Clinical Hypnotherapy in Fife for Slimming, IBS, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Stop Smoking, Insomnia, Phobias, etc.

There is nothing spiritual, weird or mysterious about the hypnotic state. It is a totally natural state that can be likened to day dreaming or the period just before going to sleep. Hypnosis is an inward focusing of attention where the demands of the outside world are switched off. It is a state of deep relaxation during which the analytical mind shuts off making the unconscious mind accessible.

You are not asleep and nothing can happen without your consent. You can hear everything being said and afterwards will usually remember all that has happened and will definitely remember all that you want to. It is not unusual for people to believe that they were not properly hypnotised because they remember "thinking" during the session, and can remember much,or all, of what happened. You will remember everything that you want to remember. If you are a bit apprehensive, and most people are at their first session, you will probably remember everything. Once you are used to being in hypnosis, you will often "miss" much of what has been said. It's like a car journey, you will remember the journey, but don't normally remember every lamppost you pass. It doesn't really matter because your unconscious mind has heard every word!

Hypnotherapy is a non-invasive, useful supplement to orthodox medicine and can also achieve considerable success in its own right. Doctors are becoming increasingly supportive of hypnotherapy as an aid to better health.

The memory of a past trauma remains in the short-term memory, with a big red X , (a "Not to be looked at" label). When dealing with a past trauma, the intention is to begin the process of moving this memory from short-term to long term memory. Once the X  is removed, it will still take a few days for the memory to be processed and moved to long-term memory. Especially following sessions where many minor problems are dealt with, some clients recall lots of bad memories, or "busy" dreams for a few days. These include such things as falling out with friends at Primary School, bad teachers, etc. These soon fade again, as the memories are processed by the brain, however you may feel "down" for a few days. To the therapist, this is good news as it shows that the treament is working. It may not be so pleasant for you, however.

It sometimes happens that the only sign of a psychological problem is some bizarre behaviour, or a single specific problem, such as dreading speaking at meetings, or exam phobia. This fear is always rooted in a past traumatic event. Some clients wish or expect to receive only suggestion therapy to "paper over" the problem, and not psychotherapy to treat the cause. NB I always offer psychotherapy as part of your treatment. It is my intention to uncover hidden traumas and to provoke an outpouring of emotions: an abreaction. I usually do not confine treatment to one of simply treating symptoms using suggestions. Don't expect to come to me for a single session to help with a phobia, for example. Clients who decide to go to a Hypnotherapist who cannot, or will not, deal with past events risk situations like the following:-

In hypnosis, the Unconscious Mind is in charge and can sometimes decide that this is its opportunity to do something about it. The Unconscious Mind begins to deal with the problem without prompting from the therapist - the client suddenly remembers some trauma and may become a bit emotional. This is called a spontaneous abreaction. When this does occur, in the presence of a competent Hypnotherapist, the prognosis is usually extremely good - so it's good news. It is important to say that this was not caused by the hypnosis - the underlying condition was already just under the surface. It would have surfaced at some time and would also have been very much more distressing. A spontaneous abreaction whilst conscious is what is often described as a nervous breakdown.

Sadly, some hypnotherapists are simply not trained in how to deal with these, (if they are trained at all). Some are also a bit afraid of dealing with the "difficult stuff". The less competent therapist may decide to wake you to stop the abreaction. The client may feel confused, upset and (quite rightly) angry. It can certainly be a bit disconcerting if it is mishandled by the therapist. If this has happened to you, (with another therapist - it would not happen with me), it is important to continue to receive treatment from a trained hypnotherapist!

Hypnotherapy should never be sought by anyone who has a psychotic illness such as Manic Depression ("ordinary" depression is usually ok), or schizophrenia, etc. The good therapist looks for clues to the mental state of the client, however he or she cannot guarantee to spot the signs. It is important to disclose any relevant medical history.

People with epilepsy must never use hypnosis. It can trigger an attack, even with those who have it under control.

Physical: The sub-conscious mind plays a major part in your the system. Whilst it may not always be possible to obtain a cure, hypnosis can assist in the relief of distressing symptoms and help subjects to come to terms with their illness and so bring about a significant and beneficial change in quality of life.

Some people can be taught to ignore their pain using self-hypnosis, although this will work only in around 20% of people. Pain is worse when you are stressed, though, and significant improvements can be made by ensuring clients are relaxed and happy within themselves.

Confidence: Hypnotherapy can help people feel more confident, feel better about themselves, and help them to face difficult or stressful situations. Many people start to find that they get worried about speaking in public and meetings. This can happen even to those who were previously confident.

Habits: It is most effective in helping people to lose weight. This is especially true with "snackaholics". It can help people to stop other habits, e.g. nail biting. NB You are well advised to avoid any therapist who guarantees that you will stop smoking. You can be helped, but YOU have to be determined to stop deep-down.

Positive aspects of hypnosis include the production of a much more profound level of relaxation with a concomitant reduction in stress levels. To some previously very stressed or unhappy people, this feeling of relaxation is so different that they may worry about being light-headed, etc.

Many people have problems rooted in past events. We can often "bury" traumatic events away for years or decades. In some people, these memories begin to cause us more and more problems. The use of Psychotherapy under hypnosis reveals the root causes and then also helps us deal with them.

Some people may encounter problems. As described elsewhere on this web site, traumatic memories are stored along with the original intense emotion. Whilst the Conscious Mind may have little or no access to these memories, the Unconscious Mind is aware of them every second of every day. During a session, it is important to allow any emotion to be "vented".

If you feel angry, shout with rage!
If you feel sad, cry!

Often, a client will try to hold back this emotion and, in a few cases, this can lead to a headache. If this does happen to you, tell the hypnotherapist, who may be able to help you there and then. If the headache comes later, take your usual headache remedy and try to get some sleep and tell your therapist at the next session.

Almost everyone can enter the hypnotic state with a hypnotherapist with whom he or she feels empathy, using the right techniques. Often, the best hypnotic subjects are intelligent people who are able to visualise well.

The main concern for most people is that the hypnotherapist will have some sort of magical power over them. There is no magic and the only power used is the natural power of your own mind to heal itself and your body.

The mind has evolved to be able to be hypnotised, and most people hypnotise themselves every day, e.g. when becoming absorbed in a TV thriller, or when trying to work out a problem by "thinking out of the box".

For example: A familiar situation is when you put down your house key, turn away for a moment - and it's gone! You know that the key should be where you believe you put it, but it isn't. You then think furiously, talking yourself through your actions, but still you can't work it out. You then stare blankly at a wall, doorknob, etc., take a breath, and empty your mind. After a few seconds you get that "eureka" moment and the answer comes to you. You have just hypnotised yourself. Your conscious mind allowed the unconscious mind to take over in order to solve the problem.

During hypnosis you are more alert than when awake but your attention is focused inwards. You are in a deeply relaxed state where your conscious mind relaxes, allowing your unconscious mind to listen and to react.

MOST CERTAINLY NOT! You cannot be made to do anything against your wishes or moral code. You retain full control throughout the entire session. You will remember everything that you want to remember, and would be able to terminate the session immediately, if you wished to. In practice, you will be gaining so much from your session, and enjoying the wonderful feelings of relaxation so much, that you will simply not want to stop midway through a session.

Here comes the complicated bit: Your mind has 3 basic components:- the Super-Ego, the Ego and the ID. The ID equates to the unconscious mind, whilst the egos are the conscious mind.

The Super-Ego is the place you hold your morals and ethics and watches over the Ego. The Ego is the thinking part of your mind, constantly checking everything that it is receiving, and passing information on to the ID. The ID is the unconscious, "feeling", part of your mind. It therefore receives all its information pre-checked by the Ego. It has no capacity to criticise - it doesn't need it, and so believes everything it is told.

Definitely Not! Since you retain full control whilst in hypnosis you cannot be compelled to reveal anything you wish to keep secret.

It often does help, though, to have someone who will really listen to you, in absolute confidence.

It is often these very "secrets" that are the root of your problem. I help you to deal with them at last, so that you can begin a new life no longer haunted by them. It is easier to do this if you can face up to them openly, however there are techniques where you don't need to tell me about them.

Prior to the first session, we have an Initial Consultation (IC). This may take from 20-90 minutes, depending upon the individual. We discuss your problem and possible treatment, and then, if we both agree that hypnosis is the right course, we proceed to the first session. The IC is free and you are under no obligation to continue to a session.

What happens next is dependent upon the nature of the problem the individual. However, the first session normally concentrates upon learning to relax and learning self-hypnosis (where you can put yourself into a hypnotic sleep whenever you feel stressed, etc.) You will then receive treatment. Smoker's treatment can occasionally be completed after only one session. (About 1 in 5 of the population are described as "somnambulists". These are people who are very susceptible to Hypnosis. If you were prone to sleepwalking as a child then you are likely to be in this group.) Beware "therapists" who guarantee to stop you smoking, etc., in a single session, or who gives you any type of guarantee of success. If I had a method that was guaranteed to stop people smoking - I'd be a multi-millionare by now!!!

You will be asked to relax in a very comfortable reclining chair. I will play some soothing background music. All you have to do is to listen to my voice and  allow yourself to relax. You mustn't try to make anything happen, nor try to stop anything happen.

First of all, the honest answer is: I don't know. Everyone is different. Most clients benefit greatly from the use of Hypnoanalysis techniques to deal with the root causes of their problems. There seems little point in using suggestion therapy alone because the client still has the underlying root cause, and so their problem is likely to recur at a later date. I make it standard practice, therefore, to deal as thoroughly as possible with these underlying issues.

This means that, for most problems, you should think in terms of around 4 - 5 sessions. Occasionally, there are clients who need longer.

Please contact me for an assessment of the cost, as this varies according to the client and problem.

To some, the cost of Hypnotherapy may seem like a lot, however a course of treatment will probably cost a lot less than the cost of, say, replacing the clutch in your car. It depends on the importance you attach to your happiness and well-being. Smokers can make up this money in only a few weeks, leaving aside the fact that it may save their lives! Very occasionally, someone who really needs help genuinely cannot afford this fee. In such cases, I may be able to sort something out.

It is unethical to ask for block payments covering multiple sessions, (how can I know in advance how many sessions will be required?), so you will only pay for each session as you book it. I can take credit card bookings over the phone. I will ask for payment each time you book a session. Note that the rules for the free IC still hold: if you do attend but decide not proceed to an actual session, I will refund your money there and then. It is an important part of the treatment that you make a committment to yourself.

You must provide 3 full working days warning of a cancellation, or forfeit this. If you postpone a session without allowing 3 full working days, you will be charged half the full rate for the missed session.

I worked for many years in IT and I still "keep my hand in" by designing web sites. This is more of a hobby now and so I don't charge the earth. I don't do fancy artwork and the like because I'm not really an artist. However, if you want a good workable website, without hassle and without being worried about being over-charged, give me a ring! You can also take advantage of having your own Testimonials facility to allow your clients to leave their own comments. I find that many of my clients decide to contact me because they liked the way the testimonials were obviously not "invented" by me.

I designed this site and also the Testimonials system which this page links to. It not only uses the usual HTML coding, but goes a great deal further into what is called Active Server Pages, or ASP. This is full-on computer programming which can produce all sorts of additional features such as on-line booking, etc. You would normally expect to pay thousands of pounds for ASP websites.

Standard web pages (i.e. those ending ".htm") are fixed pages which sit on the web server. When a client clicks on to a link, or enters the web URL, the server simply sends this page. With ASP technology (i.e. those ending ".asp")  the web page is constructed "on the fly". It can look up databases for example and return up-to-the-minute information which has previously been updated by another ASP page. This is how the Testimonials system works. When an ex-client adds a new comment, this can be displayed to the next potential client without me having to do anything.