keith griffiths f r i c s chartered building surveyor in Carleton, Skipton, North Yorkshire

About hypnotherapy Hypnotherapy is the oldest talking therapy, and hypnosis has been safely used for hundreds if not thousands of years. Nobody has ever got stuck in a hypnotic trance, because a trance is a natural everyday experience, like for instance, day dreaming, reading, watching TV, walking, swimming, running, driving and in fact anything you enjoy doing, can bring about a trance experience. About trance A hypnotic trance is just a narrowing of your focus of attention and then becoming absorbed in the experience. For example if you enjoy reading, you start by focusing your attention on the book and then you become absorbed in the content. The whole world vanishes as you become more absorbed. Someone could talk to you while you are reading and you don't hear them, because you are so absorbed in the "reading trance". Reading does not feel weird and you have no loss of control when you do read. It is the same with hypnosis, hypnotherapy does not involve being unconscious, asleep or any loss of control. After the session you can do anything you would normally do, such as driving. About the session In a Hypnotherapy session, you and I will agree your desired outcome, for instance, stop smoking, lose weight, end trauma and then we can focus your imagination and subconscious to help bring about positive changes to your thoughts, feelings or behaviour. Common issues that can be helped with hypnotherapy are, anxiety, trauma, depression, giving up smoking, phobias, PTSD, weight loss and confidence issue. Unlike many other therapies Hypnotherapy often involves a short course of treatment, sometimes just one session. About the hypnotherapist A good hypnotherapist will not give you the same session as another client, because you and your needs are unique. Some hypnotherapists work from scripts and although this can be effective it is not as effective as tailoring the session to you and using what you bring to the session as an individual. Always look for a hypnotherapist that is registered with the government approved CNHC, Complementary and Natural Health Care Council. Practitioners who are registered with the council must meet a certain professional criteria before they are accepted.