By Judy Sharp Dip Hyp; Dip PLT
GHR and CNHC registered

Hypnotherapy is simply the therapeutic use of hypnosis as a way of accessing the unconscious to resolve a very wide range of issues ranging from irrational fears and phobias to anxiety and depression; from emotional trauma to weight management; from challenges with relationships or money to giving up smoking. Or it can be used to harness the potential of the unconscious to provide motivation and positive suggestions to overcome stressful situations: exam nerves, driving test blues, yips on the golf course, giving presentations to large audiences ….

Have you ever been mesmerized by flames in a log fire? Or been lost in a beautiful piece of music? Have you been in a car on a rainy journey as the wipers slip-slapped against the windscreen? Then you have slid into “an altered state of consciousness” – precisely the “trance state” that is induced in a session of hypnotherapy.

The mind is like an iceberg

The mind is like an iceberg, with the 10% that shows above the surface of the ocean being the conscious mind, controlling our day-to-day activities and rational, cognitive functions. The 90% of the iceberg sitting quietly below the ocean equates to the unconscious mind. This is the control centre, the computer hard drive, and by by-passing the conscious mind, the hypnotherapist can access the unconscious mind. Not only does it monitor all the physical and biochemical processes that keep us alive, such as breathing and temperature control, it also influences our overall health and wellbeing. It is in the unconscious mind that all memories and traumas, feelings and emotions are stored, and it is here that the therapist works to find the real underlying emotional root cause of an issue.

We all tend to put everyone else first, and ourselves last, don’t we? But that doesn’t do us any good, or those around us. It’s time to learn the Art of Self Care, in a series of totally free talks at Vinings Natural Health Centre.

Each Tuesday evening starting on Tuesday 18th September, 7pm – 8pm, one of our therapists will share their knowledge and experience on the topic of The Art of Self Care. The talks are free but space is limited so please do let us know if you are planning to come along – call 01444 441 210 and leave us a message – thank you!

We look forward to welcoming you to Vinings!

This is the time of year when New Year’s Resolutions abound – losing weight, stopping smoking, doing more exercise – you know the sort of thing. Most people join a gym for all of a couple of months before giving up. Would-be non-smokers may try all sorts of sprays, gums and other remedies – but still the temptation is too strong. Hypnotherapy works to effectively “re-programme” old habits and establish fresh, healthier habits in the unconscious. For those who want to lose weight, I honestly believe the secret is in uncovering the real underlying emotional reasons why you are holding onto that excess weight in the first place. This could be due to any number of reasons in this life – or even a past-life trauma. Whatever the root cause, we will find it and, more importantly, resolve it, allowing you to move on with your life. And if the solution is a Hypnotic Gastric Band – I can do that too. It is non-invasive, safer, quicker and easier than bariatric surgery – and far more cost-effective too! So whatever your new year’s resolution – the answer could well be hypnotherapy! Judy Sharp, Hypnotherapist and Past Life Therapist at Vinings