About
What is Cognitive Hypnotherapy
Cognitive Hypnotherapy Explained
I offer Cognitive hypnotherapy sessions from my UK based hypnotherapy service. My area of specialism is helping people overcome anxiety, attachment issues, low self-esteem, childhood trauma and addictions, using cognitive hypnotherapy and inner child work. I offer a free 30 minute telephone consultation and you can find all the information about my fees and packages below.
What is Cognitive Hypnotherapy?
Cognitive Hypnotherapy is an integrative therapeutic model that combines elements of traditional hypnotherapy with other approaches. It is rooted in the principles of neuroscience and neuroplasticity.
The core models that make up Cognitive Hypnotherapy are:
- NLP (neurolinguistic programming) Â
- Gestalt PsychologyÂ
- Traditional HypnotherapyÂ
However, we may also incorporate elements of Transactional Analysis and Positive Psychology, and when trained to NLP Master level, our training includes elements of parts work, eye movement therapies and EFT tapping.
Because of the integrative nature of Cognitive Hypnotherapy, we can train in other models which complement the style and approach and allow us to specialise in different areas of treatment.
Cognitive Hypnotherapy is different from traditional hypnosis in that we do not focus on your ability to go into a deep trance, or your level of suggestibility.Â
We use light forms of trance, which are the types of trance you naturally go in and out of everyday (usually without realising), to help you access subconscious beliefs and emotions in a way that helps change your experience of them and shift unhelpful beliefs, behaviour patterns and perspectives.Â
Cognitive Hypnotherapy is a more therapeutic form of hypnosis and we sometimes use regression and psychotherapeutic techniques to support change on a conscious and subconscious level.
Because of its flexibility, it allows us to adapt our approach to your needs and processing style. It also means that we have a range of techniques we can draw from to get you “unstuck” from your problem.
Is Cognitive Hypnotherapy Linked to CBT?
No, the pure form of Cognitive Hypnotherapy and CBT are very different approaches and there is no link between the two. The “cognitive” element of the name in Cognitive Hypnotherapy, refers to the way we work with the conscious and subconscious mind simultaneously.
This is why we use light trance, rather than aiming to get you into deep trance, because we believe that change happens most effectively when you are involved in the process.Â
The main difference between Cognitive Hypnotherapy and CBT, is that CBT (which stands for cognitive behavioural therapy), aims to change your feelings and beliefs by addressing your behaviour and thinking patterns first. This is what we call a “top-down” approach.
However, Cognitive Hypnotherapy works the other way round, by dealing with the root cause of beliefs and emotional triggers, which can then change how you feel and think, and let go of behaviours that may be a reaction to or symptom of those past negative experiences.
This is referred to as a “bottom-up” approach.
There is a treatment approach which combines hypnotherapy with CBT, which is called CBH (Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy). But this is different from Cognitive Hypnotherapy and is not linked in its approach.Â
How is Cognitive Hypnotherapy Different from Other Types of Hypnotherapy?
There are several different types of hypnotherapy these days and they all have slightly different approaches. The table below explores some of the main different approaches and how they work, and highlights the differences between them and Cognitive Hypnotherapy.
Cognitive Hypnotherapy
- Integrative approachÂ
- Client centred
- Can involve regression and solution focussed methods
- Is trauma informed
- Uses light/everyday trance to support change on conscious and subconscious levels
- Can be flexible, non-directive or directive according to client’s processing style
- Uses Eriksonian and Gil Boyne hypnosis techniques
- Teaches self-hypnosis techniquesÂ
- Can be used as a brief or long term form of therapy
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy
- Focuses on the present and future rather than dealing with the pastÂ
- Uses goal setting and motivational interviewing as guidance towards desired outcomes
- Some psycho-education involved around how the mind works
- Uses relaxation and trance inducing techniques to guide attention and awareness
- Is client centred
- Non-regression based
- Can include some self-hypnosis techniques
- Most often a brief approach
Hypnoanalysis/Analytic Hypnotherapy
- A psychotherapeutic approach
- Combines analytical talking therapy with hypnosis
- Focuses on resolving past issues to support change
- Uses free association and direct regression techniques
- Based on hypnosis teachings of Gil Boyne
- Aims to use deep trance to support change
- Â Includes more talking than most other forms of hypnotherapyÂ
- Most often a longer term form of therapyÂ
Suggestion/Traditional Hypnotherapy
- Aims to induce deep trance as a tool to embed suggestion
- Suggestions delivered while in trance like stateÂ
- Can involve guided visualisationÂ
- Usually non-regression based
- Relies on person’s ability to go into trance
- Often more directiveÂ
- Most often used as brief treatment
Hypno-psychotherapy
- A blend of psychotherapy and hypnosis
- Often more talk therapy based with selective hypnosis sessions used when deemed useful
- Often used to address past negative experience or support relaxation
- Is person centred
- Type of hypnosis used depends on training of the therapist
- Often a more longer term therapyÂ
Past Life Regression
- Aims to use deep trance to support regression
- Based on the theory that problems in the present can be the result of past life experiences
- Is often seen as a more spiritual approach
- Sometimes combined with Quantum Healing
- Can be used as a brief or longer term approach according to the client
What Happens in a Cognitive Hypnotherapy Session?
During your first session, we’ll explore your goals and what you wan to work on. I’ll ask you some questions designed to help bring any limiting beliefs to the surface and explore any patterns that may be holding you back.Â
We’ll discuss where you’d like to get to and how you’ll know when you’ve reached your goals. This helps to create a vision of how you’d like to be when you’re free of your problem, and also helps shape some of the hypnotic language I may use with you while in trance, to help shift you towards your goal.
We may begin doing some of the therapeutic technique work in the first session also, and the follow up sessions will be mainly used to do the internal work, with a little discussion at the beginning to help shape the focus of the session.
For most of the technique work you will have your eyes closed and I’ll be guiding you to do some mental exercises to help access your inner experiences, memories, internal parts or subconscious  beliefs that are a part of your problem.
You’ll be aware of everything you are saying and doing, and everything that I am saying and doing. You don’t need to be particularly imaginative or visual, because we work with your mind’s unique way of processing and experiencing things.Â
You can visit my Hypnotherapy FAQ page to find out more about what to see some common questions and answers about what what to expect in a hypnotherapy session.
Learn From the Founder of Cognitive Hypnotherapy - Trevor Silvester
What Issues Can Cognitive Hypnotherapy Help With?
Cognitive Hypnotherapy can help with many issues that might be affecting you in daily life. I’ve helped over 1200 people using Cognitive Hypnotherapy since 2019, helping them overcome the following experiences:
- Anxiety, overwhelm and panic issues
- Low self-esteem and lack of confidence
- Performance anxiety and fear of failure
- Stress and burnout
- Phobias and fear triggers
- Addictions and addictive behaviours
- Codependence and attachment issues
- Love addiction and love avoidance
- Emotional regulation dysfunction
- Recovery from domestic and narcissistic abuse
- Childhood trauma and CPTSD symptoms
- Blocks to money and success
- Struggles with experiences of ADHD and other neurodivergence
- Problems with intimacy and libido
Who I Work With
I offer one to one online performance anxiety hypnotherapy for adults from my London based hypnotherapy service. Online sessions allow you to access hypnotherapy from anywhere in the UK around the world.
People come to me for Cognitive Hypnotherapy when:
- They’ve tried other forms of therapy but still feel stuck
- They want to shift deep subconscious patternsÂ
- Understanding their problem hasn’t helped shift the feelings, behaviours or beliefsÂ
- They’re tired of living in fear or staying small and want more out of life
- Old habits and patterns keep re-emerging even when they thought they’d let goÂ
- They struggle with relationships and feel lonely or disconnectedÂ
- People pleasing and having poor boundaries are affecting their self-esteem
- They want to achieve bigger things but lack the self-belief to get there
- They’re ready to let go of limiting beliefs, find their purpose and live a more meaningful life
You can book a free 30 minute telephone consultation so we can discuss your goals and see if we’re a good fit before working together.
Let’s start with a chat and see how I can help you on your journey to personal growth and freedom!
My Hypnotherapy Fees, Packages and Benefits
£135 p/h
I offer single sessions from £135 per hour. These sessions are perfect for ad hoc hypnosis therapy on a PAYG basis.
Packages From £255
I offer a range of packages from £255 for 2 sessions per month, and a range of other options to suit different budgets.
Free E-book and Audios
Sign up for any package and receive a free copy of my ebook, Heal Your Inner Child, including hypnosis audios.
