Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy uses guided relaxation, concentration and focused attention to help a person work on specific thoughts, feelings or behaviours.
What hypnosis is
The word "hypnosis" comes from the Greek hypnos, meaning sleep. It was popularised by the Scottish surgeon James Braid in the early 1840s, whose term "neuro-hypnotism" described what he saw as a sleep of the nervous system.
Despite its name, hypnosis is not sleep. It is a naturally occurring state of heightened, focused attention, sometimes called a trance. In this state, a person's attention is so concentrated that surrounding distractions fade into the background. With the guidance of a trained practitioner, the person can focus on particular thoughts, images or tasks.
People in hypnosis tend to be more open to suggestion. This does not mean they lose control: a person in hypnosis remains aware and cannot be made to act against their values.
How it is used
Hypnotherapy is used as a complementary approach, often alongside other support, for concerns such as:
- Stress and everyday anxiety
- Difficulty relaxing or sleeping
- Habits such as smoking or overeating
- Confidence, exam nerves and performance
- Preparation for childbirth and medical or dental procedures
- Coping with discomfort, alongside medical care
Professional boundaries
Hypnotherapy does not replace medical or psychological treatment. CAMBMS practitioners are trained to take a careful history, to recognise conditions that require a doctor or mental health professional, and to refer on. Hypnosis is not appropriate for everyone, including some people with severe mental illness.
In the United Kingdom, hypnotherapy is not a statutorily regulated profession. CAMBMS accreditation shows that a practitioner has completed the Academy's training and assessment.