Frequently Asked Questions

Find some information around what hypnotherapy is, how it can help, and what to expect below.

Still have a questions? Please don't hesitate to get in touch!

a flower in the sun with the sun shining through the flowers

What is hypnosis/hypnotherapy?

Hypnosis is a state of focused attention, heightened suggestibility, and often, deep relaxation. It's a natural and common state that we frequently experience several times the day, such as when reading a good book or those moments in between being asleep and awake. During hypnosis, our minds are more open to suggestions and more receptive to positive changes. Ever been really focused on something so didn’t hear someone saying your name? Or been so involved watching a scary movie you notice your hands sweating or your heart racing? They’re both example of being in hypnosis.

Hypnotherapy is the therapeutic use of hypnosis (in a relaxed, safe way, where you are always in FULL control!) to facilitate changes to beliefs, thoughts or behaviours by tapping into the power of deeper levels of the subconscious mind.

Is hypnotherapy effective?

Hypnotherapy can be a very effective way to make significant changes to your thoughts, feelings and behaviours, provided you're committed to change and open to the process (it's not a silver bullet!)

Studies^ have shown hypnotherapy is an effective treatment for various medical and psychological conditions, including stress, anxiety, chronic pain, sleep disorders, managing addictions, irritable bowel syndrome and more.

^Anxiety https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31251710/
^ Stress http://repository.unp.ac.id/21459/1/1.%20The-Effectiveness-of-Hypnotherapy-in-Reducing6.pdf

How many sessions will I need?

Hypnotherapy can be very effective quickly; some people will notice an instant change in their mood, thoughts and behaviours, others may want longer and/or to have several sessions. It will depend on your own individual challenges, circumstances and intentions. I recommend starting with one session, and seeing how you feel. I won't ever pressure you for more, and this will give you a good indication of whether you think I'm a good fit for you!

If you feel like we're a good fit and you'd like to continue - having multiple sessions can really make some powerful changes and will ensure we can strengthen those new neural pathways to solidify changes.

Others choose to have hypnotherapy regularly as more 'maintenance' for their general health and wellbeing and to keep them on track, or choose to use it regularly to support self exploration and understanding. Feel free to arrange a call to chat more about what you would like to achieve.

Do you offer payment plans?

Yes! I'm always happy to discuss making this support more accessible for you. I'm also always willing to work with people who are committed to change, so if finances are the barrier for you, please reach out and we can discuss how we can make it more affordable for you.

If you need any help or have any questions on this - please reach out, I'm happy to chat and come up with something that will work for both of us :)

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What is group hypnotherapy?

Group sessions are a wonderful opportunity to get access to hypnotherapy, for healing and growth opportunities with likeminded people and also is a more affordable option. There will be opportunities for you to share your experience and challenges if you are comfortable to do so, with the listening ear and community of a small supportive group. For scheduled group sessions - please see the events page.

Why group hypnotherapy? Think of a bit like a fitness class - you may join a group workout for general benefits, it will help you get fitter and you'll feel the motivation and the energy from exercising with a group of people. If you want to refine your technique, have an injury to cater for, or need specific help, a personal training session might be a better option. It's the same for hypnotherapy.

You can gain many benefits from attending a group session, but if you have a history of trauma, or struggle to feel safe with guided visualisation or meditations, I'd recommend booking a 1:1 session first to become familiar with the process and gain some support before joining in a group session.

Services

What if I can't find a session time that suits?

For in person sessions, I'm currently available Monday afternoons at Warragul Natural Health, but offer online sessions at other times during the week. Get in touch to chat and we can make a time that suits us both if you cannot find a suitable time available in the booking platform.

How does hypnotherapy differ from talk therapy?

Hypnotherapy differs from traditional talk therapy such as counselling or psychology by working with, and facilitating change directly in your subconscious. Hypnotherapy also gets you out of your logical, conscious critical mind and into your subconscious (and your body), where your innate knowing and deeper programming can be accessed, understood and/or influenced. Hypnotherapy may create longer lasting changes as they've been effected on a much deeper level, and may also be much more efficient, with fewer sessions being required to see results.

Alfred A. Barrios, Ph.D., presented a review in the journal "Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice", where he provided the following recovery rates for different therapies:

Hypnotherapy: 93% success rate after an average of 6 sessions
Psychoanalysis: 38% success rate after an average of 600 sessions
Behaviour Therapy: 72% success rate after 22 sessions

These figures suggest that hypnotherapy may be a highly effective and efficient treatment option compared to traditional therapies, according to Barrios' review.

There are also advantages to hypnotherapy when working with trauma, as hypnotherapy can gently support you to work on a subconscious level without you needing to talk about traumatic events. Your subconscious has the power to effect change in your mind with the guidance of a skilled hypnotherapist, without needing to discuss everything and relive your traumas over and over again.

How does it work?

Hypnotherapy involves supporting you to be in a state of concentrated focus (called hypnosis, or a trance, and is usually, although not always, with relaxation), where your conscious critical mind can take a step back and we can gain a deeper connection to your subconscious mind, where the magic happens! ✨

Gaining this deep connection with your subconscious mind enables us to get to the root cause of challenges and behaviours, and we can gain deeper self awareness and/or plant seeds for change. This state is also very beneficial physiologically where it activates the parasympathetic nervous system, lowers heart rate, lowers blood pressure, and allows all of your muscles to relax. We can also access and allow unprocessed emotions to be released, and make changes to underlying beliefs and patterns for lasting change.

Can anyone be hypnotised?

Being 'hypnotised' isn't like what you see in the movies! Everyone spontaneously goes in and out of the state of hypnosis several times throughout the day, as it's a natural occurrence. As long as you're a willing participant, open minded and able to follow instructions, yes - you can be hypnotised!

What to expect in a session?

Each session is different and will depend on how you're feeling when you arrive and what your intentions are for your time with me. For our first session, we will have an in depth discussion around what your expectations are and what you'd like to achieve, then we will do some simple activities to check in with your body and/or subconscious mind, and finish the session with a guided relaxation hypnosis to plant the seeds of change, and leave you feeling relaxed, refreshed and inspired.

Sessions will include a blend of psychotherapy, hypnotherapy and integrated somatic parts work depending on what you need and what feels right for you and your subconscious mind/body in the moment. You are always in total control and have full agency and choice over which way we proceed in each session.

What is a Women's Circle?

A women's circle is a gathering of women who come together with intention and purpose, in a supportive environment. As humans, we are innately communal creatures, but living in modern society doesn't afford us much opportunity to slow down, and simply show up as ourselves (without the masks) to be with others. Circle is an amazing opportunity to experience the feeling of 'the village', it can be really powerful and supportive environment to connect with other women and to quiet the noise of the outside world. Something that we all crave!

I sit alongside the group and facilitate in a very relaxed manner, providing each woman with the opportunity to share and be witnessed (participation in sharing is completely optional!), and some practices depending on the theme. We close with a guided meditation to leave you feeling relaxed, recharged and ready to re-enter the world.

Emma Hill

Clinical Hypnotherapist
Ph: 0403 225 958
emmahillhypnotherapy@gmail.com
Warragul Natural Health
83 Victoria Street Warragul, VIC, Aus, 3820
Available in person and online

I acknowledge the Gunai/Kurnai people as the rightful and Traditional Custodians of the land on which I live and work. I pay my respects to elders past and present, and acknowledge the enduring connections of all First Nations peoples to the earth, water and skies.

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