Hypno-psychotherapy uses a combination of hypnosis and other psychotherapeutic talking-therapy techniques. Hypnosis describes a range of naturally occurring states of altered awareness which may vary from momentary distractions and ‘absences’ through much enhanced states of relaxation to very deep states of inward focus and awareness. The mental processes which can occur in any of these states, appropriately utilised, are generally far more flexible and potentially far more powerful in effecting change than those we can achieve in most everyday states of active conscious awareness. These states may be induced quite formally or quite naturalistically, in an almost unnoticeable way, depending on the requirements of the problem, the capability of the practitioner and the needs of the client.

While hypnosis and concepts of “altered-state phenomena” have been around for centuries, convergence with current neuroscience has led to greater understanding of the processes involved in hypnotherapy and techniques have accordingly improved. There is a huge body of peer-reviewed scientific literature available which has proven the efficacy of hypnosis in therapy.

Hypno-psychotherapy can be applied to modify a client’s behaviour, attitudes and emotions, as well as manage pain, anxiety, stress-related illnesses, and dysfunctional habits, promoting personal development. It also deals in deep-seated problems involving themes and procedures in many ways similar to those addressed by many other branches of psychotherapy. Hypno-psychotherapists take a wide-ranging and eclectic view in helping clients to understand and to alleviate psychological difficulties.

Hypno-psychotherapy operates under an integrative model, drawing on any other psychotherapy school of thought (such as psychoanalysis, cognitive behavioural therapy, neuro-linguistic programming, Gestalt therapy or counselling techniques) but differs from them by the deliberate use of altered mental states as the principle method of change. The techniques used in Hypno-psychotherapy are well-established, powerful and often rapidly effective, but will always be adapted to suit the individual client. The nature of hypnosis is that is draws on the very unique subconscious of the client to use and enhance the resources that the client already has, so does not follow a prescribed script for everyone.