Stress and anxiety hit us all at various times in our lives. The daily pressures of life, work, family life and finances can all cause us to feel overwhelmed, worried and quite frankly exhausted.

When anxiety is left untreated, it can increase to a point when it is significantly interfering with your life and daily activities. It may start to cause physical symptoms such as headaches or dizziness, and it could start to affect your sleep quality – leaving you feeling tired and lethargic during the day. Performance at work, parenting as well as relationships could all suffer as further consequences, and before long the anxiety could take over your whole life.

Thankfully, there are many ways that anxiety can be addressed and treated. Counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy help many people to reduce the symptoms of anxiety. By talking openly about the symptoms and possible causes in a confidential setting, you can release feelings and thoughts that may be contributing to your mental wellbeing.

Used as a complimentary therapy alongside counselling, hypnotherapy is also a very effective, natural treatment, that has proven very helpful with anxiety sufferers.

So, what does hypnotherapy entail exactly?

Hypnotherapy (or hypnosis) uses guided relaxation techniques and focused mental attention to achieve a state of mind where you experience a heightened state of awareness. It has a similar effect to a state of meditation. During this state, your subconscious mind is able to communicate with your conscious mind, and anything else going on in your mind at the time is temporarily blocked out or ignored.

During a hypnotherapy session, your practitioner will chat to you first, before using guided relaxation techniques to lead you into this deeply relaxed state. They will then suggest agreed ways to help to deal with your anxiety, for example avoiding certain behaviours that might be triggers or offering coping techniques. At the end of your session, your practitioner will gradually guide you out of the relaxed state so that you can carry on with your day as normal.

How could hypnotherapy help you?

Your present ways of thinking, feeling and behaving may all be stuck in a rut, fuelling your stress and anxiety. By tapping into your subconscious mind, you are often able to adjust your negative beliefs and behaviours about yourself, leading to a more confident and happier life.

Whilst in a meditative state of hypnosis, your mind becomes more open to suggestion. This allows the therapist to suggest ways to cope with your anxiety. Because of the relaxed state you’re in, it can also be easier to avoid escalating any anxiety symptoms you may feel, such as shortness of breath, increased heart rate, muscle tension and fear.

Worried about being hypnotised? 

People are sometimes concerned about hypnosis because of a fear of lack of control. Others also worry that they during their relaxed state that their behaviour may be manipulated against their will.

It’s very important to remember that your practitioner or therapist, is there to help you and to guide you in this process. They aren’t there to control your mind. The fact is that under hypnosis you will remain in full control and can take on as many or as little of the suggestions as you choose. You also have the control to bring yourself out of the hypnotised state, should you wish to.

To provide further reassurance, you can opt to record your sessions on your mobile phone or a dictaphone, so you are aware of exactly what happened during each session. This also provides the opportunity for you to re-listen to the recording on a regular basis at home or anywhere when it is convenient (as research indicates that repeated exposure to the hypnotherapy suggestions improves the effectiveness of the treatment).

How do I book a session?

If you are keen to chat about hypnotherapy as an anxiety treatment, I would love to hear from you on 07787 831 275 or via email at patti.hemmings@hotmail.com. We can arrange a free initial consultation without obligation and discuss your thoughts and questions.

I work with teenagers and adults and have a Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy from the UK College of Hypnosis & Hypnotherapy which is approved by the British Psychological Society.