On this page I answer some of the FAQs about hypnosis and gut directed hypnotherapy (GDH).
If you have a question (or two!) pop it in the contact form below and I'll provide you with an answer with 48 hours.
What is Hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is the therapeutic use of hypnosis. Today hypnotherapy is a widely accepted adjunct to conventional treatment for a range of problems both physical and mental.
What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is simply a communication process that involves the use of language to direct and absorb attention, lead cognition and seed ideas, for the purpose of enabling someone to utilise their personal resources so they experience a temporary, or permanent, altered subjective reality. Let's take a closer look at this definition.
It’s a process. It’s something we do, that we actively engage in, rather than being something that is done to us. It’s a process you choose and are motivated and willing to engage in. If you don’t want to experience hypnosis you won't. It’s as simple as that.
It’s a communication process. The hypnotist communicates with the hypnotee through words and body language. Since ancient times, there have always been people who have been aware of the effects of their words and ideas upon others. Some have realised that they can take this awareness and systematically apply it, to change the way people think, feel and behave. Not all of them have called themselves hypnotists. They may have been called leaders, healers, mystics or shamans, advertisers. Nowadays they might be called a politician, salesperson, thought leader, manager, therapist, coach or magician
Direct and absorb attention – most researchers agree that hypnosis requires the subject to engage in intense focus or concentration on one or more specific ideas. This is also called selective attention or everyday trance – we select a single idea or thing on which to focus our conscious attention on. This focused attention leads to a heightened state of awareness of the idea, or thing being focused upon and, everything we’re not focusing on drops out of our conscious awareness. Selective attention is our natural learning state. In order to learn anything, we must focus our attention on it.
Lead cognition and seed ideas. Hypnosis has been called the art and science of suggestion. During the hypnosis session the hypnotist delivers goal directed suggestions that facilitate achievement of the outcome the hypnotee is seeking. In addition to suggestions, the hypnotist may use imagery, metaphor and stories.
Enabling someone to utilise their personal resources. We all have a set of innate resources that we can draw on in order to help us to create the changes we want to make. These resources include our beliefs, our values, and our imagination.
Experience a temporary, or permanent, altered subjective reality. An example of a temporary change in subjective reality would be where it’s suggested to a person that their hand is stuck to the table and that becomes their reality until the hypnotist tells the person their hand is no longer stuck, at which point the person’s reality returns to normal. Helping someone to permanently alleviate or eliminate the symptoms of IBS is an example of permanently altering someone’s subjective reality.
What is Gut Directed hypnotherapy?
Gut-directed hypnotherapy is a form of hypnosis that targets the brain-gut communication to help significantly reduce symptoms of people suffering with IBS including inconsistent bowel movements such as diarrhea or constipation, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, fatigue, and brain fog. It also helps reduce stress and anxiety.
What evidence is there that Gut Directed hypnotherapy works?
Research has found that gut directed hypnotherapy, used alongside standard medical treatment can contribute to improvements in IBS symptoms by up to 70 -80%. Success rates of 60-80% for reduction in symptoms are common. As an added bonus, there are no known side effects gut-directed hypnotherapy, unlike medicinal based treatments.
When am I likely to see results?
Generally, people experience improvements by the end of the fourth one-to-one session. Improvements continue to be made over the course of the 100-day listening schedule. Some people may require extra one to one sessions to achieve optimal results.
For hypnotherapy in general there are 3 types of change people experience - remembering every person is different:
1. Immediate: You feel a massive shift right away - immediate changes in your physiology, thoughts, and behaviors right in the session.
2. Incremental: You see consistent shifts every day, or over time.
3. Retroactive: You don’t notice the shifts right away and then one day someone comments on how different things are, and you suddenly look back and see all the things that have changed in your life.
How long do the results of gut-directed hypnotherapy last?
There’s a study which followed patients treated with gut-directed hypnotherapy up to six years following their treatment, and they found that out of 71% of patients who had initially responded to hypnotherapy, 81% maintained their improvement over time while the majority of the remaining 19% claimed that the deterioration of their symptoms had only been slight. It is not unusual for some people to relapse only to return for a follow up session or two to re-establish positive outcomes.
Long term benefits
According to a study conducted by Prof Whorwell and colleagues:
1. 83% of those who had a positive treatment outcome were well after 1-5 years.
2. 59% were taking no medication.
3. 42% that were on medication were taking it less often.
4. 79% consulted their GP/hospital consultant less often or not at all.
5. 49% consulted their GP less often about other symptoms.
Will all my IBS symptoms disappear?
Some people achieve complete removal of symptoms, some a significant reduction and others a moderate reduction. As everyone is unique, a small number of people may experience little if any improvement having completed the program. However, it’s important to note, if the treatment does not improve your symptoms, it has been shown to still improve a person’s ability to cope and to enhance quality of life.
How can I best prepare for my hypnosis session?
The best way to prepare to experience hypnosis is to adopt a 'hypnotic mindset'. A ‘hypnotic mind-set’ simply means that you:
· have an intent to experience hypnosis
· are motivated to experience hypnosis
· are confident in your ability to respond to the suggestions you receive
· are optimistic about the outcome of hypnosis
· expect to automatically experience the responses and changes being suggested or imagined.
What if I can't be hypnotised?
Everyone can experience 'hypnotic trance' if they want to. We spend most of our waking day in one trance or another. We have many names for these 'everyday trances' - daydreaming, in flow, in the zone, concentrating, studying. In hypnotherapy we simply use your natural ability to enter an everyday trance, to guide you into a goal directed trance - a 'hypnotic trance.'
When you adopt the hypnotic mindset, you prime your mind for engaging in a hypnotic trance. As well as already being an expert in going into trance, you're an expert in all the key components of the hypnosis process because, you use them multiple times every day. You can:
· Communicate
· Focus your attention on a single idea
· Use your imagination
· Respond to suggestions
So, to experience hypnosis, you simply have to want to experience it and allow yourself to enjoy the experience. If you don’t want to experience hypnosis you won’t. It’s as simple as that. It’s a choice.
What is it like to experience hypnosis?
Everyone’s experience of hypnosis is different, because we are all unique individuals.
Hypnosis is a safe and enjoyable experience. Most people describe it as very relaxing. During hypnosis you are in a conscious, focused state of awareness. That means you are aware of everything that is going on around you. You focus on the hypnotist’s words. You hear everything that’s said but, like with any communication you’re unlikely to remember all that was said. Because you’re alert, and focused, you are always in control. That means you can end the session anytime you wish. You can also reject suggestions if you want to.
Might I say or do something I don’t want to?
No, because you are awake, alert and always in control. You can choose what you say or don't say. You can choose what you do or don't do.
Are there any physical side effects with hypnosis?
No adverse side effects. If suggestions have been given for relaxation, or pain relief then you are going to feel more relaxed, comfortable and at ease at the end of the session.
Can I get ‘stuck’ in hypnosis?
No. Hypnosis creates a state of relaxation and focused attention. This can be light to very deep. It is literally impossible to become “stuck” in a state of relaxed, focused attention. Can you imagine getting “stuck” in reading an absorbing book or watching an enjoyable film? Should you need to, you can bring yourself out of hypnosis at any time.
Are you bound by a code of professional conduct?
I'm a member of a number of hypnotherapy and coaching organisations. Each one has their own Code of Conduct. Fortunately, they are all similar in content. A copy of the National Council for Hypnotherapy Code of Conduct is available here.
How do you protect the information I share with you?
I only collect the minimum amount of personal information I need to help you achieve your therapy outcome(s). You have a right to see the information I hold pertaining to you. At any time, you can ask for a copy of all the information I hold on your file.
When it comes to handling your information, I comply with the Privacy Act 2020. The Privacy Act controls how “agencies” collect, use, disclose, store, and give access to “personal information”. A copy of my Privacy Policy is available here.