Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy combines the structure and research-based techniques of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with the focus and relaxation of hypnotherapy. It can help clients to recognise and change unhelpful patterns of thought and behaviour.
It can initially be used to help discover thoughts and beliefs that may be holding a client back or causing problems. Most often, they are not aware of these cognitions themselves. Hypnosis can support this process and, for some clients, can help therapeutic work become more focused and efficient. Similarly, it can support the process of developing more helpful ways of thinking. Self-hypnosis can also be taught as a practical skill that clients can continue to use independently, both between sessions and after therapy has ended.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a very well-researched and proven therapy used to challenge unhelpful thought patterns and beliefs that lead to poor life choices. Often, people are unaware that many of the problems that they have in everyday life are made somewhat worse by their underlying thoughts and beliefs.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy helps to identify and adjust these beliefs and thought patterns. A part of the process is to identify more accurate and helpful cognitions. The role of the therapist is to facilitate and empower the client to uncover their hitherto unhelpful cognitions, challenge their validity, and subsequently formulate a new way of thinking that is more accurate and conducive to beneficial outcomes.
Perhaps surprisingly, hypnosis far predates psychotherapy and is credited as being the foundation of traditional psychotherapy methods.
There are many misconceptions about hypnotherapy, perhaps brought about by the media and stage hypnosis.
In fact:
NHS 111 Wales also advises that you remain in control during hypnosis and do not have to accept any suggestion that you do not want. You can read their guidance here: NHS 111 Wales guidance on hypnotherapy.
Hypnotherapy is generally considered a safe, low-risk approach when used appropriately, but it is not suitable for everyone. As part of your free initial consultation, I carry out a brief suitability screening using recognised professional criteria, alongside our discussion, to help establish whether hypnotherapy is appropriate for you. If I believe another form of support would be more suitable, I will tell you.
Under hypnosis, a state of deep relaxation can be achieved, during which the mind may feel less troubled by worry or the excessive 'noise' of the day. I liken it to that time when you first start to awaken in the morning. Your eyes are still closed. You are very relaxed, you know where you are, and you could react in an instant if the need arose. But you lie there deciding whether to get up now, or lie there a bit longer and rush a little more later. You are very relaxed and, at this time, your mind can be more receptive because it is not concentrating on anything else. It has not yet been distracted by the multitude of stimuli competing for its attention simultaneously throughout the day. As a result, it can be more receptive to new ideas.