Common Questions

What is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a state of altered awareness in which the imagination rather than the intellect is active. Contrary to a widespread belief, it does not involve becoming unconscious and it has nothing to do with sleep. It cannot be forced upon people, but it is a state which therapists facilitate and clients allow themselves to enter. In this sense, all hypnosis is self-hypnosis. In the form of daydreaming, vivid remembering anticipating the future, or fantasising, hypnotic states occur in everyday life.

Within the clinical setting it is accompanied by a very pleasant state of physical relaxation, which in itself is very beneficial, especially in the treatment of symptoms induced or aggravated by stress. In such cases it is not a substitute for medical treatment but a very useful supplement to it.

Hypnosis cannot perform miracles, but it is a state of awareness, which can be used for self-help. Psychological problems, from unwanted habits to irrational anxiety states, can usually be traced to distorted, one-sided, or unbalanced attitudes, deeply imbedded in the mind, often at an unconscious level. By the time they come for help, clients have usually exhausted the resources of their logical, critical, conscious minds. In the hypnotic state, they can draw upon their inner imaginative and experimental resources, and be open to suggestions, which encourage more sensible, balanced, or helpful attitudes to reality.

For some conditions regression techniques (Mnemodynamic psychotherapy) are used. This means re-experiencing imaginatively significant events in one’s life. Sometimes this is used to discover within oneself qualities and resources which, made available in the problem situation, will solve it. Traumatic experiences which have had a distorting effect on the mind, can sometimes be re-assessed, and their harmful effects eliminated or subdued.

Myth & Magic

It is not possible to get “stuck” permanently in hypnosis. As with sleep or any other state of mind, people emerge naturally from hypnosis, especially when there is a need to do so. Nor are you under the power of the hypnotist, where your mind can be read and your deepest feelings exposed. This is false. A hypnotherapist cannot make you do anything that is against your will or expose feelings that you do not want to share. Although you are in a state of deep relaxation where powerful suggestions can be made, beautiful and magic insights can be found, YOU are in control of your inner journey.While in a hypnotic state you will be able to tap the power of your unconscious mind and unlock the way for change.

What is Psychology?

Psychology is the study of human behaviour. It seeks to understand the motivational forces within each individual, which explains his or her responses to the environment, especially to other people.

What is Psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is the application of psychological knowledge to the treatment of those suffering from disorders of a psychological origin.

Who can enter the state of Hypnosis?

Nearly everyone, once it is understood that the hypnotist cannot hypnotise an unwilling subject. Experienced hypnotherapist will tell you that it is intelligent and imaginative clients with a strong motivation for change who achieve the best results, even when only comparatively light states of hypnosis are attained.

Who can practice Psychotherapy or Hypnotherapy?

At present, any person, whether trained or not, can enter private practice. There are a few “National” bodies attempting to bring these professions into recognised parameters. Vicki Rebecca is an accredited member of UKCP and as such must adhere to a strict code of ethics and practice, and is fully covered by professional indemnity insurance.