INFORMATION ON HYPNOTHERAPY

Elaine Parke Senior Counsellor Cardiff Met

While generally Hypnotherapy can be used for a wide range of issues, in this setting I will be focusing on issues that have an impact on your academic performance.

I envisage this to be working primarily with any issue’s thathave an impact on academic performance such as:

Anxiety

Presentation anxiety

Public speaking

Exam stress

Panic attacks

Relaxation difficulties

Some related Phobias

Sleep problems

Excess stress

Or telephone 02920416170 or email for advice on your issue

Students are able to self refer to this service via our online registration form

You will be referred directly for a hypnotherapy appointment.

The service is located in the Llandaff counselling suite T002. A map will be emailed to you upon receipt of your registration form.

Dispelling the myths

One of the main myths I have encountered is that Hypnotherapy is a form of mind control and people can be made to do whatever the hypnotherapist desires!

Not true!Clients, although deeply relaxed, always remain in complete control of the situation. They are able to talk if required and can terminate the session if desired at any time.

It’s likely this notion of loss of control stems from stage hypnosis (often put on for students in fresher’s week) where participants are persuaded to perform all manner of (usually) foolish acts. Please note, however, that participation in this is entirely voluntary and, as such, the person knows exactly what they are letting themselves in for! In this way, they have given the hypnotherapist permission for what is to follow.

As a result people claim afterwards that they were “made to do” whatever it was when actually they were open to the experience.

So, that myth out of the way, Hypnotherapy can at the very least, be a very, very deep form of relaxation.

While in this relaxed state our powerful mind becomes much more open to helpful suggestions. Bear in mind though that if our conscious mind is uncomfortable with a suggestion, we immediately become much more alert, aware and less relaxed.

So, one of the Hypnotherapist’s skills is in assisting a person to fully relax and then keeping them in that relaxed state while offering helpful, useful, personally appropriate suggestions to that person.

While most people are able to relax to some level, sometimes it takes a little practise to become deeply relaxed.

However,some research shows us that the level or depth of trance experienced (level of relaxation) does not always relate to the beneficial results obtained; so there can be benefits for everyone.

At the very least, Hypnotherapy provides a period of guided relaxation from the stresses and strains of everyday life.

Interestingly our mind is unable to differentiate between our direct reality and what is going on in the virtual environment around us e.g. current affairs, news, television, films, to name a few .

Our mind accepts all it is shown or heard as our actual reality and reacts accordingly, releasing adrenaline into our bodies ready to “fight or flee” these stressful events as needed to ensure our safety.

So, with this in mind,think about how often, with all the instant access to different forms of media, our minds are bombarded with stressful images and events.

Is it any wonder then that anxiety disorders and stress levels are on the increase?

Hypnotherapy can help lower these anxiety levels giving us a lower daily threshold to work from.

I would be happy to answer any questions you may have by phone 02920416170 or email

Thanks

Elaine Parke Senior CounsellorCardiff Metropolitan University