Clinical Hypnotherapy in Fife and Edinburgh for Slimming, IBS, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Stop Smoking, Insomnia, Phobias, etc.
I am away for a few days. Please send an email, (if possible, indicating when you are free). I WILL contact you.

What Is Hypnotherapy?

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 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 some bad memories, or have "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.

Asthma sufferers can sometimes have an attack whilst in hypnosis.  Having said this, none of my clients ever has. This shouldn't be a problem, anyway, since asthma attacks can also be relieved by hypnosis. Always tell your therapist if you have this condition so that there are no surprises. (A good therapist always asks.)

What Can Hypnotherapy Do?

Psychological: Many people suffer physical and psychological ailments due to prolonged stress or due to unresolved problems from their past. They may feel over-stressed, that they can't cope, have problems that their doctor can't resolve, e.g. skin problems, etc., or just feel a sadness deep inside them.

Many people feel excessive grief at the loss of a loved one, or the breakup of a relationship.

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.

It is important to understand that, as with many things in life, there are no guarantees. As I say throughout this website, everyone is different!

Advantages & Risks of Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy is one of the safest, quickest and most effective forms of treatment for the majority of psychological and emotional problems. It fosters an attitude of independence and mastery in coping with problems and can also accelerate the healing process in many physiological problems.

It always helps to have someone really listen to you, and to believe that you DO have a problem. Unfortunately, most doctors simply don't have time to really talk to their patients and to understand the whole person. They are pressured to quickly prescribe medicine for individual symptoms, or to do nothing. I believe that if you feel ill, then you are ill! Hypnosis will almost always improve how you feel about yourself, inside.

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{Some of problems listed below cannot occur when you are treated by me, because of my training and my approach to treatment but are included for completeness. Side-effects that you may encounter are highlighted in dark red.}

There are also some risks associated with Hypnotherapy. These are most likely to arise from treatment by a badly trained, or untrained therapist. It is strongly recommended that you do not appear in, or even attend, a live stage hypnosis act, nor approach a stage hypnotist for treatment.

I will highlight any of the potential problems which could occur in my clients in dark red. If you do encounter a problem, it is important to talk it over with your Hypnotherapist first because simply stopping treatment is unlikely to be the answer, and could make things worse. Some "side-effects" are actually good indicators that the treatment is working. Most problems will arise when an existing problem comes to the surface.

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.

Can Anyone Be Hypnotised?

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.

Children are easily hypnotised and can benefit greatly. You are strongly advised to ensure that your therapist has volunteered for vetting by HM Government under the Disclosure Act. David's Disclosure No. is 110100007316084. He will offer the document for scrutiny to anyone who wishes to be re-assured.

Is There Anything Magical About Hypnosis?

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.

The hypnotherapist simply helps you to extend the amount of time in this state, and uses this time to make helpful suggestions to the unconscious mind.

Will I Be Totally Unconscious?

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.

Many people, especially in a first session, can be a bit apprehensive, and so may resist a little. They often remember every word, and also remember "thinking" during the session. they may even not believe that they have been hypnotised. This is perfectly normal. You are able to remember everything that you want to remember. Once you discover that nothing unpleasant, or untoward, is going to happen to you, you will learn to relax more deeply, and will probably find yourself daydreaming for much of the session. This is fine, too! Therapy is very effective no matter how active your mind is.

Will I Be Under His 'Power'?

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.

In hypnosis, the power of the Ego is diminished, allowing more access to the ID. However the Super-Ego is still firmly in control and will reject anything you believe to be wrong. When the ID, or unconscious mind, listens to the hypnotherapist withouit the usual checking of the Ego, or conscious mind, it believes it. This is why hypnotherapy is so successful.

Will I Be Forced To Expose My Innermost Secrets?

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.

What Can Be Treated?

• Eating & Appetite Disorders:  Obesity, Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia, etc.
• Stress Disorders &Management:  Anxiety, Asthma, Hypertension, Arthritis, Panic Attacks, Panic While Driving
• General Problems:  Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Insomnia, Gastric Problems, Cardiovascular Problems, Migraine, Tension Headaches, Decreased Concentration Levels, Energy Depletion, Tension, Frustration, Irritability, etc.
• Addictions & Disorder of Habit:  Alcoholism, Smoking, Cocaine, Nail-biting, Thumb-sucking, etc.
• Lack of Confidence:  Public Speaking, Shyness, Stage Fright, Blushing, etc.
• Phobias:  Heights, Darkness, Snakes, Animals, Insects Water, Rats, Insects, Birds, Dental, Blood, Flying, Enclosed / Open Spaces, etc.
• Psycho-Sexual Problems:  Impotence, Frigidity, Lack of Confidence, etc
• Social Disabilities:  Speech Disorders, Tics, Tremors, Bed-wetting, etc.
• Depression & Unresolved Grief:  Separation, Divorce, Bereavement, Job Loss, Business Failure, etc.
• Skin Disorders:  Eczema, Dermatitis, Psoriasis, Excess Sweating, etc.
• Obstetric Uses:  AnteNatal Training, Morning Sickness, Heartburn, Labour Contractions & Pain Management, Post-Natal Depression, Parent-Child Bonding Problems.
• Academic Difficulties:  Studying, Exam Nerves - at School, at Work, Driving Test.
• Pain Management:  Acute & Chronic Illness, Burns, Cancer, Dentistry, etc. (All pain must be checked by a doctor first!)
• Sports Difficulties:  Performance Enhancement, Training Discipline, Event Nerves, Inconsistency.
• Executive Stress:  Sales Performance, Burn-Out, Interview nerves, etc.

Hypnosis can also assist, ease and relieve the suffering for those with conditions such as ME, MS, Cancer, HIV & AIDS related illnesses, etc.

What Happens In A Session?

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.

Some people may feel, unconsciously, that they need to retain control, and initially resist going into deeper hypnosis. This is perfectly normal, and, once they discover that nothing unpleasant is going to happen, they simply "let go" and thoroughly enjoy the whole experience. For most people, this will be the most relaxed they have ever been!

If you do get a headache, it won't last too long. The benefit you will feel following completion of the course of treatment should make it all feel worth while. It is important to complete the treatment, otherwise you may be left with the memory of a previously repressed event, which has not been dealt with.

How Many Sessions Will I Need?

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.

If you have a phobia, for example, we use visualisation techniques where we gently expose you to the source of your fears. We need to do this gradually in order to build up your confidence without making it too distressing.

Some clients can be suffering from so much anxiety that they initially find it difficult to relax sufficiently to allow themselves to go into anything but a light level of hypnosis. It may take an extra session or so to acheive the deeper levels needed for psycho-analysis techniques to be effective.

Payment

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.

Web Site Design

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.

What is Psychotherapy Under Hypnosis?

Psychotherapy is a method of uncovering and dealing with traumatic memories. These memories can have a profound effect on how you feel about yourself and about certain situations, usually without you realising it.

To understand what can go wrong, we must first describe how we store memories. The actual workings of the brain, and the complex interactions that convert this biochemical/electrical organ are even now only poorly understood. However, we can best describe it in terms of a simple model.

The Brain

The brain is divided into two parts, the Left and the Right. It is also constructed a bit like an onion. The older, more primitive parts lie deep in the centre. The Cerebral Cortex is that part of your brain where your mind resides. It forms the outer layer on the top, and front part, of your brain. The dividing line through the centre of your brain cuts the Cerebral Cortex in two. This means that your mind sits in two separate places.  On the left sits the Conscious Mind and on the right, the Unconscious Mind.

The Conscious Mind

This is where the logical, thinking, talking part of you lies. There is no emotion here. This is where you plan, criticise, work out. Only this side has language, and you think in words.

The Unconscious Mind

This is where we feel - where your emotions, needs and wants are. This side has NO language - you think in "lumps of thought". (Sorry, but I can't think of a better expression.)

How Do We Learn?

We all hold in our brains a Model of the universe; the way things are. It is the sum total of all our knowledge and experience - our long-term memory. All memories are a mixture of fact and emotion. This means that both sides of the brain contribute to everything we learn.

It is our capacity to understand our environment that marks us out from all other animals. (Chimpanzees make and use tools, but they don't dominate the planet). In the days before civilisation, this kept us alive. E.g. we could recognise animal footprints and the direction in which it was going. (Pretty useful if it happens to be a lion.) The day we got this model wrong could well have been the day we got eaten! We are the descendants of people who were best at understanding their environment.

We follow one simple rule: Check the facts thoroughly before adding them to the Model.

The Conscious Mind is best equipped to check the facts. It tries very hard to reject all new information. When it is satisfied with the facts, it passes them over to the Unconscious Mind to add some emotion. (Note that this emotion could be simply "dead boring" - there is always some emotion.)

The next step is to add the new knowledge to the Model. Because the Unconscious Mind is holding the new fact - it ends up its job to put it away. This can't be done straight away - the Model is so complex that you have to "shut down" your brain before you update it. This is one reason why you sleep. The Unconscious Mind puts the new knowledge into an "In Tray", or short term memory. When we are asleep, the Unconscious Mind takes this new knowledge from the In Tray and adds it to the Model.

Conscious Mind		Unconscious Mind		Memory System
Logical, Critical		Emotions, Needs, Wants		Short-Term	(Sleep)	Long-Term
Check & Pass to Unconscious Mind		Add Emotions & Store in the In-Tray		Whilst asleep - process the contents of the In-Tray and store in the Model

NB this also means that the Unconscious Mind knows how to "work" the memory system. It can access everything that's ever happened to you.

The Conscious Mind doesn't even need to learn how to do this - it simply gets the Unconscious Mind to retrieve all the information for it.

For example, if we are looking at a cup, the Conscious Mind sends a request to the Unconscious Mind - "Tell me everything I know about a cup". The Unconscious Mind looks first at the Model and then checks in the In Tray for any new knowledge. It "experiences" the emotional content, and passes the factual information over to the Conscious Mind.

The information in the Model is all cross-referenced and indexed and so it can go straight to the relevant entries. However, the information in the In-Tray is more like a set of unrelated cards.  The Unconscious Mind has to look at every card to see if there is any new information about a cup.

What Is a Repressed Memory?

We sometimes wish we didn't know what we know! For example, let's say we discover that "Mum doesn't love me any more!" The Conscious Mind has worked out that this is why Mum shouted at me today, when I had done nothing wrong. This new thought is passed to the Unconscious Mind to have the emotion added. This new thought, with a huge mass of negative emotion, is then passed to the In-Tray.

This is where the problems start. To a child, this is about as traumatic as it can be. "My whole life has just been turned upside down. After all, who will look after me, feed me and keep me safe? There must be something wrong with me if even my Mum can't love me!"

The Conscious Mind realises that it would have been better not to think that thought. Things were better 10 minutes ago. "I don't want it to be this way!" Apparently you can't delete memories and thoughts, so it does the next best thing: it instructs the Unconscious Mind not to add it to the Model of the universe. It is to pretend that it never happened.

The Unconscious Mind does what it is told. It doesn't take the thought out of the In-Tray to add it to the Model. It simply leaves it there! It adds a big red X and a notice: "Information not to be passed to the Conscious Mind. "It stays in your short-term memory for the rest of your life, as fresh as the day it was put there! Every time the Unconscious Mind requests information from the memory system, the Unconscious Mind finds the repressed memory and feels the associated emotion!

It also "knows" that information stored here is new and overwrites all "older" knowledge. It does this hundreds of times a second and so you constantly feel the anxieties from these repressed memories. The Conscious Mind is often also completely at a loss to know why we feel the way we do!