysis using a range of different methods for regressing and dealing with painful traumatic memory or "past lives".
  

• Ericksonian: The use of complex language structure, sentance structure and parable combined to elicit powerful change. Typical only used by experienced hypnotherapists. Closely related to NLP, which was partly developed from it.
  

• Clinical Hypnotherapy: The use of multiple methods for addressing medical and clinical issues. Obviously this is not an alternative to medical attention and should only occur in addition to mainstream medical support.
  

The above is not a comprehensive list, as there are many variations on the theme. This includes specialist work such as pain management and post traumatic stress assistance (often called "Trauma Runs"). 

As you can see from the list given, there are close links between hypnotherapy and other well established therapies, and it is essential, and long standing good practice, to be well qualified in the other therapies too. Avoid any therapist who is insufficiently qualified. A hypnotist is not a hypnotherapist (hypnotists can create the trance state for entertainment etc but are not qualified therapists).

What is Neuro Linguistic Programming? (NLP)

NLP is  a science of modelling excellence. It was creaded by Bandler and Grinder as a study of modelling experts in their fields. It was an attempt to find out why leading experts were so good by looking at their patterns of professional behaviour and trying to replicate them. In other words, taking a glowing example of an expert, modelling them, and reproducing that excellence. it was not initially considered a therapy, rather a science of modelling. However the distinction became blurred because many of the experts that were modelled were themselves great therapists.

NLP has become a cross breed therapy. It combines psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, CBT and life coaching. In commercial context it includes business change models. It is a matter of debate as to whether NLP is merely a set of models, a type of psychotherapy, or a stand alone therapy. It is for ever expanding as new models are included and new experts are analysed.

NLP deals with behavioural change. In many ways it is a cross between Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Hypnotherapy. It often uses mild trance (or altered state), and deals with positive behavioural change in order to attain the desired goals.

NLP ca be used to address underlying issues, but care should be taken to beware of "quick fix" claims. Many practitioners are almost exclusively life coaching and NLP trained, and are taught that by "disrupting" phobias, fears and issues change can be achieved in a few hours. In mild cases this may be so, but the weight of evidence and knowledge in other therapies discounts this as wishful thinking, and in my (Paul's) experience, many clients who appear to benefit come to me afterwards to deal with underlying issues properly!

NLP is best used in conjunction with other methods, and because of its nature it is strongly recommended that you consult a practitioner with a good grounding in psychotherapy.

What can NLP and Hypnotherapy help with?

A huge range of issues can be assisted to some degree or another. If you use these two therapies on their own, then simple issues like stopping comfort eating, stopping smoking, confidence boosting and mild phobias can be helped with relative ease.

More complex cases such as deep lack of self esteem, severe phobias, depression, anxiety, emotional problems, anger management, severe stress and so forth respond well when combined with psychotherapy.  Of course all medical / clinical issues must be in conjunction with support from a medical doctor.

Qualifications. What do I look for in Hypnotherapy and NLP?

Until recently this has been a difficult area. Neither therapy has a statutory body of registration. Many so called "registers" exist, all claiming to represent the industry. Perhaps the largest is the UKCHO or United Kingdom Confederation of Hypnotherapy Organisations. Even the UKCHO can not represent the industry fully, despite its best efforts.

There is NO ONE REGISTER of Hypnotherapists or NLP practitioners. Some are very good, and quality ranges from very good to hopeless.

There are National Occupational Standards for Hypnotherapy and Counselling, as well as a range of other related standards, and these are the true measure of the quality of service.

There are two main qualification routes for non medical qualification in hypnotherapy (Doctors have access to another via a specific training body). :

NVQ Accreditation via the Advice and Guidance Awards
ASET accreditation via Hypnotherapy and NLP Awards

You are strongly advised to look for adherence to National Occupational Standards, ASET / NVQ accreditation and membership of a substantial professional body such as an appropriate Royal Society, the UKCP, NACHP, ANLP. Being registered with a professional body ensures ongoing monitoring and adherence to a code of conduct and ethics.

You can check our NVQ, ASET and National Occupational Standard policies and qualifications here: ABOUT US

Assistance is not just for individuals. Assistance is available for couples, families and those who care for others.