Hypnotherapy for performers.

Hypnotherapy 

During my Inquiry process on coping strategies for performers struggling with the pressures of the industry, i have found a coping strategy for performers that i was previously unaware of this is Hypnotherapy.  

'Hypnotherapy is a type of complementary therapy that uses hypnosis, an altered state of consciousness.' NHS (Online) 

One of my interview participants informed me of how this really helped with their anxiety caused from the pressures of the performing arts industry. This encouraged me to research in more depth how hypnotherapy could be a useful coping strategy. 

The main way i feel that hypnotherapy could be useful for performers is the fact that it can reduce stress:

'Hypnosis can help reduce stress –  Stress can cause serious illness in people like heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, and sleep disorders.  If you have a lot of stress in your life and your body is constantly in a high alert state then one of the benefits of hypnotherapy would be learning some simple relaxation, hypnosis and meditation techniques that can change your life. If you feel like you can’t get your stress levels under control by using diet, exercise and  medicine then it’s time to think about what hypnotherapy and hypnosis can do for you.  Because Hypnosis involves putting you in a deep state of relaxation it gives your mind and body a chance to recuperate, repair and heal itself by experiencing the relaxation that it desperately needs. Again the Hypno Relax download will give you an excellent introduction into learning the basics of relaxation and de-stressing techniques.'  Connect Hypnotherapy (Online) 

I came across a useful webpage which offers Hypnosis for Creatives, Actors, Singers, Dancers, Directors and Artists. 'Howes, Graham' (Online) Howes recognises that performers do struggle from stresses and strains and that hypnotherapy can be a beneficial coping strategy. 

Howes has experienced 38 years as an Actor, Theatre Director, Writer and Singer so he is an Expert in the performing arts world as well as having experience working in Harley Street as a Hypnotheapist specialising in Perfomer's Problems, he mentions, 'Stress and Depression, Suicidal Thoughts, Anger Management, Panic Attacks Worry and Anxiety are very real problems for Performers' 

In his sessions he teaches a number of tried a tested strategies. I was interested to read that there are specialists hypnotheapists for performers and i feel performers may feel they can relate to Howes as he has experience of being a performer himself.  

The National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH) Offers information on local hypnotherapists in your area, you can enter your location and it will show up specialists in your area. It holds one of the largest registers of independent Hypnotherapists in the UK. This is not performer specific but some performers may feel more relaxed if they have an outside view away from the performing arts 'bubble'. 

Bibliography

Connect Hypnotherapy: Online. Available at: http://connecthypnotherapy.com/10-benefits-of-hypnotherapy (Accessed 4th January 2015) 

Howes, Graham. Online. Available at: http://www.hypnotherapy-colchester-ipswich.com/wp/171-2/ (Accessed 4th January 2015)

National Council for Hypnotherapy: Online. Available at: http://www.hypnotherapists.org.uk (Accessed 4th January 2015) 

NHS. Online. Available at:http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/hypnotherapy/Pages/Introduction.aspx (Accessed 4th January 2015)