Hypnotherapy

[EvianBaby]

I'm considering hypnotherapy to quit smoking but how do you find a decent therapist? I've looked at a few and the charges range quite wildly. One I was looking at had all these letters after her name - LLB(Hons), AdvDip THP, N-SHAP, Dip NLP, Prac NLP, GHR Reg. SQHP. BHSAI .

What's all that meant to mean?

[daffy654]

Ask your GP/practice nurse if they know of any reputable ones.

[ummmm]

I dunno. MarkRae did it to quit smoking with successful results. He might be able to point you in the right direction.

[EvianBaby]

hhmm, hadn't thougth about asking the GP.

Maybe Mark will see this and give me some tips.

[boxtops]

Go through the GP, they will refer you to your local NHS Stop Smoking Service, that won't cost you anything. Hypnotherapy is not cheap (but it does work, IMO).

[EvianBaby]

I didn't want to go down the NHS route because I know a few people who've tried it and hated it. And all of them started smoking again. To be honest, I'd also prefer to see my Doc less than absolutely neccessary at the moment.

[thistles]

I went to my practice nurse over a decade ago, she gave me patches, and they worked, with willpower of course, but she encouraged me all of the way, I had been a smoker for over 40 years, good luck.XXX

[boxtops]

Up to you then evian, but word of mouth is usually a good recommendation.

What you could do, though, is ring the Stop Smoking Service and see if they can recommend anyone - you want someone with a good track record.

[EvianBaby]

I do. I'm happy to pay for it - I'd make my money back in a month - but I don't want to just hand over cash to any old charlatan who knows nothing.

I've tried with patches before and genuinely belive they do nothing. I did quit for four months last year (gave up on the patches after 2 weeks) but then life started going a bit wrong and I took it up again. I can't really take the time to go to the surgery for the sessions as often as they want to. Being at work full time and my surgery is half an hour away. Plus I already have fortnightly appointments for something else so can't really ask for more time out of work.

[mxyzptlk]

Without wishing to sound nasty, It sounds from the excuses that you give, that your mind is not fully on the giving up kick.
I went cold turkey 20 years ago after several attempts previously. The difference was I mentally convinced myself that I was no longer going to be ruled by the weed.
This, obviously will not work for all and I wish you well in your endeavours whichever route you choose.

[Old_Geezer]

For hypnotherapy to work you do need to be determined to give up, and then it helps. But it isn't a infallible counter to not trying. It's an aid, it helps keep you on the straight and narrow when you want to but are tempted off, perhaps because life is not going brilliantly: but ultimately you are in control of your decisions. If you opt to throw in the towel and that's what you'll do.

I'd agree word of mouth is probably your best bet. Or medical profession recommendation. I just hope that once you get a recommendation that you can find the time for the necessary visits there. Might also be useful to try a few aids to stopping at once. Never hurts to get all the help you can.

[ladyalex]

Despite personal statements that hypnotherapy helped, I really do not think that there is evidence that it is helpful in stopping smoking (or losing weight or giving up alcohol or drugs.)
The most reliable indicator as to whether people will stop smoking/overeating etc is their own motivation. If they are well motivated to stop, then they will stop and any therapy, hypnosis included will help.
If they are not motivated and want 'something' or 'someone' to stop them from smoking, eating etc, then nothing will work.
SO, my suggestion to you is to by all means find a local reliable hypnotherapist recommended either by someone you know personally or by your GP practice, then, if you do not want to waste your money, stop smoking either cold turkey or with patches or gum or whatever for a fortnight then go and see them. They will then probably be able to help you to stay stopped.
No therapy is magic. It's always going to be down to you in the end.

[moiflan]

Would you try champix ?available on prescription from your doctor.I've tried everything but ,myself ,and have realised what was said here is true,one has to be motivated to stop.Had hypnotherapy,(some really got me close others just a waste of money)patches,gum,that other drug that was popular before champix.Try Paul McKenna's tape and book ,or Alan Carr's book,but as Eric Clapton said "It's a question of spiritual application"

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

I can't answer your question because I tried it and the first thing I did when I got out was light a fag.
I believed in all that stuff at the time but I don't now so it should have worked at the time. It didn't.
Go cold turkey or use nicotine replacement.
Me? I still smoke because I like it :)

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

I agree with Adro.

[tinkerbell23]

I want it too EB i googled "hypnotherapy *where i live"

And loads came up on a website?

Id be more inclined to go to a clInic setting rather than a house xx

[mike11111]

The only qualification that I recognise from the list is LLB (Bachelor of Laws). Don't know what that's got to do with hypnotherapy.

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

It's bunkum, snake oil, a fraud.
Don't pay for it.

[LazyGun]

I think what evidence there is that hypnotherapy works for smoking cessation is equivocal, and depending on which therapist you use and the length of the course, can be quite expensive.

Regarding the list of qualifications, the relevant ones wrt hypnotherapy would be
AdvDip THP, N-SHAP =Diploma in Therapeutic Hynotherapy and associated qualification
GHR Registered - General Hypnotherapists Register.In an effort to improve the professionalism of hypnotherapists, they now have to be registered to practice
SQHP - Senior Qualification in Hypnotherapy Practice. - I think you get this if you have been in practice for a couple of years.

DipNLP and Prac NLP are to do with Neuro-Linguistic Programming, which some regard as a somewhat cultish self help programme. These qualifications can be earned via online study , but are not particularly relevant to smoking cessation.

LLB - Batchelors Degree in Law. No relevance to hypnosis.
BHSAI - No idea :)

So, you have someone who once studied law, and somewhere along the way decided to take up counselling / hypnotherapy. Did a 2 year course, Registered themselves, and have been practicing for 2 years or so.

Not entirely sure why anyone would want to list all the other qualifications, unless it is a kind of ego-wall equivalent :)