Proven to be an effective tool for those experiencing anxiety and IBS, we explore the origins of hypnotherapy, and what hypnosis is really like.
Polly, a 19-year-old university student, became paralysed with fear as she went home for dinner. The anxiety began to build as she approached her parent’s house, and would not abate until the meal was cleared away. She suffered from a phobia of being sick. What if her mother had not been diligent enough cleaning the kitchen? What if she had touched raw chicken, and transferred it to the surfaces?
Over the years, the thoughts had become more intrusive, to the point where even the idea of raw meat in the fridge caused a sleepless night for Polly. She had to do something about it. That’s when she called me.
Like many clients, Polly started by saying this was her last resort.
The reality is that hypnotherapy is not usually the first choice for a lot of people – most have tried a number of interventions already.
Hypnosis as a healing tool has been seen in many cultures for centuries; ancient relics from Egypt depict something similar to hypnosis. Recounting the history of hypnosis in his book, Hidden Depths: The Story of Hypnosis, Robin Waterfield describes practices resembling the trance state used by Aboriginal Australian, Native American, and Hindu cultures. But in reality, these practices bear little resemblance to my work.
Read the full article. Happiful Magazine