About Stella Rodgers DCHAc CMIR. HPD MNCH

Stella is a qualified practicing Hypnotherapist and a Licensed NLP Practitioner – in which her many treatments include the subjects of weight control and becoming a non-smoker, regression therapy (both this life and past life) and is a practicing healer with over ten years comprehensive experience.

She holds the Diploma in Chinese Health Care Medicine and Acupuncture from the Acumedic Foundation & University of Beijing, and is registered with the CMIR. Stella also has the Teaching Certificate with the City and Guilds Institute, and is trained with the Minefields College of Human Givens in counselling, plus Interex Pain Management which is also for Sports Injury.

Included in the disciplines that she offers in her private clinic in Norfolk are:

Hypnosis Therapy

NLP – Neuro Linguistic Programming

TFT – Thought Field Therapy

Plus the Chinese Traditional Medicine therapies:

Acupuncture / Acupressure

Cupping / Tui-Na

Moxibustion / Auricular Therapy

Herbal Capsules – which have in recent times replaced the raw herbs.

Stella is also trained in the ‘Interex’ Therapy, which has brought so much pain relief to many patients.

For information regarding Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine go to…

www.acupuncture-in-norfolk.com

Stella says: “Some of the most common treatments I attend to are in the area of pain relief and management, with behavioural problems like smoking and weight control a close second, where the detoxing of acupuncture is so effective together with Traditional Chinese Medicine.

You are actually getting, in my clinic, so many complementary therapists for the price of one. Very few people study more than one of the ‘big’ alternative treatments such as Acupuncture, Chinese Traditional Medicine, Hypnotherapy, or NLP; I don’t know of any others who have studied more than two. Added to which, some newer methods such as EFT can be extremely rapid and powerful.

How does Hypnotherapy differ from other therapies?
The hypnotherapist opens the door to the sub-conscious mind directly, thus the root of the problem can be easily pin-pointed and then transformed into a positive pattern.
Because it is a fast-track to the sub-conscious ‘emotional trigger’ the therapy can take a few sessions rather than the years it could take in conventional therapy which works mainly on the conscious level.

Do have a look around the other items on the site, and to reassure yourself of the professional status together with the relative institutes and societies I am registered with, these are shown below.

I have many other complementary treatments available, and how does that help you? It’s more efficient, both in time and value. It means I can see your health from a variety of angles and choose the treatment, or combination of treatments, that will probably work best for you and produce the most powerful results in the shortest time. You receive my full and warmest attention.

Straightforward strategies are used for anger management, phobias, stress etc., to release any backlog of emotion and to more easily deal with the everyday events.

One of the ‘tools’ in the therapist box is NLP. In Neuro Linguistic Programming we do not start from the assumption (and what an assumption it is!) that people are broken. It’s a form of training, which takes a very different attitude from some of the old psychologies. No. Instead, we assume the opposite; that people work perfectly well, that they have all the resources that they need, and that the only problem isn’t with them, but with their internal ‘software’ programming.

Many people have unresolved issues from their past, issues that they may not realise that they are still being affected by.  There are therapies to clear these issues from the brain, as well as the associated fears, negative emotions, and limiting beliefs.  By clearing these, you are making way for fresh, new thoughts that put you on the path to achieving your full potential and you may end up surprising yourself in the process.”

Stella is located in Reepham in Norfolk, East Anglia, is about 20 minutes from the outskirts of Norwich. Appointments are made by telephone: 01603 879126

The cost of treatment is dependant on the monetary resources of the client. I have helped many people through the holistic healing approach, from the busy man working all day in his office, who has a hidden fear of public speaking, to the retired farmer who’s back pain has troubled him all his working life.

If unable to answer the phone I will ask you to leave a message speaking slowly and clearly, and give your contact number so I can return your call as soon as is possible.

Would you like to go to the dentist / doctor / hospital without fear?

Would you like to breeze through the doors with a smile on your face?

Perhaps that second one is a bit optimistic, but … “no worries!” … is within your grasp!

Let me explain, some of the biggest deterrents to healing are the emotions of fear and worry.

Fear is an inhibiter, which actually prevents the normal actions of the body performing even the simplest of ordinary functions. [There are many examples of this in everyday life, symptoms of these maladies might be stomach ulcers- IBS - eczema - asthma – bedwetting, I could go on.]

There are two uses for hypnosis where an anticipated event / operation is to happen.

Pre-operative:

Fear in anticipation of an event can have its very useful function where caution is necessary, but in the pre-operative process it is actually a barrier. Instructions from the doctor no matter how clear they might be to the outsider, are not just not heard by the patient who is in a fearful state, this is why its good advice to take a companion with you when the results of any tests are expected.

The thought of a dentist, hospital, or even just blood, in some people can stimulate a very strong physical reaction, heart palpitations, vomiting, feinting, and fear is a close relative of panic., who needs to be told that?

Worry comes from the mind in sometimes unexpected ways, we can try to put away that ‘little op’ to the back of the thinking parts, but it will pop up at odd times when the brain is at rest, and we are caught unawares!

Many people think it’s brave to ignore a strong fear, and then find perhaps even a long time later that it again pops up to haunt us, post traumatic distress is better understood these days.

Post-operative:

The regeneration of clean new tissues in the body is stimulated through the immune system, it is triggered by the body’s natural abilities, and these again can be inhibited through any emotion that restricts.

Fear, anger, panic, grief, and worry are all enemies of the natural cycle of life; we cannot function normally in any of those states.

How do we avoid them?

“Put your mind at rest” says the specialist, that’s easier said than done; yet there are ways through the inner ‘doors’ of the unconscious to do this. It is part of our inbuilt human being mental-physical system that self preservation will win most of the time, and this is made use of by contacting that part of us that actually wants to help, not hinder us!

By visiting the hypnotherapists clinic some time in advance (as much time as possible here) self-hypnosis can be taught and actual visualisation / hypnosis utilised, all thats needed is a little practice.

Individual tapes / discs can be made to play as many times as needed at home, where surroundings are most conducive. Then also recordings can be made to speed healing after the event, when visits to the practitioner are perhaps not practical.

For “Interex” direct pain relief, with the ‘no needles’ therapy, see site >>> www.acupuncture-in-norfolk.com

Stella’s Location: Reepham in Norfolk, East Anglia, is about 20 minutes from the outskirts of Norwich. Appointments are made by telephone: 01603 879126

NOTE: I send specific detailed information by personal email.

THE TREE THAT COULDN’T

In the old days when Mother Nature was young, (and a bit inexperienced) all the trees in the forest just always did as they were told, even though they couldn’t remember why, and as the seasons changed they turned brown and shed their leaves every winter.

Except one year a pretty, half grown, green tree that was quite bright, didn’t do anything, and all the other trees thought it was very rude to ignore Mother Nature in that way, and they said so to each other, whispering behind her back.

This particular green tree just didn’t turn brown and let go its leaves as all the others did; it stayed very still and thought that nobody would notice.

When Mother Nature found out she was a bit cross and asked green tree why.

“I can’t decide”

This completely stumped Mother Nature; she didn’t know what to do, so she got cross.

“You are very lazy!” Mother Nature said.

The tree replied, “I’m not lazy! I just can’t decide”

The young Mother Nature got exasperated and so went to the older Mother Earth to ask advice, who thought about it a lot, and she conferred with the Divas of the Seasons. The discussion turned to the subject of principle, free-will. That was what Mother Nature had given all subjects within her realm, and it was treasured highly.

Some of the Divas said, “Why shouldn’t all the people of the forest do as they think best?”

“But … there would be no order in the forest!” said others, horrified!

Someone suggested that maybe the pretty, bright, young green tree was making a sort of protest against being told what to do all the time? Perhaps she thought her freewill had been violated?

After due consideration Mother Earth said this to Mother Nature;

“There are many kinds of plants and flowers and vegetables who grow in different types of soil and nutrients to do well, and also have different needs and different places where they feel happy,” here the Mountain and Valley Divas nodded in response, and then she added, “perhaps trees don’t want to be all the same?”

Mother Nature couldn’t understand this at all, she had always thought that all the trees were happy, and the young, half grown green tree was simply being obstinate, and besides, it never even mentioned being unhappy, so she didn’t see what that had to do with anything.

However she tried to be very patient, and went back to the green tree and tried to reason with it again. “But you won’t grow tall like the other trees, if your don’t change with the seasons! Everything needs the winter to sleep and rest.”

The other trees that did as they were told said, “Your leaves will become horridly thick and waxy all through the winter hard months if you don’t let them drop off and get new ones next spring!”

But this didn’t help; in fact this only made the tree more confused, unhappy and unable to decide anything at all.

The elements, sun, moon and stars, talked to her explaining how they had their part to play in the seasons turning year by year, but to no avail.

Wind, rain, snow and hale tried to explain why she had to be the same as everyone else, but with no effect, (if anything she got a bit stubborn at this point.)

Flowers, fruits, vegetables and nuts all in vain tried to persuade her the same thing.

And she just kept saying that she couldn’t decide, and she felt even worse (and a little more stubborn.)

At the request of Mother Nature all the creatures came back to talk to the green tree.

Squirrels, Mice, Foxes, Badgers, Voles, Birds of every kind, all tried to talk to her, with their familiar twittering and chatter, chattering and twitter – in fact that got on her nerves even more – but still in all the confusion and noise she couldn’t decide.

By this time all the talk began to have a curious effect … … …

She began to not hear anything at all!

Which was very handy because she didn’t want to hear arguments, in fact all the forest was in an uproar, and harsh words were spoken, which was upsetting, and some forest friends even fell out with each other, taking sides in the discussion, (which didn’t help.)

All this only made the green tree feel more and more sad and useless, so she stopped listening to them, in fact she got very good at not hearing anything at all, and folks had to shout to get her attention.

She developed a handy knack of listening to the music of the wind in her branches which cut out all the noise and commotion, the more she concentrated on this the more peaceful she felt, it was a nice rest from having to decide anything.

In time the birds and Creatures all left her alone, so she thought to herself secretly, “Nobody wants to know me, I must be so useless”.

So she concentrated on the wind in her branches that seemed to be her only friend, at times rain would come and sound nice and soothing to her too, but they were only briefly a help, and she started to get a bit cross at the injustice of it all.

Even the woodpecker that made a hole especially to raise her young went away – the green tree imagined, to herself, that that must surly be because Mother Nature was cross, and so she blamed her for being so bossy! And that made her cross too.

Seasons came and went.

Then one winter an exceptionally big storm came and blew a wise old owl off course into this part of the forest where he’d never been before, it blew him into the tree and he sheltered in the wood peckers hole till it was over, and when he came out to see where he was, being a kind and polite owl, he spoke to the tree.

“Thank you so much for the shelter, I don’t know what I would have done if you had not been there, and if it wasn’t for you I might have died!”

The green tree replied, “I didn’t decide to shelter you – I didn’t decide to let you get into my tree trunk – I didn’t decide any of that.”

Being a very wise old owl he could see that something was going on here, and said “But you did decide.”

This was a big shock to the tree “What? How did I decide? I don’t remember deciding!”

Then Owl said, “Everything in life is a decision, you decided to do nothing”

Tree was amazed… shocked even!

Yes, she had decided not to go brown.

Yes, she had decided to choose green.

Yes, and make her own mind up about things.

Yes. Wow! She had been deciding things all along!

The next spring Mother Nature saw that it was true what the wise old owl said, the tree was not lazy or uncaring, it just wanting to be independent all along.

The result of this was very satisfactory indeed; for the rest of time Mother Nature kindly said any trees could stay green forever, if they wanted to.

There was a big celebration, all the creatures of the forest made a party for green tree because she had discovered the way out of her dilemma.

Later when she asked them why they left her alone for so long they replied, “We didn’t like to spoil your concentration when you were deciding to not do anything!” and everyone laughed!

In time many other trees volunteered to stay green all year round – its not easy to withstand all the storms, so no lazy trees could do it – and the leaves and bark grew quite different to the other deciduous trees.

In fact now a big celebration takes place every year in winter (you might have heard of it) just for the evergreen trees to come indoors to the human’s houses because they are special and appreciated.

So in the end – the tree that couldn’t – wasn’t … !

All along it was “The Tree That Did”!

End.

The HYPNOTHERAPIST REGISTER is the largest register of Hypnotherapy Practitioners in the UK and Ireland

www.hypnotherapistregister.com

Stella’s other sites are

www.acupuncture-in-norfolk.com

&

www.spiritualize.net     [note the spelling]

The generalised anxiety disorder is characterised by anxiety symptoms that are present for much of the time and not restricted to specific situations.

Generalised anxiety often accompanies phobias and is extremely common in people who are depressed. It can also be caused by physical illness, such as an overactive thyroid gland, or result from the emotional response to a serious illness such as a heart attack.

Some 15 per cent of people with GAD have a brother, sister or parent with a similar problem. This may reflect an inherited tendency to the disorder or the effects of the family environment. Two thirds of sufferers are women.

PHOBIA

A phobia is a fear that is out of proportion to the situation that causes it and cannot be explained away. The person typically avoids the feared situation, since this helps to reduce the anxiety.

Some phobias represent heightened normal anxiety towards situations that people are evolutionarily ‘prepared’ to fear, eg snakes, heights and sharp objects.

In other instances, a phobia may arise by a non-threatening situation being associated with a traumatic experience. Having a car crash in Spain may lead to a phobia of Spain itself, holidays, driving or flying.

Phobias typically occur in specific situations, eg a fear of dentists. People experience ‘anticipatory anxiety’ when thinking of the situation and so attempt to avoid it. They are common in the general population, but are only severe enough to prove disabling in 2 per cent of people.

Simple phobias are phobias that are specific to objects or situations. Specific phobias include:

Animal phobias (eg dogs, snakes, spiders): the start of these phobias is often in childhood, usually before the age of seven years.

Blood and injury phobias: the fear of blood tests or the sight of blood that results in fainting.

Vertigo: a fear of heights.

Agoraphobia: an intense fear of leaving the home, being in crowded spaces, travelling on public transport and being in any place that is difficult to leave. Around 75 per cent of sufferers are women, and it occurs in just under 1 per cent of people. Agoraphobia may follow a life event and be associated with a fear of ‘what if it comes back while I am away from home’. It commonly occurs with panic attacks. The person may have a panic attack when outside the home and this reinforces the belief that it is safer to stay inside. Agoraphobia is often associated with depression.

Social phobia: a fear of social interaction with others, talking to people, eating, drinking and speaking in public. In contrast to agoraphobia, men and women are affected equally. Many people have a mixture of both agoraphobia and social phobia. Social phobia is also a common symptom of depression.

What should I do if I think I have an anxiety disorder?

Firstly, anxiety symptoms are common and they do not necessarily mean you have an anxiety disorder.Many of the symptoms of anxiety can be frightening. Just realising that they are not medically serious can help greatly.

If you still have concerns, seek help from your GP who can confirm that the symptoms are part of an anxiety disorder (or other mental health problem) rather than a physical illness. This may be straightforward, or it may require physical illnesses to be ruled out by means of various tests. All therapists will advise this. Above all, everybody needs to be able to relax. This is not always easy, and often people need to be taught how to relax. You will need to work hard at learning these skills, but they will be of benefit for the rest of your life.

We often think that stress is bad. This is not always the case. Everyone responds to stress differently. Stress only becomes a problem when it manifests itself through symptoms such as panic attacks, fears and phobias, or lack of confidence. It can also suppress the immune system and lead to illness.

Hypnosis can help to resolve stress by tracing the initial event that established the problem in the first place and replacing it with a more appropriate response. When we learn how to handle stress, it can boost our confidence, both personally and professionally. To feel balanced and at peace with oneself and others is perhaps how you would like to feel?

Many people feel varying degrees of anxiety, and all of them want an easier, more contented life, free of anxiety, and even more importantly, the ability to deal with any stressful situations that are very likely to happen in life, The use of hypnosis and Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP) help people to change behaviours very quickly and deal with anxiety and stress. Usually, a four-session programme is enough to make powerful positive changes that can change your life for good.

A few relaxing and illuminating sessions (sometimes one is enough) can free you from locked-in emotion, and teach the skills that enable you to navigate through difficult times and so help many aspects of our lives, such as …

Building confidence and feeling good about ourselves

Being in control, thinking clearly

Letting go of the past

Relaxing in restful ways

We all want to move forwards with our lives because it’s a healthy attitude to take. However, locked-in emotion, dating back to times of difficulty and stress, can keep us looking backwards, a bit like driving you car and looking in the rear view mirror all the time.

Eastern disciplines, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine, have long emphasised the connection to physical and emotional health, such as anger, worry, fear, grief and obsessions, which do play important parts in the holistic self.

It’s common sense that pains of different kinds need treatments of different kinds too. You would not expect to have a broken bone treated in a non-physical way, nor would you take these kinds of emotional difficulties to the casualty department in your local hospital. When we are emotionally healthy, we bob back up like a cork in life’s waters, with calmness and confidence, but when we aren’t in that happy state what can we do?

Shall I offer you a map for this unknown river?  Or would you rather have a friendly pilot to help you navigate these difficult waters? This is what a therapist is trained to be, a pilot in difficult times, with skills and experience to deal with special situations. Life has taught me now I am in my 60’s that relationships are best met with skills that are built up and acquired over time and with special training the skills come into their own.

Often I am reminded by clients that ‘it’s easy when you know how’, [this is why I am so emphatic in teaching self help,] they say things to me like; “If only I had come to you sooner!” and “Why doesn’t our doctor show us these things?”

MOTIVATION IS THE KEY

WHAT IS HYPNOSIS?

Hypnosis (hypnotic trance) is an altered state of consciousness in which it is possible to communicate with the subconscious mind. You may be surprised to know that it is a very common state which everybody automatically drifts in an out of from time to time.

You know how it is when you get thoroughly lost in a beautiful piece of music, or a good book, or a daydream.   Your attention is completely captured and everyday reality fades into the background as your mind carries you away to a different world of the imagination. You are still conscious, but your consciousness is temporarily altered.   Well believe it or not, that is a form of trance.

In fact we all go through a similar phase just before we go to sleep. When you are being hypnotised, the hypnotist guides you into this same kind of trance state somewhere between being asleep and being awake, and this is called a hypnotic trance.  It is a very pleasant feeling of calmness and deep relaxation.

Contrary to popular belief, when you are hypnotised you are not asleep or unconscious. You will normally have your eyes closed, but you can still hear and feel and even speak.   Indeed, your concentration and awareness actually become heightened.

Different people can experience hypnosis in slightly different ways.   Some people may notice that they feel rather heavy, whilst others may feel light and ‘floaty.’ often the closed eyelids can flutter a little here and there, or there may be a slight tingling sensation in various parts of the body.   However some people experience nothing at all, other than a feeling of deep relaxation.  The experience of hypnosis is a very personal thing, but basically, it is just a very calm and pleasant feeling – rather like being in a daydream

The main requirement to enter hypnotic trance is relaxation, and for most people this is a very gradual process. For some people, entering hypnosis can be rather disappointing because they expect to suddenly ‘go under’ some strange spell and feel extremely weird – but it isn’t like that at all. For most people, there is no sudden feeling of ‘going under’ hypnosis. Sometimes individuals may doubt that they are actually being hypnotised at all because they do not experience the sudden loss of consciousness they expected.

It is quite important that your expectations of hypnosis are realistic, and you understand that it is a gradual, drifting process.   It is important you should understand this because during the induction into hypnosis, if you are mentally interfering all the time by constantly thinking that you are not ‘going under’; this in itself can disrupt the whole process of gradual relaxation. All you need to do is to let yourself go, and concentrate on your hypnotherapists voice so that he or she can help you to relax. When the body and the conscious mind have been sufficiently relaxed, the normal barriers to the subconscious part of the mind also become relaxed, and the subconscious becomes receptive to positive suggestion.

WHAT IS POSITIVE SUGGESTION?

A positive suggestion is a positively worded statement or command, which is given (or suggested) to the subconscious mind. In the relaxed state of hypnosis, the subconscious mind becomes receptive and can accept and store the positive suggestion, and subsequently act upon it. For instance, a smoker can have it suggested to him that he is now a non-smoker, and that suggestion is then left in the subconscious mind, so that the person no longer wishes to smoke.

However, for the suggestion to be properly accepted into the subconscious mind, it is important that the smoker really wants to give up the habit. In brief, positive suggestions can re-programme the mind to bring about beneficial changes.

WHAT IS THE SUBCONSCIOUS / UNCONSCIOUS MIND?

That is a big question – and this is a very brief answer. Your mind consists of two parts; the conscious and the subconscious.  The conscious mind inhabits the surface level.   This part of the mind is where you do all your everyday conscious thinking.

At a deeper level, we have the subconscious mind, and this part of the mind deals with your unconscious actions – the things you do automatically, heart beating, lungs breathing etc., In the subconscious you keep your habits, and also your habitual fears – and from here all your automatic responses are triggered.

The subconscious also stores your memories – and all the things that have had a hand in making you what you are today. It is the home of the primitive self preservation, you’ve heard of the ‘flight / fight / feint’ reaction, this is by-passing the ‘thinking’ bits and hypnotherapy makes use of this ‘road’.

HOW IS A HYPNOTIC TRANCE BROUGHT ABOUT?

There are several ways to take a person into that altered state of awareness, and different hypnotists will use their own favorite methods.  Stage hypnotists and hypnotherapists may employ very different methods indeed. Some hypnotherapists like to start with some form of fascination.

Honestly, not many people ask you to gaze into their ‘piercing eyes,’ or stare at a swinging watch these days.  That sort of thing has more to do with old-fashioned Hollywood movies than modern hypnotherapy. Most hypnotherapists use relaxation techniques, and you are also likely to be asked to concentrate on certain things.   For instance you may be asked to focus your attention on your breathing, or to imagine various things.

During the induction,  the therapist is likely to speak to you in a particular way,  and at a particular tempo,  which is designed to gently slow down the brainwaves.   This will help you to gradually drift into the pleasant state of hypnotic trance, in which you will experience feelings of relaxation and well-being. Calming words which send special messages to the brain to help you to become very relaxed and tranquil. are used, however, these words are not intended to send you to sleep.

Hypnosis is not a state of being unconscious, but merely of having your consciousness altered – indeed your mind remains clear and focused, and you are likely to remember most of what was said to you.

Some people are very easy to hypnotise, whilst others take longer. Most people remain in a fairly light state of hypnotic trance, whilst a very small percentage naturally go to much deeper levels.   Sometimes people drift in and out of lighter and deeper states.   All this is perfectly normal.

Deep states of hypnosis are not required for successful therapy.

COULD I BE HYPNOTISED AGAINST MY WILL?

No, your co-operation is required. It is not possible for anyone to make you rob a bank and bring them the proceeds!

CAN ANYBODY BE HYPNOTISED, OR DO YOU HAVE TO BE WEAK MINDED?

On the contrary, you need a reasonable amount of intelligence in order to be hypnotised.   The people who respond best to hypnosis are those who are capable of concentration, imagination and mental dexterity.  Most people can be hypnotised.   The exceptions are those who are mentally below the ‘normal’, young children, or those who are ‘high’ on drugs or alcohol. Everybody else (who wishes to properly co-operate with the process) can be hypnotised. Obviously, if somebody cannot understand what is required if them, or if they are resisting for some reason, they will have difficulty entering into hypnosis.

WILL I LOSE CONTROL OF MYSELF AND COULD I BE MADE TO SAY OR DO ANYTHING AGAINST MY WILL OR NATURE?

No. You will know what is going on and you will retain your intelligence and your self-control.   Hypnotherapy requires the client and the therapist to work together in a spirit of co-operation, in order to help you to control your own mind. For hypnotherapy to be successful, you need to be comfortable with what is going on in the session.

If any suggestion was given to you with which you did not agree, you would reject it.   If anything were suggested to you that for instance, went against your beliefs, or moral code, you would be shocked out of hypnosis. Some people say they were not sure that anything happened, if they ‘went under’, this is because it is a natural process just like having a ‘day-dream’, we’ve all done that, havn’t we?

IF YOU DON’T LOSE CONTROL, WHAT ABOUT THOSE STAGE SHOWS WHERE PEOPLE DO ALL SORTS OF SILLY THINGS?

Successful stage hypnosis requires willing volunteers. These people obviously have a desire to join in the show and perform, or they wouldn’t volunteer to go on stage in the first place, or the actor/ hypnotist would let them go back into the audience. What we don’t see is the back-stage preparation of the participants.

Hypnosis merely helps them to lift the inhibitions, which they may ordinarily have against performing. Please do not confuse stage hypnosis and hypnotherapy.  The aims and methods are very different.

IS HYPNOSIS DANGEROUS AND ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?

Hypnotherapy is not dangerous.  In skilled hands hypnotherapy is a proven therapeutic aid.  No drugs should ever be used, or indeed are needed, and there are no unwanted side effects, which is a wonderful plus for the hospital patient, and in particular post operative care. The aid to healing is very beneficial.

The aim of hypnotherapy is to bring about beneficial changes to certain problems, which have their origins in the mind. There are many branches of hypnotherapy and hundreds of uses. Probably the most widely known use is to help people to stop smoking.   However, hypnotherapy is also used to break many other habits, and to strengthen self-control. Hypnotherapy is used to overcome stress – and stress related ailments.

It is very useful for calming nerves, and overcoming fears and phobias – and it is wonderful for general confidence boosting. Where the problems are more complex and there are deeper psychological indications, hypnotherapy can be used in an analytical capacity, to give an insight into the subconscious triggers, which can cause many unexplained symptoms. More specialized branches can even deal with pain relief.   You may have heard of hypnosis being used as a natural anesthetic in surgical operations, or to help with childbirth.

Most hypnotherapists cover a wide range of subjects, but individual therapists will supply you with a list of the specific problems they treat. Occasionally individual therapists may specialise in certain areas, which are of particular interest to them.

WHAT IS HYPNOSIS?

Hypnosis (hypnotic trance) is an altered state of consciousness in which it is possible to communicate with the subconscious mind. You may be surprised to know that it is a very common state which everybody automatically drifts in an out of from time to time.

You know how it is when you get thoroughly lost in a beautiful piece of music, or a good book, or a daydream.   Your attention is completely captured and everyday reality fades into the background as your mind carries you away to a different world of the imagination. You are still conscious, but your consciousness is temporarily altered.   Well believe it or not, that is a form of trance.

In fact we all go through a similar phase just before we go to sleep. When you are being hypnotised, the hypnotist guides you into this same kind of trance state somewhere between being asleep and being awake, and this is called a hypnotic trance.  It is a very pleasant feeling of calmness and deep relaxation.

Contrary to popular belief, when you are hypnotised you are not asleep or unconscious. You will normally have your eyes closed, but you can still hear and feel and even speak.   Indeed, your concentration and awareness actually become heightened.

The aim of hypnotherapy is to bring about beneficial changes to certain problems, which have their origins in the mind. There are many branches of hypnotherapy and hundreds of uses. Probably the most widely known use is to help people to stop smoking.   However, hypnotherapy is also used to break many other habits, and to strengthen self-control. Hypnotherapy is used to overcome stress – and stress related ailments.

It is very useful for calming nerves, and overcoming fears and phobias – and it is wonderful for general confidence boosting. Where the problems are more complex and there are deeper psychological indications, hypnotherapy can be used in an analytical capacity, to give an insight into the subconscious triggers, which can cause many unexplained symptoms. More specialized branches can even deal with pain relief.   You may have heard of hypnosis being used as a natural anesthetic in surgical operations, or to help with childbirth.

Most hypnotherapists cover a wide range of subjects, but individual therapists will supply you with a list of the specific problems they treat. Occasionally individual therapists may specialise in certain areas, which are of particular interest to them.

What is stress?

Mechanical stress:

1. The average amount of force exerted per unit area. It is the internal resistance a material offers to being deformed and is measured in terms of the applied load..
2. Compressive stress, the stress applied to materials resulting in their compaction. It is the ability of a material to resist being crushed.
3. Tensile stress (also referred to as tension) is the stress state leading to expansion.
4. Yield stress, the stress at which a material begins to deform plastically.

Biological stress:

1. Stress (biology) physiological or psychological stress; some types include:
2. Chronic stress, persistent stress which can lead to illness and mental disorder
3. Workplace stress, stress caused by employment.

Quote: “Anybody can become angry – that is easy, but to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way – that is not within everybody’s power and is not easy.” ~ Aristotle

Throughout my years of experience I have found that no matter what healing is needed, physical or emotional, below the surface if stress is a factor it will inhibit the whole process.

Holistic healing is on all the levels, no matter what your beliefs regarding eastern or western medicine may be, the fact remains that when we are calm and relaxed the body and mind will use all our energies to repair any damage no matter where. Having stress in our lives interferes with the happy healing process like snow in the TV set.

In ancient times Roman soldiers were not expected to march all day without food and rest, even their slaves were allowed the basic needs – if only as a valuable investment! Well trained healers look at all aspects of a person’s life, work, rest and play are viewed holistically.

So, look at this test below and consider if your unconscious mind is trying to tell you something, perhaps there are signs you have ignored in the past, the hint will come to you in one way or another from your inner self, the physical, the emotional or indeed the spiritual.

1.Do you try to do everything yourself and feel overwhelmed when you are unable to?

2.Are you exhausted?

3.Do you avoid exercise?

4.Are you often irritated at yourself and with others?

5.Do your friends, work colleagues, and family tell you that you make mountains out of molehills?

6.Do you tend to bottle up your emotions, keep a tight lid on them, and keep everything inside?

7.Do you have difficulty getting off to sleep or staying asleep at night?

8.Do you have difficulty handling all the jobs or tasks you need to do each day?

9.Do you feel like your way is the only way to accomplish things?

10.Do you spend a lot of time complaining about yourself, other people,

or events that have happened to you in your life in the past?

11.Do you set unrealistic goals for yourself and others?

12.Do you frequently procrastinate over big decisions?

13.Do you eat unhealthily?

14.Do you loose control of your emotions or ‘lose it’ often?

15.Do you often find it hard to see humour in situations that others find funny?

16.Do you often feel depressed?

17.Do you avoid connecting with friends and family or colleagues?

18.Do you get frequently angry if people keep you waiting, or when you are kept waiting by something?

19.Are you depressed or anxious?

Only YOU can decide to alter anything for yourself, it’s no good expecting any improvement without some action, however small to begin with.

So try this, tonight before you go to sleep say a short prayer. Here’s an example, “To whom it may concern, please help me.” I call this the agnostics prayer.

Stella’s Location: Reepham in Norfolk, East Anglia, is about 20 minutes from the outskirts of Norwich. Appointments are made by telephone: 01603 879126

The HYPNOTHERAPIST REGISTER

The largest register of Hypnotherapy Practitioners in the UK and Ireland

www.hypnotherapistregister.com

For more information you can contact me through the comment box below.

NOTE: I send specific detailed information by personal email.

PAIN REALLY IS ‘ALL IN THE MIND’ …. says who?

• 22:00 23 June 2003
• New Scientist.com news service
• Journal reference: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1430684100)

Doctors and nurses have known for many years that some people are more sensitive to pain than others. Now brain scans of people experiencing the same painful stimulus have provided the first proof that this is so. But the scans also suggest that how much something hurts really is “all in the mind”.

“We saw a huge variation between responses to the same stimulus,” says project leader Bob Coghill of the Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. “The message is: trust what patients are telling you.”

Coghill tested the pain tolerance of 17 healthy volunteers by applying heat to the back of their calves. He varied the heat from around body temperature to 49 °C, the temperature of very hot washing-up water.

Volunteers asked to rate the pain on a scale of zero to 10 showed huge variations. One resilient volunteer rated pain at the hottest temperature at just over one, whereas another could scarcely bear it at all, rating it at almost nine.

********************

QUESTION: Can hypnotherapy help me when I am in pain?

Many people, including health professionals as a means of improving or enhancing the quality of life, are increasingly accepting hypnotherapy. It is an effective and proven aid that can assist with all sorts of life-affecting issues. If you are wondering how hypnosis can help with your pain management, then look no further.

Thankfully, we can effectively “switch off” or “turn down” pain almost as easily as we would switch off light or turn a dimmer switch, how is this possible? Because pain is a sensation which is dependent on the consciousness, so remove the conscious awareness of pain and you have … no pain. Too simple?  Not at all, hypnosis takes the conscious and puts it aside to ask the unconscious to help, and there you have it, both these are only going to act in your best interests, the self preservation factor again. It is a well know fact that distraction may temporarily remove many sensations including that of pain.

But first also we have to take into consideration what cause that pain is serving, is it a warning to stop doing something before it harms a person, either physical or mental pain comes to serve this purpose. For this reason your hypnotherapist will want to know who your doctor is if s/he can contact him / her and what is the diagnostic cause of the pain.

Pain is an unconsciously controlled signal and hypnosis works best in helping us to exert some level of control over our unconscious mind and those functions, which run ‘beneath’ our conscious awareness.

Thought Field Therapy [TFT] though sounding rather scientific, is simply using acupressure points to remove upsets in our body’s many systems, it is sometimes called ‘tapping therapy’, and is proven very effective with the manny kinds of trauma – operations and serious illness for both patient and their families – it has been pioneered in war-torn countries and also with the victims of different disasters.

TFT or ‘tapping’ as it’s become known as, can help with the stress of pain but not mend a broken bone!

You might have already tried several different “alternative” therapies and have found that they have perhaps given you some temporary relief but the problems returned and could now seem even worse than before. Perhaps you have heard about the significant difference hypnotherapy has made to other people’s lives, but still can’t decide if it is right for you.

Hypnotherapy is not an alternative, but a complementary therapy, the majority of doctors are more than willing to train in this interesting science, and actively encourage their patients to employ this form of self-help.

Looking at this website is your first step to achieve positive change in your life. The latest techniques are employed to help you achieve your desired state.

Don’t be Sad

Don’t be Nervous

Don’t Smoke

Don’t Think of a ‘Pink Elephant’

If you read those words (without just scanning across them) and still managed NOT to do all those things, then you’re superhuman, because you see, it’s impossible to not think of something without exactly that precise thing springing to mind.

Pain is just like this, an intrusion into the thoughts, as I’m sure you don’t need to be told! The only way to permanently make any change in the system is to firmly implant the new thinking into the subconscious and make it your new way of life permanently, and that’s where hypnotherapy comes in.

So, all this talk about using the power of positive thinking and will-power to stop smoking or get out of a depressed mood is balderdash. Your imagination and inner feelings and thoughts will always win hands-down against will-power.

That’s not to say that making affirmations would not work. If you repeatedly say to yourself that you are getting better with each day that comes, it will soon become accepted deep-down and will inevitably become a new part of your being.

HYPNOSIS is an altered state, a special psychological state, resembling sleep only superficially, and marked by the functioning of the individual at a level of awareness other than the ordinary conscious state. The state is characterised by a degree of increased receptiveness, during which a therapist can suggest that a client changes their perception of their reality in a way that improves their lives.

There are many different ways to induce the hypnotic state, most include suggestions for relaxation, calmness, and well-being. Instructions to imagine or think about pleasant experiences are also commonly included in hypnotic inductions.

People respond to hypnosis in different ways. Some describe hypnosis as a normal state of focused attention, in which they feel very calm and relaxed. Regardless of how and to what degree they respond, most people describe the experience as very pleasant.

Some people are very responsive to hypnotic suggestions and others are less responsive. A person’s ability to experience hypnotic suggestions can be inhibited by fears and concerns arising from some common misconceptions. Contrary to some depictions of hypnosis in books, movies or television, people who have been hypnotised do not lose control over their behaviour. They typically remain aware of who they are and where they are, and unless amnesia has been specifically suggested, they usually remember what transpired during hypnosis. Hypnosis makes it easier for people to experience suggestions, but it does not force them to have these experiences.

Unlike some drugs and treatments, hypnotherapists say “hypnotism has no side effects, causes no allergic reactions, is not addictive” and is relatively cheap, since patients can be taught to hypnotise themselves. Moreover, hypnotic effects are real as some studies involving brain scans have shown changes in brain activity during hypnosis.

TINNITUS RELIEF

The word tinnitus comes from the Latin word ‘tinnire’ which means ‘to ring’. Anyone who suffers from this condition will tell you how unpleasant it is. For the symptomatic relief of Tinnitus, hypnosis and the therapy associated can often be extremely effective.

The Symptoms

Many people who have tinnitus describe it as a ringing in one or both ears. Other people experience it as a whining, buzzing, humming, hissing or some other distressing sound. Experience of the sound can range from a background noise to a level where other sounds are drowned out. In extreme cases, tinnitus can interfere with a person’s sleep, normal daily activities and the ability to engage in quiet pastimes. This in itself can cause a significant amount of psychological stress.

Causes

There are many different causes for tinnitus but it most often results from hearing disorders. It can also appear after an infection. The most common cause occurs when hearing has been damaged by exposure to excessive noise. It can also be associated with age-related hearing loss and Meniere’s disease. Certain drugs which can also be linked with tinnitus. In a percentage of cases, there is no known cause for the symptoms although the development of tinnitus has occurred after a period of depression or stress. It is also apparent that the symptoms are exacerbated by emotional stress.

Hypnosis and Therapy

Using some basic techniques, you can discover surprisingly effective ways of reducing, controlling or even eliminating your awareness of your Tinnitus symptoms. Once learned, these techniques are fairly easy to apply and can be put to use in almost any situation, even those ‘quiet’ moments when your symptoms are often at their worse.

What can you expect to notice afterwards?

In an ideal situation, you can expect the overall level of your Tinnitus to appear to decrease and turn down, so that it no longer seems to be so intrusive. In some cases you may even be able to ‘turn it off’ for periods. This is a normal function of the mind, as anyone who wears a hearing aid will confirm, at first all the sound from everywhere are much too loud, and then after a while one can jus hear what is wanted.

Is this genuine? Can hypnosis and hypnotherapy really help with Tinnitus?

In many cases, absolutely. There is no ‘magic’ involved and this is not necessarily a ‘cure’ in medical terms. Using this particular approach the hypnosis and hypnotherapy can primarily help you reduce your awareness of the Tinnitus – like not noticing the humming of your computer – until of course you draw your attention to it.

Different approaches, however, can use the calming and relaxing effects of the hypnosis itself to help you reduce stress – one of the primary aggravators of Tinnitus symptoms – as well as resolve any underlying emotional issues, which are often contributing factors.

Will this work for anyone? What if you can’t be hypnotised?

The principles and techniques are applicable to all Tinnitus sufferers, though the results achieved will vary from person to person.

Most of the symptomatic-relief techniques do involve an element of self-hypnosis, which you will be able to learn during the sessions, and anyone who wants to experience self-hypnosis, can – so there is no need to worry about not being able to be hypnotised.

How long does this take? How many sessions will you need?

You would normally allow an average of 3 or 4 sessions to cover this properly, spread over a few weeks, but more will be available if required. Sessions last approximately 1 hour each.

Self-Hypnosis

You will be taught self-hypnosis so that you can habituate yourself to calling on your ability to not notice the sounds so much. Since tinnitus is exacerbated by stress too, you can learn to use self-hypnosis to strengthen yourself so dealing more calmly with stress, and also how to insulate yourself against stressful situations. I teach many methods of self help and my patients tell me it is most empowering. One person recently said, “The power of being in control is just so liberating!”

THE COST of treatment is dependant on the monetary resources of the client. I have helped many people through the holistic healing approach, from the busy man working all day in his office, who has a hidden fear of public speaking, to the retired farmer who’s back pain has troubled him all his working life.

There are programmes for different needs; to become a non-smoker takes two sessions of an hour to be efficient. The Weight loss will need a little longer, five sessions is usual. Please enquire for your own special circumstances.

LOCATION: Reepham in Norfolk, East Anglia is about 20 minutes from the outskirts of Norwich. Appointments are made by telephone: 01603 879126

Looking for a Hypnotherapist near you? Go to The National Council For Hypnotherapists at:

www.hypnotherapists.org.uk

To find out more leave a message below, please note I reply through the Email system.

HYPNOSIS / DERMATOLOGICAL CONDITIONS

The skin is a mirror of the inner self, and we frequently use phrases which reflect this: ‘getting under your skin’, ‘thin skinned’, ‘thick skinned’, ‘itching to do something’ for example. These all reflect the fact that it is recognised as a measure of our vulnerability. We use these phrases without thinking about them. It is only when the skin begins to malfunction that these expressions really start to have a meaning.

To understand where non-viral or bacterial skin conditions come from, it is appropriate to look at where the skin develops when we are in embryonic stage. The epidermis and nervous system originate from the ectoderm, and as such, when the embryo fully develops a strong series of connections exist between the two. (This is the method by which Auricular Therapy functions)

Therefore, an imbalance within the nervous system may frequently be reflected in the epidermis itself. It can be a signal of an implicit vulnerability to a situation, or a response to that initiating trigger itself. Therefore, treating the symptom alone for psychogenic disorders is not as effective as treating the trigger as well. This is why hypnosis for skin conditions can be so productive.

Hypnosis is effective for the treatment of dermatological conditions in three specific ways. Firstly, treatment of the root cause; secondly, remission of the symptom, and finally through treating the conditioned response to the symptom. It is very important to be aware of the very distressing effects which these types of condition have on the individual, and their sense of self.

CONTROL: With any condition with a psychogenic component, the patient suffers from feelings of being out of control and this is made worse by the visibility of the symptom. This visibility has social implications and can hold the patient back from forming the social bonds which in themselves can take them away from the problem, i.e. manipulate the symptom

MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS; which is of most concern to you? The emphasis here is on which element of the condition you wish to take control of first.

a) The cause;

b) The symptom;

c) The reaction to the symptom ~ i.e. scratching

STRESS: Stress increases the vulnerability of the autonomic nervous system and this has a direct effect on the epidermis. This increases the dermatological symptoms and sets the patient into an anxiety loop. The worse the external stress becomes, the more the autonomic nervous system reacts in response, the worse any dermatological reaction. One of the most effective ways the therapist can help in alleviating the symptom is to teach the patient self-hypnosis for stress reduction.

DEALING WITH THE SYMPTOM: As the symptom provoked can itself cause additional problems, such as poor self-image, and a lack of confidence, this aspect is addressed through ego-strengthening techniques. A final aspect in dealing with the symptom in this type of hypnotherapeutic intervention is the generation of new, healthy skin.

The view of Traditional Chinese Medicine is this: Psoriasis, eczema and many other complaints are diseases created by an imbalance in the immune system, which affects the skin and sometimes also the joints. When they affect the skin they commonly appear as red scaly elevated patches called plaques, which frequently occur on the elbows or all over the body, fingernails and toenails are often affected too.

The prevalence of psoriasis alone in Western populations is estimated to be around 2-3%. It affects both sexes equally and occurs at all ages.

Several factors are thought to aggravate these conditions, including stress and excessive alcohol consumption. Individuals may also suffer from depression and loss of self-esteem. As such, quality of life is an important factor in evaluating the severity of the disease.

Hypnotherapy aims to remove all the psychological reasons why the immune system is acting inappropriately and by reducing any stress and improving any self-esteem problem it gradually improves the skin condition.

The use of healing visualisation I have found to be particularly effective as is TFT when the patient has often been feeling powerless to help themselves, sometimes for many years.

CONCLUSION: Working with dermatological conditions is one of the most rewarding types of treatment in hypnosis. The changes which take place can be viewed directly, and as the condition improves, so confidence increases, and the patient gets into a positive mind set about themselves and their future. If you wish to undertake a course of hypnotherapy for dermatological conditions, go to your medical practitioner first to check that there is not a physiological basis for your condition.

Location: Reepham in Norfolk, East Anglia, is about 20 minutes from the outskirts of Norwich. Appointments are made by telephone: 01603 879126

The cost of treatment is dependant on the monetary resources of the client. I have helped many people through the holistic healing approach, from the busy man working all day in his office, who has a hidden fear of public speaking, to the retired farmer who’s back pain has troubled him all his working life.

If unable to answer the phone I will ask you to leave a message speaking slowly and clearly, and give your contact number so I can return your call as soon as is possible.

The HYPNOTHERAPIST REGISTER

The largest register of Hypnotherapy Practitioners in the UK and Ireland

www.hypnotherapistregister.com

From ‘Wikipedia’: the free encyclopaedia “A phobia” (from the Greek: φόβος, phóbos, “fear”). ‘Morbid fear’ is an irrational, intense, persistent fear of certain situations, activities, things, or people. The main symptom of this disorder is the excessive, unreasonable desire to avoid the feared subject. When the fear is beyond one’s control, or if the fear is interfering with daily life, then a diagnosis under one of the anxiety disorders can be made.”

Phobias …

in the clinical meaning of the term, are the most common form of anxiety disorders. An American study by the National Institute of Mental Health found that between 8.7% and 18.1% of Americans suffer from phobias. Broken down by age and gender, the study found that phobias were the most common mental illness among women in all age groups and the second most common illness among men older than 25.

Causes

It is generally accepted that phobias arise from a combination of external events and internal predispositions. In a famous experiment, Martin Seligman used classical conditioning to establish phobias of snakes and flowers. The results of the experiment showed that it took far fewer shocks to create an adverse response to a picture of a snake than to a picture of a flower, leading to the conclusion that certain objects may have a genetic predisposition to being associated with fear Many specific phobias can be traced back to a specific triggering event, usually a traumatic experience at an early age.

Social phobias and agoraphobia have more complex causes that are not entirely known at this time. It is believed that heredity, genetics, and brain chemistry combine with life-experiences to play a major role in the development of anxiety disorders, phobias and panic attacks.

At certain times of the year, most especially on dull days, we might be thinking about holidays.

Does the fear of flying or travelling put you off booking holidays? Do you want to be slimmer so that you can look your best on the beach?

Hypnotherapy and NLP can help you to overcome your fears and anxieties.

You may be looking at this website because you want to make some changes. Ask yourself if there is anything stopping you from going forward, and leaving behind those old fears and anxieties?

Thought Field Therapy [TFT] is combining the emotional and the material aspects of healing, and ‘tapping’ as it has become know, is a natural part of my holistic healing service.

Call now and see what a little help can do – and enjoy all that holiday, including the journey this time!

Confidence

We all have different amounts of confidence within us. Past events, and negative experiences can stop us from being as confident as we would like to be. It may feel like someone or something is chipping away at our self-esteem, and that when we think about things we would like or have to do, we feel nervous and anxious, and then we feel sabotaged by our own feelings.

Without confidence we feel as though our choices are being limited. We stop doing the things we would like to do because we may fear we are not good enough or have low self-worth.

Public presentations, interviews or appraisals often fill us with fear and anxiety, far beyond the level we are able to deal with. Rapid heart rate, sweating and dry mouth are all symptoms of anxiety. Dizziness and the feeling of wanting to run away are common feelings when under pressure.

Hypnosis, and working with the unconscious mind will help you to get rid of limiting beliefs you may have about your own abilities.

Could you benefit from finding out how to be as confident as you would like to be? After one session you can begin to notice all the differences that make the difference.

Taken from Nelson Mandela’s inaugural speech:

“…Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves:
’Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people around you won’t feel insecure. We are all meant to shine as children do. We are born to manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically releases others…”

Everyone has a philosophy, if it’s only “Live and let live.” Our Deepest Mind is an untold source of everything we will ever need to survive, every lesson from the beginning of our lives is recorded there. Some of it, the scientists are coming to believe, is not just recorded in the genetic pattern, but in the spiritual template of existence. Regression is a very interesting subject.

All scientists agree that existence is a combination of positive and negative, of light and dark, we cannot have energy without this polarity, the yin and yang of the ancients. Our own freewill comes in the choice of how we balance these energetic factors, how we make light or dark a predominance in our lives, its up to us.

Self help is important to empower the inner being, it continues the process of regeneration, revitalisation, and realisation that allows the unfolding of gentle awareness into sure certainty that we are indeed all entitled to betterment. This comes with a built-in package, the desire to do something, to get on with it, to move foreword, to progress, yes, to help ourselves!

In living in the constrictions of a small life we limit our opportunities, we inhibit the opening of our minds to receive that which we are entitled to, as Nelson Mandela says, as children of God. It is for us all to reach out and grasp, it is for us all to be open in this way, to think outwards.

As we allow our true selves to grow in the light, like the universe we expand out exponentially, all the energies of existence are used in this way, the same rules of physics that govern this material planet still rule the worlds that are as yet unknown, the inner and outer worlds of actuality and possibility.

We know that all physical things must have a plan, a blueprint, and this plan starts with thought, an idea of what might be. Any car in the street started with a person at some time in the past visualising what might be possible, and actualising it.

Thought is an energy that is so powerful it is forbidden in some countries, it is punishable by death. Free speech and human rights have long been fighting in the dark to emerge triumphant into the light, since the first tyrant discovered the controlling strength of thought. Just think of it, the philosophers and teachers are the first to be destroyed.

Do we all allow ourselves to take all our thought power for granted? Do we become complacent, lazy? Not so much ‘hiding our light under the bushel’ but perhaps letting the oil run low. We can train ourselves through positive thought patterns and beneficial habits to be the people we truly are when at our best, yes, even the people we are entitled to be. Perhaps it is our weariness that allows us to forget this heritage as children of the spirit.

Self Hypnosis therapy is an educational approach based on scientific principles, which help to understand the workings of the various ‘built in’ survival systems we all have, and our own basic philosophy. It enables a person to generate solutions to problems based on techniques which are more effective than simply conscious coping strategies, (which can involve months and even years, of other processes ‘digging out’ the past and desensitising the mind and emotional sensitivities along a hard and troubled road)

Hypnosis significantly affects the activity in a part of the brain responsible for detecting and responding to errors, says John Gruzelier, a psychologist at Imperial College in London. Using functional brain imaging, he also found that hypnosis affects an area that controls higher-level executive functions, it measurably changes how the brain works.

“This explains why, under hypnosis, people can do outrageous things that ordinarily they wouldn’t dream of doing,” says Gruzelier, who presented his study at the British Association for the Advancement of Science Festival in Exeter, UK.

You might have picked up a sensationalised picture of hypnosis from the media or stage shows. But does that mean that anyone can be made to do anything? Of course not! Self-preservation governs everybody, and in a state of relaxation this is particularly true, and that’s why no one has ever been injured in a state of hypnosis or done anything they weren’t “up for”, they just let go their inhibitions. Please put that out of your mind, you should have a really enjoyable as well as powerful experience, during which you are always in control.

What can it help? The common assistance’s are to alter behaviour such as smoking or weight control, other help can be given with phobias, fear of heights – spiders – flying etc. Phobias and stress related emotional issues ‘tied’ to past events you see in the personal experience related below.

Both physical and emotional issues have a debilitating ‘knock-on’ effect and the rehabilitation / recovery from illness or operations is a particularly good example of how hypnotherapy can speed the healing process.

A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.

Years ago I had a fear of trains, not a big problem you might say, but family holidays were spoilt for me because of it. Although I knew what had caused this fear a long time ago, I still got stressed out when I had to take a train journey, and the symptoms were not nice, believe me!

So, what happened with the hypnotherapy? I needed, as it happens, just one session taking me back on a ‘time-line’ and then with the self-help lessons I was ‘sorted’, and now even years later I am taking my grandson for train rides here in Norfolk, no worries!

At every point the therapist will ask if you are willing to let go of old habits; everything needs your permission. S/he is just there to be an experienced guide for you, who knows the territory, and is there to take you only where you want to go, at the pace that is right for you, and by the most pleasant route possible!

One definition of hypnotherapy is ‘using a light trance state for positive change’. Each time we visualise in our own mind an event in order to recall it, we go into a light trance state so we can draw that memory out of our ’store-house’. Visualisation is the lightest form of trance, which might be used to take a person on a guided journey.

You might think that a deep trance is necessary but that is not the case. Any time that you are absorbed in or focusing on something you are effectively in a light trance. Even watching television or reading a book is a form of trance, as is looking at a computer screen as you are doing now; it is an altered state of awareness.

What does it feel like? You might well say, “I didn’t feel hypnotised” or “I heard every word”. Usually it feels as if you could get up straight away if you wanted to, but you just can’t be bothered. You’re not going to a hypnotherapist to be ‘hypnotised’; you are going to have your life improved / adjusted, the therapist’s job is to create positive change in you, not to knock you out!

I have used visualisation in teaching for many years, and a surprising success was as an instructor with groups of trainee healers. After the training session each student was amazed at the amount of healing that was brought about through this simple structure of visualisation and light trance to themselves! Each had a story to tell of the interesting journey they had been on that evening. I had not even tried to change them, but allowed them to change anything they wanted by themselves.

What do you need for this amazing healing? Only the ability to concentrate and take suggestions, that’s all, your knowledge that all is well comes through confidence in your therapist, and if you are not sure, try another therapist.

The cost of treatment is dependant on the monetary resources of the client. I have helped many people through the holistic healing approach, from the busy man working all day in his office, who has a hidden fear of public speaking, to the retired farmer who’s back pain has troubled him all his working life.

If unable to answer the phone I will ask you to leave a message speaking slowly and clearly, and give your contact number so I can return your call as soon as is possible.

Stella is located in Reepham in Norfolk, East Anglia, is about 20 minutes from the outskirts of Norwich. Appointments are made by telephone: 01603 879126

The cost of treatment is dependant on the monetary resources of the client. I have helped many people through the holistic healing approach, from the busy man working all day in his office, who has a hidden fear of public speaking, to the retired farmer who’s back pain has troubled him all his working life.

If unable to answer the phone I will ask you to leave a message speaking slowly and clearly, and give your contact number so I can return your call as soon as is possible.

The HYPNOTHERAPIST REGISTER

The largest register of Hypnotherapy Practitioners in the UK and Ireland

www.hypnotherapistregister.com

It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the most responsive to change.

Charles Darwin