A Hypnotherapist''s Casebook.

If you would like to get an amazing experience of hypnosis without going to a hypnotherapist to get it, you are now able to download our hypnotherapy audios, which have been written and are presented by a qualified hypnotherapist, with relaxing music playing in the background. The hypnosis audios are recordings of the hypnosis scripts with which they appear on the People Building website. Our free hypnosis audio is made up of a hypnotic induction scripts called “Body relaxation induction” and a deepener called “relaxing Inner self for Healing” It is just over half an hour long and forms the basis for all of our other hypnosis downloads which can be purchased from the site. In all of our other Hypnosis audio downloads, those two particular scripts are used as the induction and deepener, and are then followed by the substance of whatever particular area of improvement you need to focus on. Therefore, by downloading our free Hypnosis audio, you will be training your mind on how to go into trance, so that when you are ready to deal with some of the bigger issues you would like to improve, your system will then be used to hearing that same hypnotic music, voice and words and know that it is now time to go into a trance.

The free hypnosis download can be downloaded and listened to from your computer, or from itunes and downloaded onto your ipod. Simply look up People Building from your itunes store and select the hypnosis podcast.

Of course, by using a hypnosis download, you may not be able to solve all of the issues you are hoping to, because the information is generic and has not been created especially for you and your problems. That is why you can request an audio to be created to meet your specific needs. If you think that there is a audio on the site which may be appropriate, but you are unsure, you could buy the hypnosis script first to read the content of it.

For some problems, there are additional resources available. For example, for those wishing to stop smoking, we have a quit smoking e-book, called “freedom from smoking the NLP way.” This ebook contains hints, tips and activities to help you make the transition from a smoker to a non smoker and offers a money back guarantee. The cost of the book is roughly equivalent to the cost of 3 packets of cigarettes so just think about how much you could save in the long run.

On the subject of savings, if it’s our hypnosis scripts that you are interested in, in particular, you will be pleased to know that we offer meaty discounts to those who want to purchase lots of hypnosis scripts, rather than buying them individually. There are, at last count over 60 hypnosis scripts on our website. The cost of buying them all would be around $180.00 (roughly £90.00) This is why we offer saving of up to $60.00 (roughly £30.00) for buying collections of our hypnotherapy scripts.

When it comes to finding a good hypnotherapist, it’s much the same as anything else. You need to use the resources at your disposal and apply a certain amount of common sense along the way.

As a professional, there’s no greater compliment than a referral. If someone recommends me to another potential client, it’s because they’ve had a good, positive experience in working with me and their therapy has been successful. That’s indicative that I’m doing something right. From the potential client’s perspective, it’s immediately comforting to be referred to someone. It’s like some of the research has already been done for them.

But even with a good referral, there are other considerations, and anyone seeking to connect with a hypnotherapist should take appropriate measures in assuring they are working with the right hypnotist.

Sourcing them out shouldn’t be very complicated. You’ll likely be able to compile a starting list from browsing the internet. I would then encourage clients to get informed, and compare services. For instance, you might find several hypnotherapy clinics in your area, and not be able to identify any differences at first glance. You should investigate their inner workings just a bit. It’s okay to telephone them and ask questions, just conduct a little fact-finding mission.

Consider things like whether the hypnotist is a full-time professional or whether they are just sort of moonlighting at this activity. Do they have an office or are they working from their living room? What about the services they offer. Is he/she making unrealistic promises? Are their rates suspiciously lower than average? Check out credentials and qualifications. Are they a member of professional association, a reputable one?

These are a few examples of the sorts of things you can investigate, but a lot of times, your judgment will come straight from your gut feeling. If you can visit and possibly meet a therapist in person first, you may find that all the other variables are irrelevant because you felt you had an instant connection with that person, and you would be very comfortable working with them.

If you do get a chance to meet a hypnotherapist before you decide to work with him or her, you can investigate their approach, and see if you are comfortable in how they plan and execute their work.

Personally, I have no set pattern of conduct in place. Sure there are general procedures which help me get the therapy started on track, but after the initial orientation, I like to think that I’m flexible and adaptable enough to customize my therapy for the specific unique needs of each of my clients.

Initially, I like to spend time chatting with a new client so that I can identify their cause of concern, or what it is they want to achieve. Then I investigate their willingness or inclination to work together as a team. I also like to get their impression of hypnosis before we start, so that I know what I’m working with in terms of myths or beliefs, etc. It’s important to go into this with realistic expectations so I need to get some indication of what the person has in their head in terms of expectations.

After that initial process, it’s more about the specifics of that client. We can start to explore the problem. This process is really about having the client take a look deep inside himself. It’s important at this stage that I am extremely flexible, because I don’t want to lead the client in any way. It’s their own personal journey, I am just a facilitator.

What people usually expect when they first come into it, is a brief chat of a few minutes, then a typical session including an induction, deepener, suggestion, and then bring them back. They will typically expect a few minutes of chatting afterwards. That’s normal and it’s very common practice for most professional hypnotherapists.

There’s nothing set in stone in terms of approach or technique. There really isn’t a set prescription for a specific problem. Even if I have two clients with the same problem, I wouldn’t apply some sort of generic therapy. I would treat each case as an individual case, because it is. What works for one client might not at all work for the other, so it’s imperative to be open and flexible and adaptable.

Interpretation skills are extremely useful and important here as well. I want to be able to make a determination based on what I interpret from what the client has told me. I want to hear what they’re telling me and also read what they aren’t saying. I need to determine the best course of action for that client based on what I believe, and what I determine from them.

The best quality in a good hypnotherapist is likely his or her ability to be flexible and apply a treatment that is as unique as the client in from of him.

If you would like to get an amazing experience of hypnosis without going to a hypnotherapist to get it, you are now able to download our hypnotherapy audios, which have been written and are presented by a qualified hypnotherapist, with relaxing music playing in the background. The hypnosis audios are recordings of the hypnosis scripts with which they appear on the People Building website. Our free hypnosis audio is made up of a hypnotic induction scripts called “Body relaxation induction” and a deepener called “relaxing Inner self for Healing” It is just over half an hour long and forms the basis for all of our other hypnosis downloads which can be purchased from the site. In all of our other Hypnosis audio downloads, those two particular scripts are used as the induction and deepener, and are then followed by the substance of whatever particular area of improvement you need to focus on. Therefore, by downloading our free Hypnosis audio, you will be training your mind on how to go into trance, so that when you are ready to deal with some of the bigger issues you would like to improve, your system will then be used to hearing that same hypnotic music, voice and words and know that it is now time to go into a trance.

The free hypnosis download can be downloaded and listened to from your computer, or from itunes and downloaded onto your ipod. Simply look up People Building from your itunes store and select the hypnosis podcast.

Of course, by using a hypnosis download, you may not be able to solve all of the issues you are hoping to, because the information is generic and has not been created especially for you and your problems. That is why you can request an audio to be created to meet your specific needs. If you think that there is a audio on the site which may be appropriate, but you are unsure, you could buy the hypnosis script first to read the content of it.

For some problems, there are additional resources available. For example, for those wishing to stop smoking, we have a quit smoking e-book, called “freedom from smoking the NLP way.” This ebook contains hints, tips and activities to help you make the transition from a smoker to a non smoker and offers a money back guarantee. The cost of the book is roughly equivalent to the cost of 3 packets of cigarettes so just think about how much you could save in the long run.

On the subject of savings, if it’s our hypnosis scripts that you are interested in, in particular, you will be pleased to know that we offer meaty discounts to those who want to purchase lots of hypnosis scripts, rather than buying them individually. There are, at last count over 60 hypnosis scripts on our website. The cost of buying them all would be around $180.00 (roughly £90.00) This is why we offer saving of up to $60.00 (roughly £30.00) for buying collections of our hypnotherapy scripts.

Why did you become a hypnotherapist?

It’s great being a hypnotherapist as I have a great passion for what I do. Even though I work around about the same hours as the average worker, I never see myself as ‘in the rat race’ and I always have a spring in my step as I go off to work each morning. The job pays well, however I don’t see myself financially secure either – more like financially free as I do my job not for the money, but as my vocation in life. This is great as money is then just a symptom of what I really love to do – rather than being something that controls what I do. Being a hypnotherapist is great and I really believe that wild horses would find it difficult to drag me away from it.

What do you do day to day?

My day to day schedule can be very different from week to week, which is great as it means that I get loads of variety in what I do. Most days I will head into the office and write any articles that I have to do for a website or maybe a magazine that I am working with. I then get onto my mail and do the day to day stuff that is needed for running a hypnotherapy business. This could be anything from marketing to accounts. Then I usually have a clinic where I could see between three to eight clients. This is really the time that I love as it is a privileged position that I have in helping my clients with life changing issues that they may have. Seeing them get success is my reason for doing the job that I do.

What types of things do hypnotherapists help with?

Hypnotherapists can help with a whole range of issues, however most tend to gravitate around solutions for smoking, slimming and stress or the three S’s as I refer to them. I personally help people with relationship and sexual issues, including getting over relationship break-ups, jealousy, anger management, impotence, premature ejaculation and many other issues around this area. I also see my fair share of the three S’s too!

If I wanted to know more about becoming a hypnotherapist, where could I get some information?

You can get information on becoming a hypnotherapist from the many hypnotherapy organisations worldwide. You can also start to read books on self hypnosis as this is a great place to start as it will give you a great taste for what the topic has to offer.

Finding a Hypnotherapist
People in areas outside of *easy travelling to my consulting rooms often ask me for advice on how to find a competent and properly qualified hypnotherapist in their area. Unfortunately there are many unqualified or poorly trained people calling themselves "hypnotherapists" in the UK, and professionalism is not currently enforced by mandatory registration.
However, to help you find a competent, qualified and ethical hypnotherapist, I recommend the following:

1. Make sure that your hypnotherapist is properly qualified and registered with one of the main professional associations in the UK. These include:

• The General Hypnotherapy Register (MGHR, or GHR Reg)
• The British Institute of Hypnotherapy (MBIH)
• The Hypnotherapy Association (MHA)
• The National Council of Psychotherapists (LNCP or MNCP)

Ensure that your therapist is competent at a level necessary to help you. Many Hypnotherapists are only trained and qualified to use simple suggestion therapy, which though useful for help with many simple problems is not sufficient if you are suffering from panic attacks, acute or chronic stress or anxiety, post trauma stress, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, eating problems, and a whole range of other problems needing hypnoanalysis, regression, and/or other psychotherapeutic interventions. You may wish to check if your therapist holds a current Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Enhanced disclosure Certificate also. This becomes essential if the sessions of therapy are for a minor.

2. Avoid hypnotherapists who make unrealistic claims about stated 'success rates' (e.g., 100% effectiveness). It is against the Advertising Standards Agency's code of practice to make such claims without supporting, well-researched, independent, statistical evidence. It is also against the code of ethics and accepted practice of many hypnotherapy professional organisations.

3. Expect a short free and no-obligation initial consultation if requested (except for one session therapies such as stop smoking, or simple relaxation or confidence boosting). Ask lots of questions at this initial session and be sure you feel you can trust your chosen therapist. Be awrae that any successful therapist will be very busy and free consultations will not normally be available at peak times (evenings and Saturdays perhaps) although this may vary.

4. Ask about payment methods. Most successful and experienced practitioners will accept cash, cheque and credit/debit cards, although credit/debit cards have not caught on everywhere just yet.

5. It’s also worth asking what support materials (books, handouts, audio CDs, etc) your hypnotherapist will provide to support your progress through therapy, and will there be any extra charge for these (I would expect them to be included in the charge for sessions).

6. Don’t be fooled by cut prices. No effective and successful hypnotherapist is likely to be found asking for fees under the local average (and nor should they be asking for fees well above the average either). For most areas of London this will be between £55 & £75 per sixty minute session. Cut price fees may mean cut quality therapy.

7. If you are at all concerned about your therapist, find another one.

Remember that good qualifications, registration and training are paramount

*Clients have travelled a fair distance (sometimes even from distant parts of the UK or abroad) to reach me, preferring quality, professionalism and reliability to ease of travel and perhaps even lower fees( even though I have always offered to suggest more local to their area).

If you would like to get an amazing experience of hypnosis without going to a hypnotherapist to get it, you are now able to download our hypnotherapy audios, which have been written and are presented by a qualified hypnotherapist, with relaxing music playing in the background. The hypnosis audios are recordings of the hypnosis scripts with which they appear on the People Building website. Our free hypnosis audio is made up of a hypnotic induction scripts called "Body relaxation induction" and a deepener called "relaxing Inner self for Healing" It is just over half an hour long and forms the basis for all of our other hypnosis downloads which can be purchased from the site. In all of our other Hypnosis audio downloads, those two particular scripts are used as the induction and deepener, and are then followed by the substance of whatever particular area of improvement you need to focus on. Therefore, by downloading our free Hypnosis audio, you will be training your mind on how to go into trance, so that when you are ready to deal with some of the bigger issues you would like to improve, your system will then be used to hearing that same hypnotic music, voice and words and know that it is now time to go into a trance.

The free hypnosis download can be downloaded and listened to from your computer, or from itunes and downloaded onto your ipod. Simply look up People Building from your itunes store and select the hypnosis podcast.

Of course, by using a hypnosis download, you may not be able to solve all of the issues you are hoping to, because the information is generic and has not been created especially for you and your problems. That is why you can request an audio to be created to meet your specific needs. If you think that there is a audio on the site which may be appropriate, but you are unsure, you could buy the hypnosis script first to read the content of it.

For some problems, there are additional resources available. For example, for those wishing to stop smoking, we have a quit smoking e-book, called "freedom from smoking the NLP way." This ebook contains hints, tips and activities to help you make the transition from a smoker to a non smoker and offers a money back guarantee. The cost of the book is roughly equivalent to the cost of 3 packets of cigarettes so just think about how much you could save in the long run.

On the subject of savings, if it's our hypnosis scripts that you are interested in, in particular, you will be pleased to know that we offer meaty discounts to those who want to purchase lots of hypnosis scripts, rather than buying them individually. There are, at last count over 60 hypnosis scripts on our website. The cost of buying them all would be around $180.00 (roughly £90.00) This is why we offer saving of up to $60.00 (roughly £30.00) for buying collections of our hypnotherapy scripts.

A hypnotherapist is someone who is not always taken seriously because of the work they do. However, those who actually study and become hypnotherapists put much time and effort into learning clinical hypnotherapy and their job should be taken seriously.

The art of hypnosis has been used by many to overcome a variety of negative behaviors and even to help specific individuals recover from suppressed memories, in order to deal with their present life issues. None of this would be possible unless the help of a hypnotherapist had been enlisted. However, if one wishes to become a therapist and specialize in hypnosis, then they need to have a great deal of patience and be willing to test themselves.

Those that choose to become one will have to have some form of higher education to ensure that they can treat their patients to the best of their ability. Before one begins to enroll in any classes, however, one must first find out what is acceptable in their state.

Various states have differing laws that can determine what type of hypnosis training an individual will need. Some states allow persons to become hypnotherapists online, while others require a more formal class setting. If a person chooses to take classes online to learn how to become one, then they should definitely make sure that the school is accredited.

When people are deciding between which career field will best suit their needs, one of the main factors taken into consideration is the pay. Those who choose to become a hypnotherapist can see a substantial paycheck as a reward, however, the market is very competitive and one may not get the going rate they expected.

For a therapy session, a licensed hypnotherapist can charge up to one hundred fifty dollars. Since hypnotherapy can be performed in a home and at a special office, many of these therapists have low overhead and their pay is all profit.

A hypnotherapist can earn a lot of money by helping people if they are properly educated. However, if one is not licensed, then the issue of credibility may become a stumbling block. If one is serious about becoming such a therapist, then the time one spends researching the best schools will be invaluable.

Another thing to find out about is the time and effort one will have to devote to their career. As well, speaking to a practicing therapist and asking for advice is always a good idea. Their insight and advice can be very useful for a person who is interested in becoming a hypnotherapist.

These articles were originally first published
as a column in L.A. Health Magazine,
under the title, A Hypnotherapist’s Casebook.

A Hypnotherapist’s Casebook. No 1.

Hypnotherapy for Healing.

A little over ten years ago I was between jobs. I had been working in Psychiatric Hospitals and other Institutions, as an Admissions Counselor, Chemical Dependency Counselor, Case manager and Discharge Planner. I was attending some college courses, hoping eventually to obtain a Psychology degree, when a friend of mine suggested, "Why don't you study hypnotism, you could help people stop smoking and make some money." It seemed like a good idea, so I ended up attending classes at the world renowned Gil Boyne Hypnotism Training Institute, in Glendale.

As soon as I saw on the first video what Mr. Boyne was able to achieve with hypnosis I exclaimed to him, "You are getting people to give you information in a few minutes that would take six months to a year in therapy, because consciously they don't know these things!" I knew I had encountered something I had always wanted, a means to make my work as a counselor more effective and economical in terms of both time and money. As yet I was not aware of the possible depth, speed and range of change available through hypnosis and hypnotherapy.

I have since discovered that hypnotherapy can be divided into two aspects. 1). "Putting in the good stuff," or suggestion therapy. To most people this is the most familiar, planting suggestions in a clients mind of a beneficial nature, such as, "You will act on the powerful desire you discover today to stop smoking for good." etc., while a person is in a hypnotic trance. The other aspect could be described as, 2). “Taking out the bad stuff," by altering and/or releasing historical causations of difficulties. This trance-pires by entering the subconscious mind, the other seven eighths of our mind we have little awareness of, and relieving difficulties in hypnotic trance. Of course, both aspects may well be implemented concurrently, (at least by me), with any client.

The effectiveness can be astonishing. One client returned after the first session and stated. "I stopped drinking coffee, watching soap operas, and have emerged from a low grade depression of many years duration." As a bonus, this man had a thyroid condition called "Bright's Disease," which caused his eyes to be permanently popped out, so he looked angry or scared all the time. It was now only barely visible around one eye. In addition, three quarters of the anxiety, regarding supervisory duties at work, which initiated his visit, had vanished. Though hypnotherapy is not always so dramatically effective as this, I inform prospective clients that eighty percent of those I work with usually see major positive changes within four sessions. I have seen the client's blood pressure go down from regular use of one of my self-hypnosis tapes. Persons have obtained rapid healing with little pain from invasive medical procedures and surgeries. Young persons, (around fourteen to twenty one years,) if willing, can often gain astonishing progress, due to being so open, and mentally fluid.

My process produces all kinds of general positive change, then I also work on the specifics. I help a person gain access to inner resources and increased self-esteem, while removing blocks that are keeping them stuck, so they can resume personal growth without me. Naturally, the amount of time and work necessary to obtain relief from any difficulty is related to it’s prior nature, duration, intensity and severity, and the available inner and outer resources.

What kind of problems is hypnotherapy useful for? Traditionally it has been successful, with habit control, smoking, weight, bedwetting, nail biting, stuttering, and so forth. Also to increase self confidence, motivation, memory, concentration, creativity, productivity and self esteem. For reducing anxiety, releasing fears, phobias, headaches and nightmares. Sexual problems of both sexes may be amenable to hypnotic methods. The rapid release of grief is often very easy to facilitate, and unresolved grief from past losses is a significant contributor to more difficulties than is generally known. I have found that even the death of a beloved animal can leave a person in a state of frozen mourning. I use Hypnosis as an adjunct to treating drug and alcohol problems.. I receive referrals from Psychiatrists, Doctors, Psychotherapists, Chiropractors, Osteopaths and Alternative/ Complementary Medicine practitioners, to assist clients who may be stuck in some way, or have a problem, such as mental and physical tension, that the referring party does not treat.

Correction of many obstinate physical/mental/emotional situations can be initiated. In fact, the holistic hypnotherapeutic process is as unlimited as the boundless Shaman's Imagination of the practitioner, and to the extent that he can utilize his Wizard Words to conjure up Magical Image Processes that heal, as becomes a Charm-ing Mage. Hypnosis then works in the I of the mind, as an Alchemical Philosopher's Stone, trance-muting the unknown into the golden healing known. Now I will close with the words of Tiny Tim, from a Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens,
"God bless us all, each and every one."

Till the next time, Brian.

A Hypnotherapist's Casebook. No 2.

Releasing Past Grief.

One of the most useful aspects of hypnosis is that in trance, a person's emotional defenses are softened or lowered. This allows for the release of previously submerged and trapped emotions. A heightened awareness of thoughts and feelings also trance-pires. This combination allows the possibility of resolution of difficulties following the rapid location of their deeper source.

This is especially relevant for the release of blocked or frozen grief. A significant number of my clients suffer from this as a major component of their difficulties. It contributes to poor concentration, irritability, feeling "down", physical and psychosomatic problems, and accentuates any other problem a person might have. This may be despite a person's belief that they mourned the loss. Over many years with many clients, when probed in a relaxed trance state, only two had no residual pain regarding a major loss. For most, rapidly obtaining complete relief is a relatively simple matter. After the release, remarks such as, "I never knew that was there.. still bothering me so much," etc. are made. One female, having dinner with a friend after a session, was told, "The look of pain that was always in your eyes has gone." This was after the release of grief entangled with guilt, as is often the case, subsequent to an abortion.

Grief is not restricted to the death of a loved one or family member. Miscarriages as well as abortions. The loss of a beloved pet animal can be agonizing, especially for those who have fewer deep connections to other human animals. The end of a long-term relationship is often like a death. As an addictions professional, I am aware that saying goodbye and mourning the loss of the "old friend" that could always be "depended on", whether it be alcohol, cigarettes, or whatever, is a sometimes a necessary step along the road to abstinence.

To close, I will detail these simple easy cases where the release was a mini-miracle, immediate and complete. The first was a lady who had lost a baby due to a miscarriage a year before she came to see me. After assisting her to enter a relaxed state I began, "You mentioned the loss of your baby… " At these words, her head went back, and a wordless howl of agony emerged, on, and on, and on.. finished at last.. no words.. that was it, all of it.

While on vacation, a man's long term pet, his dog, had died. Somebody remarked, "You have to take them on a last walk before they die," and he had become deeply guilt stricken, feeling he had failed his old pal, and had sunk into a deep depression. In trance, I pointed out to him that he had taken the dog for his last walk, before he departed on vacation. The guilt resolved, with further grieving he came to peace, and laid his canine friend to final rest.

A young woman had had an emotional breakdown, after rejecting her partner for being a womanizer, with no interest in changing. She was hardly eating or sleeping, barely living, going to work like a zombie. Coming out of the first trance, after grief release she said, "I'm hungry!" Returning for the second session she said, "When he calls me on the phone, instead of feeling so desperately awful, I see myself saying goodbye to him as I visualized in trance, and I'm O.K." Aligning her head and heart while releasing the tears of grief was all it took. Because she had no other problems to complicate matters, only one session was needed to initiate her recovery process. Though not always this simple, healing is always a possibility.

Till the next time, Brian.


A Hypnotherapist’s Casebook No. 3.

Working With Young People.

Hypnotherapy with young persons, from the ages of approximately 13 to 21 years old, can often produce extraordinarily powerful results. One reason is that their minds are so open and flexible, so that the process of change is easily assimilated into their own current growth and development. In addition, their personality and self esteem are still being formed by incorporating the "messages" conveyed by the words and behavior of family, authority figures and peers. Positive suggestions absorbed in trance give them the necessary emotional support and nurturing that they need.

The common antecedent to many problems is parental conflict, especially separation and divorce. Adults usually have little idea how these events devastate a child's sense of security. A rapid drop in academic levels, or sudden negative behavioral changes, (if not the result of alcohol/drug problems, another common cause), frequently indicates a problem at home. Remarriage often brings on or further aggravates difficulties. Much of the time the child is classed as either mad or bad, when in fact they are caught in emotional traps. Because young people are very in touch with their situations and emotions, especially in trance, it is often quite a simple process to assist them obtain relief. Many require no more than four or five sessions, of two hours plus, for virtual elimination of their troubles. Simultaneous initiation of ongoing emotional improvement processes adds many more benefits. Realizing that a person's life may be radically improved for fifty or more years is personally very rewarding to me. Also, my own adolescence was so disastrous, agonizing and bereft, that I have a deep compassion and understanding of troubled teenagers, and love to provide them with the assistance I never knew I needed, and of course did not get.

Serious problems such as trichonomania, (compulsively pulling out of hair and eyelashes), obsessive hand washing, night terrors, and so forth, have also yielded to my hypnotic ministrations. I have helped a succession of young males reverse declining grades and other unacceptable behavior at school, by resolving resentment regarding a stepfather, especially if the stepfather is "mistreating" a mother the son is very close to. Unfortunately, when a young person gets poor grades, not knowing this is the result of emotional stress, they may conclude they are stupid and may begin to regard themselves as a failure. In fact, I have retroactively dealt with these issues in adults, still carrying scars to their self-esteem from precisely this sequence.

Till the next time. Brian Green.
mindmagic123.com

Why did you become a hypnotherapist?

It's great being a hypnotherapist as I have a great passion for what I do. Even though I work around about the same hours as the average worker, I never see myself as 'in the rat race' and I always have a spring in my step as I go off to work each morning. The job pays well, however I don't see myself financially secure either - more like financially free as I do my job not for the money, but as my vocation in life. This is great as money is then just a symptom of what I really love to do - rather than being something that controls what I do. Being a hypnotherapist is great and I really believe that wild horses would find it difficult to drag me away from it.

What do you do day to day?

My day to day schedule can be very different from week to week, which is great as it means that I get loads of variety in what I do. Most days I will head into the office and write any articles that I have to do for a website or maybe a magazine that I am working with. I then get onto my mail and do the day to day stuff that is needed for running a hypnotherapy business. This could be anything from marketing to accounts. Then I usually have a clinic where I could see between three to eight clients. This is really the time that I love as it is a privileged position that I have in helping my clients with life changing issues that they may have. Seeing them get success is my reason for doing the job that I do.

What types of things do hypnotherapists help with?

Hypnotherapists can help with a whole range of issues, however most tend to gravitate around solutions for smoking, slimming and stress or the three S's as I refer to them. I personally help people with relationship and sexual issues, including getting over relationship break-ups, jealousy, anger management, impotence, premature ejaculation and many other issues around this area. I also see my fair share of the three S's too!

If I wanted to know more about becoming a hypnotherapist, where could I get some information?

You can get information on becoming a hypnotherapist from the many hypnotherapy organisations worldwide. You can also start to read books on self hypnosis as this is a great place to start as it will give you a great taste for what the topic has to offer.

Finding a Hypnotherapist
People in areas outside of *easy travelling to my consulting rooms often ask me for advice on how to find a competent and properly qualified hypnotherapist in their area. Unfortunately there are many unqualified or poorly trained people calling themselves "hypnotherapists" in the UK, and professionalism is not currently enforced by mandatory registration.
However, to help you find a competent, qualified and ethical hypnotherapist, I recommend the following:

1. Make sure that your hypnotherapist is properly qualified and registered with one of the main professional associations in the UK. These include:

• The General Hypnotherapy Register (MGHR, or GHR Reg)
• The British Institute of Hypnotherapy (MBIH)
• The Hypnotherapy Association (MHA)
• The National Council of Psychotherapists (LNCP or MNCP)

Ensure that your therapist is competent at a level necessary to help you. Many Hypnotherapists are only trained and qualified to use simple suggestion therapy, which though useful for help with many simple problems is not sufficient if you are suffering from panic attacks, acute or chronic stress or anxiety, post trauma stress, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, eating problems, and a whole range of other problems needing hypnoanalysis, regression, and/or other psychotherapeutic interventions. You may wish to check if your therapist holds a current Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Enhanced disclosure Certificate also. This becomes essential if the sessions of therapy are for a minor.

2. Avoid hypnotherapists who make unrealistic claims about stated 'success rates' (e.g., 100% effectiveness). It is against the Advertising Standards Agency's code of practice to make such claims without supporting, well-researched, independent, statistical evidence. It is also against the code of ethics and accepted practice of many hypnotherapy professional organisations.

3. Expect a short free and no-obligation initial consultation if requested (except for one session therapies such as stop smoking, or simple relaxation or confidence boosting). Ask lots of questions at this initial session and be sure you feel you can trust your chosen therapist. Be awrae that any successful therapist will be very busy and free consultations will not normally be available at peak times (evenings and Saturdays perhaps) although this may vary.

4. Ask about payment methods. Most successful and experienced practitioners will accept cash, cheque and credit/debit cards, although credit/debit cards have not caught on everywhere just yet.

5. It's also worth asking what support materials (books, handouts, audio CDs, etc) your hypnotherapist will provide to support your progress through therapy, and will there be any extra charge for these (I would expect them to be included in the charge for sessions).

6. Don't be fooled by cut prices. No effective and successful hypnotherapist is likely to be found asking for fees under the local average (and nor should they be asking for fees well above the average either). For most areas of London this will be between £55 & £75 per sixty minute session. Cut price fees may mean cut quality therapy.

7. If you are at all concerned about your therapist, find another one.

Remember that good qualifications, registration and training are paramount

*Clients have travelled a fair distance (sometimes even from distant parts of the UK or abroad) to reach me, preferring quality, professionalism and reliability to ease of travel and perhaps even lower fees( even though I have always offered to suggest more local to their area).