How Does it Feel to be Hypnotised?

Some people think being hypnotised is the same as being be unconscious ­- there's no point in that, is there? As a hypnotherapist, I want you to enjoy the experience, not sleep through it! Being hypnotized is a different experience for everyone, and is very often different each time you go under hypnosis. If you can imagine the point when you are just about to drop off to sleep, or about to wake ­- that in-between state - is very similar to being in hypnosis.

You usually remember everything that happens, occasionally you might drift off and not notice something, but that is just part of normal life and is nothing to worry about!

You can't be made to do anything you don't want to do and you're always in control , so it's important that you really do want to make those changes in your life. For example, you need to want to stop smoking because you want to, not because someone has told you to!

Hypnotherapy is really nothing like those stage shows you may have seen. People who participate in these shows do actually want to do so; the stage hypnotist can't make you join in if you don't want to.

You may not have realised it, but you have experienced hypnosis many times in your life. Yes, really, you have! Ever been reading a book and then wondered what you have just read? Or have been so absorbed in a task that you don't hear anything going on around you. There's been no 'chatter' in your mind; you've just been doing it without thinking. This is a state of hypnosis!

Although it has not yet been scientifically proven if we humans really do have both a conscious and an unconscious mind, let's assume we do have and use that idea as useful metaphor to explain hypnosis.

Our conscious mind does all the logical and rational work, and holds our short-term memory and willpower. It does the day-to-day things we do to live life: deciding what to wear, how to cross the road and understanding things about and around us. But the flaw is that it doesn't draw on all the information you have stored in your mind. It's like a light shining in a very dark room; you can only see the part of the room that the light is shined upon. So we need to turn your conscious mind's attention 'inside out' to focus the light on your inner self - the unconscious mind. This is the part we work with in hypnosis.

Our unconscious mind is - literally - our safe deposit box of everything we have ever learnt or done, it retains your beliefs, long-term memory and instincts. It is, in many ways, your 'Automatic Pilot'. This information is tucked away safely, ready to spring to the front of your conscious mind when you need it. So, for example, if you have a piece of music that reminds you of a special occasion, as soon as you hear that music, you instantly think of that moment in time.

In hypnosis we can allow your conscious mind to 'rest' while we focus on your unconscious mind to make the changes you want. You remain in control and very deeply relaxed, relaxed to the extent that what your hypnotist says goes into your creative, sub-conscious mind without your logical conscious mind disagreeing or arguing.

Hypnotherapy is a collaborative process. In my client sessions I may ask you do some things, like opening or closing your eyes. You just have to let your mind do what it wants to do, as much or as little as you want. You might hear chatter in your mind, too, perhaps asking 'is this working, am I in hypnosis?' This is your conscious mind chatting and thinking - just let it, and don't worry about what it says! Or if you prefer, just say 'ssshh' and ask it to be quiet!

We work together to change the things you want to change, I help/guide you to use your imagination to make those changes. You can use your imagination any way you want. You can make pictures or sounds ­- anything that works for you. If I asked you to imagine the sound of the sea, you understand what I mean, don't you? You don't actually have to hear it to know what it sounds like, do you?

Some people say their body feels heavy, others say they feel as if they are floating - I can't say what you will feel like; it's your experience. I can, however, say that hypnosis is a wonderful experience and a fantastic way to make progressive and beneficial changes to your life.

Contact Lindsay Shepherd at Lindsay Shepherd Hypnotherapy on 01202 511096, 077136 24305 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   www.lindsayshepherdhypnotheraphy.co.uk