People choose Hypnotherapy because it is not a ‘woo woo’ gimmick, it is scientifically proven to achieve results. It is also a natural and holistic approach for treating many different problems – Drug Free. Research has been conducted on the effectiveness of hypnosis by scientists, psychologists and fellow clinical hypnotherapists, all through history and around the world and even in famous institutions such as Harvard and Stanford Universities. Determining that hypnosis can well and truly be applied anywhere the mind is involved and can have tremendous positive effects on the mind and body.

It is fair to say that anyone suffering from sorts of emotional and/or physical dis-comfort, can benefit from clinical hypnosis. Although hypnotherapy is largely associated with habit control like quitting smoking, loosing weight, nail bitting etc… It is now more common to treat other significant problems someone may experience. Some issues include Anxiety, Low Self Esteem, Connections (Relationship with self and others), Addictions (Alcohol, Gambling), Mild Depression, Post Natal Depression, Procrastination, Phobias, Perfectionism, Obsessive Compulsive Behaviour, Insomnia or sleep issues, Anger, Guilt, Grief, Pain, PTSD, Sexual Dysfunction and Relaxation issues and much more.

Hypnotherapy is basically Hypnosis conducted by a trained therapist and for a therapeutic purpose. It usually incorporates forms of psychotherapy and is sometimes referred to as clinical hypnosis. The qualified therapist helps you drift into and manage the trance state. Once there, the therapist will use words, stories, metaphors and guided imagery to make positive suggestions and facilitate processes like visioning, calmness, healing or a beneficial change in some way; hence the therapy.

Strategic Hypnotherapy is a trademarked modality, which is basically Strategic Psychotherapy and Hypnotherapy combined. This is the method we use at HACA and what sets us apart. It also incorporates Ericksonian Hypnotherapy with aspects of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Gordian Therapy. Strategic Psychotherapy is integrated into the whole process and takes place before, during and after Clinical Hypnosis.

Coaching by definition is a form of development in which an experienced person, called a coach, supports a learner or client in achieving a specific personal or professional goal by providing training and guidance. Coaching differs from mentoring by focusing on specific tasks or objectives, as opposed to more general goals or overall development (Wikipedia). So in the words of HACA, Coaching is all about YOU having a particular goal and US helping you get there. We will come up with an action plan and execute it in a particular time frame. We will use our expertise in Strategic Psychotherapy and NLP but without using full hypnosis to get you there. This way we can still break down those limiting beliefs or whatever is holding you back.

The initial Hypnotherapy session is mostly about getting to know you and establishing our client – therapist relationship. The process generally starts by going through the intake form and issue at hand. We will ask you questions to help the process along and get to the root cause. We then move on to the therapy side of things by using different nlp techniques, psychotherapy and then of coarse, hypnosis. At the conclusion of the treatment, we will debrief and get you to do some very simple homework, like listening to the recording of the hypnosis, which will help support the therapy and prepare you for your next session. The duration of the session is usually 1.5 hours and then 1hour there after. In the the next sessions, we can talk about anything new that has come up, then update and continue with the treatment plan until the issues are resolved.

If it’s Coaching you’re after, the initial session is mostly the same, expect we generally won’t use hypnosis. We are mostly talking about what goal/s you are wanting to achieve and also come up with a plan to execute it. Follow up sessions are to check progress, keep you on track and deal with any blockages or set backs that have arisen. The time frame is the same as above.

For Hypnotherapy it is common for clients to have at least 3 to 6 sessions depending on the individual, which will generally be determined in the first session. In saying that, other things may arise during therapy so we can adjust accordingly. It is likely that you will notice a change just from the first session and then we will continue to build on that to make sure the issues in their entirety are treated. At the end of the day, there is no right or wrong, it’s totally up to you and what you feel comfortable with.

Coaching is a little different as it generally takes a bit longer to achieve a particular goal especially if it is significant. Client’s generally range anywhere from 6 – 12 sessions. There are likely to be many things that come up through your journey, that will need to be addressed. You can think of a goal, as an apple that will be cut up into bite size pieces. That way the goal is much more digestible, less overwhelming and achievable.

Having hypnosis delivered online via video-conferencing still works the same way as it would face to face, as long as we can see you and you can hear the therapist. Having a decent internet connection, preferably a quiet space with a comfortable chair and head rest also helps. The best part is, you get to do it from the comfort of your own home or space without having to worry about the commute, traffic, parking and everything else that comes along with it. It is totally ok if you still prefer to meet face to face and this can definitely be arranged.

Virtually any person who can communicate, hear and be attentive to what the therapist is saying, is suitable hypnotherapy. This would commonly be anyone from the age of 5 and up. As an example, a person who is intoxicated or who is not lucid would not be suitable as they cannot concentrate for long enough to properly receive treatment. This also means that attempting to hypnotise someone who simply won’t participate in the process or doesn’t think they have a problem to begin with (and are usually sent by someone else), is likely to not get an outcome; they need to want the change for themselves. Unfortunately we cannot treat people who have been clinically diagnosed with particular or chronic mental health conditions as it is out of our scope (see Is Hypnotherapy Safe?)

Hypnosis itself is a naturally occurring state of mind and we experience it everyday, so in that sense it is safe. Hypnosis conducted by a trained therapist (Hypnotherapy) is also considered safe as it is a drug free treatment, which can also be complimentary to other treatments. However, Hypnotherapy is not recommended for people that have been clinically diagnosed with certain mental illnesses or receiving psychiatric treatment and therefore we do not treat people with these conditions.

There is a myth that you can be magically zapped into being ‘fixed’ with hypnotherapy. This is not the case at all, in fact the power to change comes from within and how committed to change you are and how you respond to suggestions given. There may also be a fear that you might fall into a zombie like state, loose all sense of control and be taken advantage of in some way; all hypnosis is self hypnosis, so you have complete control at all times. A hypnotherapist does not use a fob watch or turning spiral to put people in trance, like they do in the movies. Lastly a very common myth is in regards to hypnotisability, like when a person says, “I can’t be hypnotised, I’m too strong minded”. A person falls into trance by choosing to let go in that moment, so strong-minded individuals are great participants because they can decide at will to change something about themselves; hypnosis will just help them do it quicker and with lasting results.

Meditation and Hypnotherapy are similar but different. In both you are trying to reach that calm, relaxed and focused mental state. The difference is that mediation is more about silencing the mind or creating a general inner peace where as in hypnotherapy you are targeting and treating more specific issues for long lasting effects.

Hypnosis is the name given for the process of when your attention becomes focused and heightened. This is when the gates to your subconscious mind are open and you become much more suggestible. This can occur naturally or after being induced into an altered state of mind, also known as trance.

Modern Ericksonian hypnosis is a more individual based and indirect approach to hypnotherapy and is named after Dr. Milton Erickson (who is widely regarded as the ‘father of hypnotherapy’). It can be applied to the majority of people and yields high success. During the tailored therapy clients are offered suggestions permissively through the use of metaphors and examples or utilisation of their own resources, which empower the client. When you compare to the more traditional, generic script based approach, there is a much lower success rate. It only tackles the obvious presenting issue and nothing comorbid, therefore the entire problem(s) may not be completely resolved.

Everyone experiences hypnosis differently. However it is very common that people feel a great sense of calmness and relaxation in this state. Hypnosis can leave you experiencing many new understandings and the potential for unlimited growth. It puts you in touch with the unconscious mind and higher self, safely allowing you to have therapeutic insights, intensified attention and receptiveness to teachings and healing. People reach different levels of hypnosis and it is not necessary to achieve a very deep level of hypnosis to bring about change to habits or conditions that are having a negative impact either mentally or physically.

Hypnotherapy is used for a therapeutic purpose or positive intervention, where as stage hypnosis is used purely for the purpose of entertainment. Stage hypnosis involves a pre setup, like asking for volunteers from an audience after which the hypnotist will run susceptibility tests and filter through to those who will conform the most. The participants chosen are then usually asked to do something outrageous or embarrassing in order to make the audience laugh. The participant will more than likely act it out due to increased suggestibility but more so, to not ruin the show by not socially conforming. We cannot make you cluck like a chicken, we cannot make you do anything; only you have control over that.

Strategic Psychotherapy is a type of brief talk therapy developed by one of the founding figures Jay Hayley. It is conducted at the minds conscious level, where the therapist asks you questions to identify undesirable thought patterns, habits and behaviours. known as cognitive distortions. Once established the therapist will lead you into a solution for your problems, using resources you already have or with new powerful learnings.

NLP is an acronym for the words Neuro Linguistic Programming founded by Richard Bandler and John Grinder. It relates to how the combination of all three components work together which affect our lives (mind and body) or how we live our lives. NLP is based on the study of excellence and modelling successful human beings. These are people who consistently yield results from positive thinking, visualising and interpreting the world and the way it can manifest into results.