Hypnosis is a state of mind produced either by oneself or by responding to the directions of a therapist. It is usually accompanied by deep physical relaxation, a focusing of your attention within yourself and a reduction in awareness of your surroundings.

It has been likened to daydreaming, and naturally occurring forms of trance are common e.g. when absorbed in a good book or driving on auto-pilot down a familiar road.

The induction of trance is usually linked with physical relaxation and this is useful in cases of;

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Treatment of phobias
• Pain relief
• Control of Bleeding
• Breaking habits such as smoking and overeating
• Self confidence

When in trance you have much greater access to your unconscious mind and any suggestions given by yourself or a therapist act more powerfully and more surely than at any other time.

Everybody has the ability to enter hypnotic trance if they wish but some people have a greater natural ability than others.

Dr Kim Kerr BDS has undertaken advanced training with the British Society for Medical and Dental Hypnosis in association with the University of Birmingham. At our practice we use hypnosis mainly for patients who are nervous (phobic) either of visiting the dentist generally or of something in particular e.g. needles. This can mean that a patient who has avoided visiting the dentist because they are scared can have extensive treatment undertaken without the need for sedative drugs that might otherwise have been used.

At all times you can choose not to respond to the suggestions of the therapist and to come out of the trance.

The therapist is helping the process but you are still in control.

The first stage of therapy is simply a chat to discuss why hypnosis may be useful for you.

Questions that may seem irrelevant to your particular problem will be asked to get a well-rounded view of your personality as this helps guide the therapy.

A medical history will also be taken and there may be a questionnaire to fill in, depending on your reason for attending the session.

"the induction" is the name given to the process which takes you into trance.

This will vary from person to person but should always lead to physical and mental relaxation. Once in trance you will still be able to respond directly to questions, either with hand movements or by talking (some people in trance don't want to talk at all).

Before the first session is finished you will be taught a method of self-hypnosis so that you can go home and practice.

This again varies from person to person, but one or two is usual, although other people will benefit from a regular visit.

If you keep up the self hypnosis you should not need the therapist's help to go into trance.

We can use hypnosis for general anxiety problems for both adults and children.

The effects can wear off immediately if needed - no injections for fillings and no numbness afterwards.

Sedation can be achieved without the use of medications.

The effects can be longer lasting, increasing your self confidence and breaking bad habits and phobias.