I'm a hypnotist (remedial, not stage) AMA

[Eyesopenwideawake]

As per the title! I love my work and happy to answer any questions 😊

Hi, I really want to give up sugar/eat more healthily and am very open to using hypnotherapy as part of this. I did Hypnobirthing and loved it. I used to put it on for sleep as well as when I was awake. Is this something that is achievable and can you recommend anyone who does this/audios to use?

@notavailablename - my apologies, I've been out getting my legs waxed!! Why do you think that your attempts to give up sugar/eat more healthily have failed so far?

Apologies @Eyesopenwideawake, I’ve only just received a message about this! I think my issues are- I love the taste! It’s easy and convenient. Habitual. My partner also loves sweet things. And I’m slim, eating this way hasn’t made me gain weight so I see less of an issue with it (probably too honest there!). But I don’t want to continue to do this as I know it’s bad for me.

@notavailablename - To be realistic, nearly everybody likes sweet things, it's part of our makeup. This isn't a scenario where hypnosis will be effective as you're asking the mind to override it's genetic preferences. Will power is your friend here. Sorry!

@Eyesopenwideawake How interesting, my parents used to openly comment how they can never tell me what a good job I’ve done or that if they told me I was good at something, because I would become lazy and no longer work hard at it. They always withheld praise but I wonder if I then subconsciously put what they’ve said into practice without realising it? They emphasised that is why they have to always be really negative with me “that is not good enough” “you need to try harder” because otherwise I would never be the best.

@Purplepeg - That's so sad. It wouldn't have come from your parents in isolation, they would most probably be doing what their own parents did. Thankfully we can now make active choices not to perpetuate the styles of parenting that we know harmed us.

I hope you praise yourself on a regular basis...

My dd 22, has autism and anxiety.

Some years ago she developed intrusive thoughts about sirens and car lights.

She was very unwell for a while but was treated and has meds. She is doing much better.

She just can't easily fight the thoughts and does lots of avoidance. She can rationalise well but not in the moment.

Do you think hypnosis could help.

I have considered hypnosis for both my sons as they pick their nails and my youngest also digs holes in his thumb when upset in social settings. Struggled to find a hypnotist near us. Pls cld u send me the practioner list. Also is it recommended for children under 15?

I've wondered this.

@Thornrose - The key issue here is the relationship between the client and the hypnotist/therapist. Because I don't use trance work (i.e. the client is awake, aware and in control of the session at all times) it's far more about education and understanding how and why we think the way we do and (crucially) the role of the subconscious in this process. Without preempting anything, I would be talking to your daughter about understanding her feelings so that she doesn't need to avoid things as she's done so far.

@Flippingheckfire - One of my colleagues specialises in children's issues, I'll PM you her details.

@newbiename - Can't answer that one, sorry!

@SomePig - So sorry, I completely missed your post! I don't know much about EMDR, although I've watched some intriguing videos and heard both good and bad reports about it. My personal (uneducated) view is that if you believe something will work, it very often will.

How does it work?
What's the evidence base?
How do you evaluate your work?

@PrawnToast5 - I can, of course, only describe how it works with my own clients; for a wider view on how hypnosis works Google is your friend. With the permission and assistance of the client I talk directly to the subconscious mind to change or stop outdated/unhelpful/incorrect thought patterns and behaviours - most of which began in childhood, or came about as a result of trauma.

As with all alternative or complementary therapies there are arguments for both sides of whether it works, but you will find a good number of scientific studies into hypnosis.

I evaluate my work by asking my client if the issue that was troubling them is resolved. Actually, most times I don't need to ask 😊

I hope you're OK. Discourtesy to a stranger often comes from an unhappy mind.

Discourtesy to a stranger often comes from an unhappy mind.

What do you mean by this?

My 16 year old son has anxiety which manifests itself as nausea and vomiting when he has to face situations like meeting new people, exams etc.

We've been on the waiting list for CAMHS forever and whilst we could afford to fund private therapy the problem we have is knowing who to go to. I kind of think he might need a mixture of hypnotherapy to "switch off" whatever bit of his subconscious has decided vomiting is an appropriate response to feeling anxious but I also worry about a quick fix and wonder if he also needs some kind of talking therapy to get to the bottom of his problem and to provide him with tools to cope with stressful situations in the future.

Does that make any sense and if so, do therapists who do both these things exist?

@TwigTheWonderKid Yes, it does make sense and yes, there are therapists who can help! If it's OK with you I can DM you the details of someone you can chat to to see if she can help?

I'd be incredibly grateful if you would. Thank you so much.

I tried hypnotherapy and it made me really unhappy- no lasting effect that I know of but while it was going on. No effect on the problem I was trying to address. I had to imagine a lovely safe place and I hated it and felt really exposed there. Whenever he went deep or spoke to my subconscious I ended up teary and uncertain. I wouldn't like to put anyone off but I wonder why thar might happen and if it would be worth trying again. I did my best to engage. I doubt I'm quite neurotypical.

Can you hypnotise me to think dh looks like Tom cruise ( asking for a friend ) 🤔🙈

I hope you're OK. Discourtesy to a stranger often comes from an unhappy mind.

Ask me "anything" - unless it's a question I don't like, in which case I'll call you unhappy and discourteous.

I tried hypnosis to help me lose weight. It didn't work. Could you suggest why that might be please?

@TwigTheWonderKid - done!

@Sylfia "I had to imagine a lovely safe place and I hated it and felt really exposed there." That's an unusual reaction, maybe you didn't feel comfortable with the hypnotherapist or you weren't ready to face whatever it was you went to him/her about? I don't really know but I guess the question is - do you want to try again, despite your previous experience?

@gunnersgold Absolutely! Narrow your eyes into really tight slits and use every last bit of your imagination. Tom will magically appear...

@Siepie - If you look back I did answer the questions.

@Justkeeppedaling Again, it's difficult to guess why it didn't work for you. What do you think is your issue with food?

🤷‍♀️ I'm not even sure what was wrong with my questions!

I asked simply how hypnosis works, how do we know it works, and what evidence it is based on. I would think someone who provides this therapy should be able to answer these questions easily and frankly without snark!

I think that the response of "Google it yourself" is quite telling though...

@Siepie - If you look back I did answer the questions

You didn't answer my questions on:

• how it works
• the evidence base

You told me to Google how it works, and to look up evidence for the therapy you provide myself. Then you said I was discourteous for asking.

My dd10 needs hypnosis for a fear of vomiting which causes daily anxiety. Trying to find a child hypnotherapist isn’t easy! One has said it could take upto 20 sessions at £75 a session! Would you agree that it could take so long?
also can hypnotherapy work as well over zoom as it would in person.

I’d really appreciate your unbiased opinion.

thanks