Hypnotherapy can alter your mindset to help you kick a nasty habit, and TOAD has plenty of those. Caitlyn Davey tried it out
Do you have a habit you can’t break? Are you so addicted to smoking you smoke two cigarettes at once, or do you guzzle cake every time a friend lets you down? Wanting to give something up but finding it hard is a feeling we can all associate with, and it isn’t fun. If so, hypnotherapy might be the solution.
It’s not all about acting like a chicken, Lisa Laws, a local hypnotherapist, reassures us. She says, ‘Hypnotherapy uses hypnosis for therapeutic benefit, whereas stage hypnosis is for entertainment.’
Lisa explains how hypnotherapy can be used as therapy. She says, ‘Hypnosis is one of the most fascinating phenomena of the human mind. It is a state of consciousness, where your mind is open and receptive to suggestions. Hypnosis is a natural state of selective, focused attention.
‘Our ability to enter this unique state of consciousness opens the door to countless possibilities for healing, self-exploration and change. Hypnosis creates a bridge to the subconscious mind – our subconscious mind is the seat of the emotions, imagination, memories, habits, intuition and the regulator of our autonomic nervous system.’
Lisa tells us it’s about going deeper than just changing an action, which is why people often try to change their lifestyle then end up relapsing due to the subconscious failing to catch up. ‘For long lasting healing and change to occur it is essential that the subconscious mind is reached. For example, we might consciously make a decision to quit smoking, be more confident, less stressed or nicer to someone – and yet we fail. This is because our subconscious and conscious are not in alignment.’
Worried the practice isn’t safe? Lisa says, ‘Hypnosis is 100 per cent natural and normal. We enter hypnotic states naturally – like when you drive somewhere and feel that you’ve arrived at your destination without really being ‘here’ or recalling the drive. You were driving quite safely on autopilot while your mind was elsewhere.’
Anyone can be hypnotised, as long as the participant is willing. ‘If you want to be hypnotised, then you will allow yourself to be,’ says Lisa. ‘To increase your responsiveness, you need to really believe you can be hypnotised and keep an open mind. Research has suggested that individuals who view hypnosis in a positive light tend to respond better – and that makes the job of achieving goals a lot easier.’
The experience
Prior to our appointment, Lisa discusses our goals in a 15-minute phone conversation. We tell her we want to change our relationship with food; eat to live, not live to eat.
We feel sceptical when we arrive for our appointment, given our only exposure has been to stage-hypnosis but we are open to the treatment.
Before we begin, Lisa asks us what our eating habits are like – and we explain they leave a lot to be desired.
She talks us through the process. ‘I use hypnotherapy in two ways, depending on the needs of each client,’ she explains. ‘Firstly, I saturate the subconscious mind with positive suggestions to solve their issue.
Secondly, if appropriate, I use the power of suggestion as a tool to fix and overcome any blocks or resistance to healing.’
We need to change our relationship with food as we ‘emotional eat’ and seek out crisps and salty foods for comfort. Lisa says, ‘It’s interesting, people who crave sweets such as chocolate tend to need nurturing and comforting, whereas cravings for salty food such as crisps indicates an underlying frustration.’
Lisa asks us to relax so we sit back in our chair and close our eyes. As she speaks in gentle, hushed tones, we fall into a state which is similar to the feeling of meditation. We are aware slightly of what is happening but our mind flows in and out of the room, it’s similar to the feeling of drifting off to sleep. We are aware and feel comfortable enough that we could stop if Lisa told us anything we disagreed with. Throughout the session, we receive reinforcement of the values we want to achieve.
Afterwards, we feel a little hazy but alert. Lisa gives us a recording to continue reinforcing our session. We’re told to listen to it twice a day.
For several weeks afterwards, we eat smaller amounts and have no cravings for unhealthy food. After two months, our resolve is weaker (that’s likely because we only took one session, rather than the minimum recommended three) but there is still something stopping us from overindulging, and we still automatically seek out healthy food. Our entire attitude towards food has shifted and our friends and family comment on the difference.
Prices start from Dhs320 an hour. Email lisa@lisalawscoaching.com, www.lisalawscoaching.com (055 771 2857).
Hypnosis myths
You can’t remember anything that happens after waking up following hypnosis
People generally remember everything. Post-hypnotic amnesia is rare and temporary
You can be hypnotised without your consent
Hypnosis requires the patient’s voluntary participation
The hypnotist has complete control of your actions while you’re under hypnosis
A hypnotist can’t make you perform actions that are against your values or morals. You will remain in control. Your conscious mind is still aware, just less active
Hypnosis can make you stronger or faster
While hypnosis can be used to enhance performance, it can’t make people more athletic than their existing physical capabilities
