In relation to habits peoples thoughts may be a variant of ‘well, that is just the way I am’ or ‘I can’t help it, it’s just me’.  What people too frequently do not consciously recognise is the considerable amount of psychological distress, which emerges from ‘how you are’ not necessarily corresponding with ‘how you want to be’.

‘There is nothing he may not make natural; there is nothing natural he may not lose’.
-B. Pascal

Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy is an effective method used to uncover what predisposes the habit. It also uncovers what is sustaining the habit and preventing change.  My approach involves, combining hypnosis with cognitive behavioural strategies and interventions.  The multi component approach works on many different levels to break the habit, providing you with the tools to help you to succeed for the long term; achieving a sense of control, satisfaction and achievement.

Stop Smoking Hypnosis

‘Hypnosis is the most effective way of giving up smoking, according to the largest ever scientific comparison of ways of breaking the habit’
New Scientist v136

New Scientist in 1992, published findings of a clinical study, which uncovered hypnosis as having the highest success rate, in the cessation of smoking. Research comparing many different forms of intervention including hypnosis in the cessation of smoking revealed that on average smokers are over five times more likely to break the habit of smoking with hypnosis compared to willpower alone. Hypnotherapy in general is found to be more than twice as effective as nicotine gum.

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), including nicotine patches or nicotine gum, nasal sprays etc. are some of the most popular methods used by people in an attempt to stop smoking. However, research studies reveal that NRT has a success rate of 7.2%. Compare this with the success rate of will power alone, which is 6%.

Noteworthy to mention that many of the hypnotherapists in the study employed hypnosis alone, often using outdated methods lacking an evidence base. My approach to your smoking cessation session involves, combining hypnosis with cognitive behavioural strategies and interventions, which increases effectiveness further. In other words, results improve considerably when combining clinical hypnotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy procedures and protocols. This multi component approach works on many different levels to aim to break the habit, providing you with the tools you need to help you to succeed.

The stop smoking hypnosis programme comprises of two sessions.

The first session consists of a half hour consultation. We will schedule this for approximately one week prior to your smoking cessation session.
In this half hour consultation, I explore with you the facets of the habit and any challenges you may be experiencing; from there I get to work on tailoring your treatment plan.

The second session is approximately an hour and a half in duration. This session is filled with evidence based techniques and strategies, which function to work against the old habit. The session is uplifting and an inspiring experience.

You possess everything you need within your body and mind to achieve your goal and become a non-smoker. You are capable or learning to use your mind to take control, to train it to work for you and stop the habit. I can teach you how to use your inner resources to help you achieve your goal and stay a non-smoker.

Why invest in your Stop Smoking Hypnosis Programme with Amanda Walsh?

  • Tailored plan to suit you.
  • Learn skills for coping with situations or moments, which have the potential to lead to relapse.
  • The most effective psychological therapies; CBT and hypnosis are incorporated into your customised treatment plan.
  • Employing a wide range of strategies and methods, which are supported by research evidence.
  • For those concerned about possible weight gain. Strategies and techniques incorporated on request, for dealing with the possibility of overeating.
  • Smoking Cessation has immediate health benefits.

IT IS NEVER TOO LATE!

Smoking Facts

For instance, a smoker’s heart rate is on average 9 beats faster per minute than normal.

  • Smoking is a powerful stimulant. Cigarette smoking stimulates adrenaline and increases the heart rate. When one smokes, the body is in fact stimulated, contrary to many smoker’s assumption that the cigarette has a calming, relaxing or anxiety reducing effect. A smoker is experiencing an artificial feeling of being relaxed. Essentially, the perceived relaxed feeling is the removing of the stress caused by the last cigarette. Smokers are therefore; still tenser than if they were a non-smoker.
  • Within hours of smoking cessation, the heart rate reduces to normal.
  • Smoking clogs the arteries, leading to heart attack and strokes. Smokers are on average 2-4 times more likely to suffer cardiac arrest than a non-smoker.
  • Smoking cessation reduces the risk of fatal heart and lung diseases. Within five years of quitting smoking, the risk of heart attack is approximately half of that of a smoker. Within ten years of quitting smoking, the risk of heart attack is more or less equivalent to that of a non-smoker, who never smoked a cigarette in their life.

Some other findings:

Many people may realise that smoking causes wrinkling of the skin. However, did you know that the majority of plastic surgeons do not perform facial operations on smokers? This is as a result of the risk involved; nicotine results in constriction of the capillaries, making surgery on the face dangerous.

Smoking associated with changes in women’s waist to hip ratio (WHR) of fat distribution. There is a considerable amount of evidence, which reveals that smoking cigarettes increases the accumulation of abdominal fat.

Smoking found to interfere with the brain and nervous system and attributed to increasing susceptibility to anxiety, stress, depression and other psychological problems.

The cost of smoking!

Smoking 20 cigarettes a day, costs approximately €4700 a year, €47,000 in 10 years and over a lifetime (est 56 years) €263,200.

– HOW MANY CIGARETTES DO YOU SMOKE EACH WEEK?

– ARE THERE WEEKS YOU SMOKE MORE?

– CAN YOU WORK OUT THE COST OF SMOKING FOR YOU IN ONE YEAR?

For many the cost of smoking would pay their mortgage or significantly reduce the repayments.

NOTE: The above is an estimate. The price of cigarette packets vary and inflation has not be accounted for in this estimate. Furthermore, there are additional costs which smoking incurs, not calculated into the above figures, such as the increase in Health Insurance premiums etc.