Who and What?

 

Hello , My name is Alexis Henderson. I am a clinical hypnotherapist and I run  Alba Hypnotherapy.

Alba Hypnotherapy is accredited by the University of the West of Scotland, National Council of Hypnotherapy registered and a member of the CNCH.

My practices deals predominately with adult clientele, examining and working with issues which affect them in daily life. These can often be physical or emotional, impacted by trauma, addiction and disordered thinking.

My background is that of a psychology graduate ,holding a masters in political science, and a bachelors of  Nursing (Adult branch).

Working within the NHS for the last 15 years I have seen people at their best and at their worst. In my role as a care giver and nurse, I have worked  with patients and their families dealing with acute illness, long-term conditions and critical care.

Through my studies and career, the importance of the connection  between the mind and the body has been reiterated and emphasize as an essential factor to our wellbeing.  Truly seeing the individual and all their component parts, allows one to provide alternative healing via the complementary therapy that is Hypnotherapy. 

 

"Mens sana in corpore sano" (Juvenal, Roman Poet)

"A health mind leads to a health body , and vice a versa"

 

 

 

What is hypnotherapy and what can it do?

Perhaps we should start with what hypnotherapy is not, and common misconceptions:

  • We have all seen the stage hypnotist who, with a click of their fingers magically has someone clucking like a chicken. I have to admit this is impressive, however the demonstration has been carefully orchestrated. Its not mind control, you are fully in control when in a hypnotic trance, and you can not be forced to do anything against your will. (There has to be a willingness to engage, to allow trance).
  • It is not a replacement for medical treatment, however it can help with symptom management, and has been endorsed by the British Medical Association and the British Psychological Society.
  • You are not asleep or unconscious during trance, rather the mind is in a state of heightened consciousness. Allowing the client to access their subconscious.
  • "Only weak minded people can be hypnotised". The truth is anyone can be hypnotised. We have all experienced seeing an advert on TV for a specific food (whether we are aware of it or not) or hearing a jingle on the radio, then craving said food. Simply advertising is a form of hypnosis.
  • What happens if you don't come out of hypnotic trance and "wake up". In fact you can come out of trance at anytime by opening your eyes, again you are in control. The hypnotherapist acts only as a facilitator and guide through YOUR hypnotic experience.

 

What is Hypnotherapy, how does it work and what can it do?

 

Hypnotherapy is a complimentary therapy, currently regulated by the CNCH (note this is on a voluntary basis). It involves an element of talking therapy, goal setting and evaluation of efficacy. It can be used to treat a variety of physical and mental health conditions.

Often we get so caught up in our day to day lives that we neglect  our mental health. We push down thoughts, feelings and experiences that we are unable or unwilling to work through.

These emotional reactions, can then manifest as phobias, anxiety, Obsessive compulsive disorder, and disordered patterns of thinking (to mention only a few). In turn these can then produce physical symptoms such as pain, sleep disturbance, changes in hygiene practices. That is  where hypnotherapy comes in.

Hypnotherapy places an individual in a state of deep relaxation. It reduces critical thinking by quieting the conscious mind and by engaging the subconscious part of our brain. This relaxed state is known as trance or hypnosis, and this is where the work and healing begins.