What is Hypnosis?…
Hypnosis is a completely natural state that all of us experience – and everyone will experience hypnosis throughout the day in different ways. It is a state of focused attention and heightened awareness. When used within hypnotherapy by a trained professional, it enables people to create positive changes in thoughts, habits, behaviours and emotional responses.
While in hypnosis, a person becomes more responsive to helpful suggestions – allowing positive shifts to take place more easily and naturally. We all move in and out of hypnotic states throughout the day.
You may have experienced it while:
- Driving and realising you don’t remember part of the journey
- Becoming absorbed in a book or television programme
- Listening to music and drifting into a memory
- Daydreaming
- Noticing how a smell or song instantly takes you back to another time
These are everyday examples of focused attention – the same natural state used intentionally in hypnotherapy.
Hypnosis often feels like that space between being awake and asleep – deeply relaxed, yet aware.
Brain imaging studies show that during hypnosis, areas associated with focused attention become more active, while self-critical processing reduces.
Hypnotherapy is the practice of guiding you into this natural state in a safe and structured way, allowing access to deeper patterns of thought and behaviour. From there, we can gently update responses that may be contributing to unwanted habits, emotional distress or stress-related symptoms.
A modern example many people recognise is when using a mobile phone – you are highly focused and absorbed, aware of your surroundings yet momentarily tuned inward.
Hypnosis is not about losing control. It is about working with your mind in a focused, calm and purposeful way.
What Hypnosis Is Not…
- It is not sleep
- It is not mind control
- You cannot be made to act against your values
- You remain aware and in control
Who It Helps…
- Hypnotherapy can support:
- Anxiety and stress
- Confidence and self-esteem
- Phobias and fears
- Habit change (smoking, nail biting etc.)
- Stress-related physical symptoms
Hypnotherapy works alongside medical care and does not replace advice from your GP or healthcare provider.
Self Confidence
“I went to Michelle to see if she could help me with my self confidence and belief.
There have been lots of things which have happened to me in my life and I have always blamed myself for them.
Michelle has made me feel that I can let go of the anger I felt for those people and it wasn’t my fault.
My confidence has grown in the fact that I say ‘no’ now than being a total pushover.
All I can say is that she has helped me with my confidence and if I feel negative about myself and think to myself all the things I have achieved recently.
I have written this testimonial as permission to use so that others can benefit from Michelle’s wonderful therapeutic approach to hypnotherapy”
AC Stourbridge