By Karlene Brummer
Hypnotherapy has long intrigued people seeking alternative paths to self-improvement, healing, and personal growth.
Rooted in the profound ability of the human mind to influence behaviour, thoughts, and emotions, it is a practice that combines relaxation techniques with focused attention to achieve remarkable cognitive and emotional outcomes which are otherwise unable to be achieved by self-will or self-control alone.
I recently attended my first ever session with local Clinical Hypnotherapist, James Ryan, at his home practice in Dural, in the hope of relinquishing a long held unhealthy habit. To say I was anxious is an understatement, but I put my fears aside and decided to just go with the process – for better or worse. The experience was comfortable, and James put me at ease with his gentle and calm demeanour as he explained step by step what I could expect.
The ‘going under’ part was not why I had anticipated as I was cognisant the entire time and it felt more like that half-awake/half asleep dreamy feeling you can get first thing on rousing from a deep slumber. After our session I asked James whether he would agree to being interviewed at a later date, as I found the whole experience quite fascinating and could see how helpful this modality could be to the wider community. Luckily, he obliged!
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE FIELD OF HYPNOTHERAPY?
I have always been interested in how our minds work and some people seem to go through life relaxed and happy, while others seem to struggle and are always anxious. I learned that, ‘what you think about you become’, so in 2006 I enrolled in a course of Hypnotherapy, and began treating friends and family for quit smoking, weight-loss and anxiety before joining a super clinic in Sydney’s western suburbs.
WHAT SORT OF SKILL SETS DOES A CLINICAL HYPNOTHERAPIST NEED?
To be an effective hypnotherapist you need to be able to listen to your client and understand the story that they tell themselves. In this way you can create awareness in them of the underlying issue that causes them to smoke, worry or over-eat. Building rapport and having empathy for the client is also very important.
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES IN YOUR LINE OF WORK?
Fear. Past clients have told me they wish they had seen me sooner, but fear of what might happen kept them away. Once they have experienced the relaxed focused state of hypnosis called trance they usually book a second session to experience that same state again. The other challenge is that Medicare does not give rebates for hypnotherapy and not all private health funds recognise hypnotherapy, but that is slowly changing which is good news. ‘
WHAT ARE THE BEST REWARDS?
The rewards of being a hypnotherapist are when a client walks into your clinic, stressed, upset and teary and leaving the session feeling relaxed, calm and uplifted, there is no greater feeling witnessing this kind of transformation, and it happens often. Also speaking to past clients that were smokers that have quit the habit and have reduced their medications because of their improved health. This is why I do what I do, I am inspired by the power of the mind to create lasting change.
ARE YOU FINDING THAT MAINSTREAM MEDICINE IS EMBRACING HYPNOTHERAPY AS AN ADDED OR ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT FOR PATIENTS WHO NEED HELP IN OVERCOMING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND ADDICTIONS?
I currently work part-time at a clinic in the western suburbs of Sydney and the doctors of the clinic are very receptive to hypnotherapy for treating mental health issues and addictions such as smoking / vaping, drugs and alcohol. Most addictions are due to some sort of trauma that has happened in the past and created an emotional hole that the addiction is trying to fill.
I have a process that I use that is called the De Trauma technique that removes the trauma or reduces it, and this assists with helping the addict quit for good, as the reason to continue is removed. I have had many referrals from doctors, and I work in collaboration with them for the best outcomes for the client.
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE TO ANYBODY OUT THERE WHO IS INTERESTED IN ENTERING THIS FIELD OF THERAPY?
Do your research, read about hypnotherapy and the amazing things that are happening right now. Join a training organisation and get qualifications. Join an association as this ensures you are properly supervised and receive regular training and are keeping up with current information. Watch YouTube clips as some are very educational. Book a session of hypnotherapy so you can experience it from the client’s perspective and know what it feels like to go into a deep state of relaxed focus. Just go for it, the world needs more healers in mental health.
For further information please contact: [email protected] www.jamesryanhypnotherapy.com
