Frequently Asked Questions
What is hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy attempts to address an individuals subconscious mind, using the power of suggestion for beneficial change. A hypnotherapist uses hypnosis to give relevant, positive beneficial suggestions to help an individual bring about the change they desire. Although hypnotherapy is not the same as sleep (the individual will still have awareness and control), hypnotherapists often require the individual to be in a deeply relaxed state to enable them to use their imagination fully. For this reason, it’s imperative that the individual feels completely comfortable with their hypnotherapist. Hypnosis is a different state of consciousness from being awake or asleep, and many people compare the deep, relaxed state of hypnosis to daydreaming.
Altered states of awareness have been recognised for thousands of years and hypnosis is widely accepted as a beneficial psychological therapy to access our inner potential. Techniques can be used to reveal issues from an individuals past that may be causing them distress, or the approach can be focused more on their present problems. Hypnotherapy can generally help with most emotional problems an individual is finding hard to cope with, and some physical problems can also be effectively treated with hypnosis too, such as IBS and insomnia. However, it’s important for an individual to consult their GP before approaching a hypnotherapist if they suffer from clinical depression, epilepsy or schizophrenia.
Hypnotherapists will often combine hypnosis with other psychotherapy and counselling techniques to benefit individuals. The techniques used will depend on the issue the individual is seeking help for. There are different types of hypnotherapy:
Are there different types of hypnotherapy?
Suggestion Hypnotherapy
Suggestion hypnotherapy involves the hypnotherapist giving an individuals unconscious mind a series of ‘suggestions’. These suggestions can help an individual to find it easier to do something they want to do (e.g. public speaking) or easier to stop doing something they don’t want to do (e.g. smoking).
Suggestion Hypnotherapy is often used when there is no root cause that needs to be dealt with, or when there are time constraints (such as an individual wanting to deal with a fear of flying). Suggestion hypnotherapy is often considered a short-term therapy compared with other types of therapy, and if changes occur, they can so so within the first few sessions.
Analytical Hypnotherapy
Analytical Hypnotherapy (also called hypnoanalysis) can be effective in dealing with deeper issues and involves psychotherapy using hypnosis. Analytical hypnotherapy seeks to find the root cause of a problem, and deal with the issue. For example, a phobia may be 'masked' using suggestion therapy, however the root cause will still exist. Analytical hypnotherapy seeks to identify the root cause and deal with it; the root cause then becomes powerless.
Analytical hypnotherapy is a very involving process and usually requires much more commitment than suggestion therapy. However, once the root cause has been identified and dealt with, the results can be life changing. Where as suggestion therapy manages a problem, analytical hypnotherapy aims to resolve it.
Cognitive Hypnotherapy
Cognitive Hypnotherapy is a modern, scientifc approach to therapy that is significantly different from the traditional schools of Hypnotherapy. Cognitive Hypnotherapy draws its influence from a number of other validated theories, such as Positive Psychology, Neuroscience, Evolutionary Psychology and NLP and combines these in a way that fits the client's personal goals, values and personality. Drawing from a range of techniques from different disciplines means that a tailored approach for each client can be created - there's no "one size fits all" model here.
Cognitive Hypnotherapists attempt to get into the mindset of the client to work through any presenting issues, using techniques and language based on the client's unique model of the world. Cognitive Hypnotherapy also uses an analytical approach to clearing away unwanted thoughts and behaviours from the past, but then uses techniques that retrain the brain in the present to ensure that the changes that clients would like to make are fully realised.
What is Neuro-Linguistic Programming?
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) explores the relationship between how we think, how we communicate and our patterns of behaviour. Thoughts, habits, reactions and behaviour patterns are currently 'programmed' into our minds and run automatically without us consciously thinking about them, similarly to the way software runs and controls a computer.
The process of NLP explores neurology (which regulates how our bodies function and receive experiences), language (which determines how we communicate) and programming (our behavioural response) in a bid to find out how their interplay with one another effects our bodies and behaviour. NLP techniques use both the conscious and unconscious mind to replace pre-programmed negative behaviours with far more positive ones.
An NLP practitioner will look at your attitude, language and your use of it, your understanding of relationships and how you build a rapport and the physical and emotional states which are best for accomplishing a task. Effective communication and perception of ourselves and others will also be key focuses and all will be examined so that strategies for improving understanding, motivation, learning and remembering can be formed.
The terms Hypnotherapist and NLP Practitioner are often used interchangeably.
Does everyone respond to hypnotherapy?
According to the British Society of Clinical Hypnosis (BSCH), it is estimated that 85% of people will respond at some level to clinical hypnotherapy. Some individuals are more likely to respond to hypnotherapy than others and having confidence in the technique helps. Believing change from hypnotherapy is possible is important and if an individual is personally motivated to change, hypnosis is often more likely than if the individual relies completely on their hypnotherapist and doubts whether they have the ability to access their subconscious and make changes happen.
It is important to recognise that it is not possible to hypnotise an individual against their will, and even if an individual is hypnotised, they can reject any suggestion that is not beneficial to them. Hypnotherapy is therefore natural and safe, with no harmful side effects.
What qualifications and experience should hypnotherapists have?
There are currently no laws in the UK about the training and registration of hypnotherapists. However, when choosing a hypnotherapist it can be reassuring to know they work to certain levels of good practice. Hypnotherapists can register with a professional association of hypnotherapy with its own code of ethics and those who are members of a professional association will have met certain eligibility requirements.
Below are some of the professional associations for hypnotherapy in the UK, with examples of their different membership categories. This information is subject to change so please visit the individual websites for full details. This list is not exhaustive; to view more professional bodies (with links to their websites) please click here.
Professional associations for hypnotherapy in the UK include:
National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH)
Hypnotherapists can become members of the NCH, who have the following grades of membership:
- Licentiate Member - MNCH (Lic.)
Licentiate members have fulfilled the NCH entry requirements regarding training and competence but have not yet had sufficient clinical experience within the field of Hypnotherapy to be awarded Registered status. - Registered Member - MNCH (Reg.)
Registered members have fulfilled the NCH entry requirements regarding training and competence and have subsequently had a minimum of 12 months clinical experience within the field. - Accredited Member - MNCH (Acc.)
Accredited members have fulfilled the NCH entry requirements regarding training and competence and have had a minimum of 5 years clinical experience.
- Senior Clinician
Senior Clinicians have additional qualifications above those in hypnotherapy such as;
- A minimum of 5 years in practice, unless they have a strong background in psychology or psychotherapy.
- A minimum of 500 supervised client hours.
Senior Clinicians have either a degree in a field directly related to hypnotherapy and a certificate in a therapeutic discipline (e.g. counselling), or a degree in a field not related to hypnotherapy and a diploma in a therapeutic discipline (e.g. counselling).
- Fellow - FNCH
Fellows are Accredited members considered to have made a significant contribution to the profession of Hypnotherapy.
These details are provided here as a guide, for full details of membership please visit the NCH
British Society of Clinical Hypnosis (BSCH)
BSCH set a high standard for hypnotherapy practitioners in the UK. There are various types of membership for members of BSCH:
- Associate Member
Associate members are qualified hypnotherapists, with a pass at least Diploma level from a recognised training institute. - Full Member
Full members are qualified hypnotherapists, with a pass at least Diploma level from a recognised training institution and additional accredited specialist training. - Diplomate
Diplomate members have achieved the same as full members, along with an accepted paper on a relevant clinical topic. - Fellow
Fellow members are full or diplomate members upgraded from within the society for special service or achievement.
Please visit BSCH for full details.
The National Hypnotherapy Society
The National Hypnotherapy Society also have different levels of membership for their members, which include:
- Professional Member (MHS)
Professional Members have demonstrated that they are adequately trained, competent to practice and committed to supervised practice. - Accredited Member (MHS Acc.)
Accredited Members have demonstrated that they have completed advanced training, are competent to practice and committed to supervised practice. - Fellow (FHS)
A Fellow is a practitioner of outstanding experience of professional practice. Fellowship is awarded by a majority vote of the Executive Committee.
Please visit The National Hypnotherapy Society for full details.
General Hypnotherapy Register (GHR)
Hypnotherapists may become members of the General Hypnotherapy Register if they satisfy certain criteria with regard to both training and ongoing requirements as determined from time to time by the General Hypnotherapy Standards Council (GHSC).
Suitably qualified practitioners may be awarded the General Qualification in Hypnotherapy Practice (GQHP). A senior award (SQHP) is also available for practitioners who have fulfilled further criteria.
