I'm a Hypnotherapist. AMA

[felonia]

Been full time for 10 years, have appeared on TV shows and radio as well as training new therapists. I've worked with all kinds of issues and feel fairly unshockable these days!

LaurieFairyCake I use EMDR as part of my therapy ... it's essential for trauma and PTSD

LaurieFairyCake it's The Hummingbird Effect
www.hummingbirdeffect.com

GingerTom yes I have worked with childbirth & pain relief. The techniques are great and my clients have had some really positive results. I don't really do much of that as I tend to refer people to hypno birthing type groups instead. I also work with PTSD & birth trauma

Blackbirdbluebottle COME ON ENGLAND!!!

I bet they have someone fab working with them already-they are doing so well

Not a question but my arachnophobia and general terror of all insects was massively reduced with hypnotherapy. Not gone completely but I'm able to be within a few inches of creepy crawlies now

Would it be any good for someone with extreme food phobias their entire life? To stop them being afraid of trying something incase the taste or texture makes them gag and vomit? I tried it before but the guy said he didn’t really have a specific technique for what I was asking and just did a weight loss script thing. It obviously didn’t work! I don’t need to eat less!

LoupyLou yes that's very possible. I've managed to get my partner to forget his own name before but then again he is extremely easy to hypnotise and very suggestible. For stage hypnosis we do 'suggestability tests' to suss out who will make good stage subjects (there is always a top 10% who will be ultra susceptible and entertaining to watch!)

I suffer with anxiety which I am trying hard to overcome.I have had counselling/CBT & that has been partially effective but I still suffer with anxiety.
Would hypnotherapy work for me? Do you have good results from the patients you treat for anxiety & how many sessions does it usually take before they notice a difference?

Another question. Do you think recorded hypnosis works, CD's or whatever?

I have misophonia with my trigger sounds being coughing, sniffing, loud eating and heating the neighbour's telly through our party wall. Do you think hypnotism could work for me?

Thanks for the link - Am I being completely dippy It takes me to a page about an individual therapist - is that who you did your 2 year training with?

As I can’t find the integrated 2 year course

I would love to be able to swim, and have taken adult lessons, but I freak out and panic if I'm out of my depth, or if I have my face in/under water. It's so frustrating because rationally I know I'm fine, but I can't control the panic reflex. Could hypnotherapy help me do you think? And if so, how do you find a qualified hypnotherapist in your area?

LaurieFairyCake www.hummingbirdeffect.com/be-your-own-boss

aWoman I've had really good success with food phobias (fruit & veg!). Be wary of anyone using scripts- that's very old fashioned practice. I always say your clients are your scripts! My industry is poorly regulated- too many badly trained therapists

janeJeffer recorded hypnosis can be helpful if used as a reinforcement to an actual session. Sometimes I will record parts of a session to give to my client afterwards. Generic material is often not specific enough to the clients needs.

HMC yes I've worked on this fear before. It can help the panic response by de-sensitising the brain to the fear

Thanks for answering my questions felonia

blorgzorb yes hypnotherapy can help this. I treat it like a phobia :)

Ooh I like this one! Well done op.

I recently used hypnotherapy to stop smoking but after 5 weeks I stupidly talked myself into smoking (yes I’m an idiot) I tried it again (an app) and it didn’t work.
Am I doomed?

dhal that's great it helped with the fear of insects. I explain to clients that whilst they probably won't ever love the thing they had fear about, we aim for indifference ;)

How do you find a good hypnotherapist? Not really sure where to start looking and like you said there are a lot of not good ones out there.

Thanks felonia! I might give it another bash then.

Do you ever do past life regression?

Haha Littlechocola I did that! Could NOT believe I didnt want to smoke! So forced myself!!! Der. Anyway I returned to my hypnotherapist and owned up and after she had laughed and eyerolled (nicely) she said Come on then lets do it again. And this time don’t undo it!

2nd time it took.

@IAmcuriousyellow glad it’s not just me’