Initially, we will arrange a mutually convenient time for an induction or chat. We can undertake the induction by video link or face to face, whichever you prefer. Also, you probably want to shop around before you commit, as you need to make sure you are getting what you are paying for. There is no fee for the induction and it would generally take around 30 minute (but often more like an hour). I am passionate about what I do, so it takes as long as it takes.
My commitment is to get you back to where you want to be and help you achieve the goals, your desire and overcome any obstacles which may be in your way.
Over and above everything else, during this process, trust is the key ingredient to ensure that hypnotherapy will be effective for you. The second factor is full disclosure. For instance, If I am asked to help a client quit smoking, however they wish to continue smoking marijuana, then frankly, they are wasting their money. I would rather decline treatment because it would be against any professional hypnotherapist’s morals and professional Code of Ethics to continue with treatment knowing that it will not be effective. As a clinical hypnotherapist, my reputation is my most valuable asset and I will not proceed if I feel that you will not benefit from hypnotherapy. If you had been “sent” and feel under duress to partake in therapy because your partner asserts that it is the only solution yet you don’t feel the same and have doubts, again, I would rather you seek another form of therapy, as no hypnotherapist is able to work with an individual who has no interest in engaging in the treatment process themselves.
All hypnosis is self-hypnosis, I am merely facilitating it and teaching you the processes and techniques, in order for you to access and utilise the power of your subconsciousness mind by yourself going forward.
From time to time, I may ask your permission to gently tap you on your shoulder during hypnosis. (I will let you know, explain in more depth and gain your consent before we start the session). The reason for this, is for me to monitor your level of consciousness and to reinforce certain suggestions. I may also ask you to nod your head in response to a question, to assess the depth of your trance and then we adjust it accordingly. (I also don’t want you to go into a full deep sleep). There are occasions when there may be unavoidable noises outside the room, which are outside of our control, for example the horn of a passing car. Even though the rooms I use are as quiet as possible. During the induction, however, I will prepare you with a powerful suggestion so that you block the noise and not frightened or bothered by any noises and you will remain completely relaxed and in fact, it will have the reversed effect on you, by sending you deeper into hypnosis.
1. I will ask you for your informed consent and provide you with a consent form with some important questions. A disclaimer regarding COVID-19. Your temperature will be taken. To avoid crowding in the reception, please do not turn up too early for your appointment.
2. NB: If you are experiencing any symptoms related to COVID-19 within 24 hours before your visit, please do not attend the clinic. Phone in with as much notice as possible and we will make arrangements to meet when you are feeling better.
3. Once all the formal stuff is done, I will ask you to switch your phone off or on silent, while I talk you through the process of hypnosis, answer any questions and ensure that you feel comfortable, safe and at ease. If you did want a chaperone, this can be arranged with enough notice. A loved one can sit in through the first session to put you at ease if you are nervous. Normally that is all that will be needed but exceptions can be made.
4. You will be positioned sitting/laying semi-upright on a couch (as if you were reading a book in bed) making yourself comfortable, listening to the gentle music in the background and use your imagination to visualise the scenes that I describe.
5. I will ask you to focus on your breathing and teach you the correct method as you focus your attention on the sound of my voice.
6. There are a number of inductions which I can use, explaining clearly what to do, how to do it and what to expect. I may ask you to focus on an object or simply ask you to gently close your eyes. The lights are dimmed, and soft gentle music continues to play in the background.
7. During induction and once your eyes are closed and your breathing gently relaxes, I will start asking you to visualise the scenes that I describe in as much detail as possible, using all of your senses, smell, touch, sound etc. while at the same easing gently into a completely relaxed state (yet fully aware) For example, “you are starting to feel heavier and heavier, going deeper and deeper as you feel yourself sinking into the couch under the weight of your body”.
8. I may ask a couple of simple questions to determine your responses to my suggestions in order to ascertain your level of hypnosis.
9. We then move onto a deepener, which is a process where I deepen your relaxed state even further. For instance, asking you to visualise a staircase and to count the steps as you see yourself descending and the smaller the numbers become, the deeper you go into hypnosis.
10. Once I am satisfied that you are in the ideal level of hypnosis in order to start giving you suggestions, I then begin my work in communicating with your subconscious mind. You are still fully alert, knowing exactly where you are and can hear everything that I say. You can come out of hypnosis at any time by simply opening your eyes and thinking/saying to yourself, “I am awake” and you are fully alert and in complete control of your entire mind and body. In all my experience, I have never had anyone want to come out of hypnosis at this point, because it is such a pleasurable and relaxing feeling of having nothing to do, nothing to think about, nothing to worry about. Rather to let go and be at ease, as you continue to drift deeper and deeper and allow your mind to relax and just focus only on the sound of my voice.
11. It is worth noting that hypnosis can also be referred to as a trance and effectively the meaning exactly the same. We also refer to the word ‘sleep’ in suggestions, however there is an obvious difference between hypnotic sleep or trance and the sleep that you would normally have at night. My voice may sound far away and then appear to come closer again, in the same way that your mind will wander and then pick my voice up mid-sentence and that again, is perfectly normal, as you allow yourself to relax and enjoy.
12. The subconscious mind is absolutely amazing in that it remembers everything that is said. It is claimed that it remembers your first day up until your last day. If it does happen that you feel you have fallen asleep completely, rest assured that the subconscious never sleeps and remembers all that is said during the session.
Throughout the session, I will keep an eye on your breathing and if you do start to drift off too much as note your breathing pattern changing and some guys snoring… I will then just gently touch/tap you on the shoulder and bring you back to a slightly lighter state of hypnosis. On arrangement, we can record a couple of sessions and I will have them send to you electronically.
13. The main body of the session takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes, when I will ask you to visualise certain scenes and scenarios while giving you the suggestions and noting your responses in detail, in terms of colours, textures as well as feelings and emotions and whatever else may present to you during the session.
14. The final part is the countdown, when I will again explain exactly what I am going to do and reinforce any post-hypnotic suggestions, as I slowly count from one to five and on the count of five, I ask you to gently open your eyes.
15. Once you left your hypnotic state, most of my clients say how wonderfully calm, peaceful and relaxed they feel. You will also be able to remember what was said to you and how and what you were asked and how you responded. It may feel as though only five minutes had passed, when in fact it was around 30 to 40 minutes and this is known as time distortion and is completely normal and harmless. Again, the feedback I receive in the following session is just how calm and relaxed the client was for the rest of the day and strangely nearly all reported a wonderfully refreshing nights sleep.
16. The key areas to focus on during your session are the sound of my voice, your breathing, being content in the knowledge that you are safe and secure and that you can come out of hypnosis whenever you wish. I cannot make you do anything against your will and you will instinctively reject any suggestions that you feel are not applicable or may cause upset or abreaction (as explained below) and if this does occur, we will discuss this as this may give us the answer that we may be looking.
Copyright © 2018 Versace Therapy - All Rights Reserved.