Stop Smoking

You probably started smoking for reasons that sounded reasonable at the time.  Perhaps you wanted to be part of a group, maybe someone told you it helped you lose weight or fixed your stress.  After a while you believed the cigarettes tasted good and believed they really did help you. Unfortunately you were left with an expensive habit that is now affecting your health and you’ve found that smoking no longer has the appeal it once had.  Here is some useful information that will show you in detail how you can stop smoking in the long term.
 
Why Do So Many Stop Smoking Programs Fail in the Long Term?

Many programs have been implemented to enable people to stop smoking, but so few achieve long term successful outcomes.  One of the major issues with some existing stop smoking campaigns is that they see smoking as a behaviour in isolation and fail to take into account the broader context and psychological issues that drive smoking.   Smoking is a central and important aspect of a smoker’s life, so to quit is a major life change and is far more complex than just stopping the smoking behaviour. It therefore needs to be treated with all the attention and resources that we would usually put into any other life changing event.

How do Emotions Fit into This?

Psychological support for quitting smoking is rarely used, but can be essential in achieving long term success. This approach has to include an understanding of the emotional role that smoking has on a smoker’s life, and also the psychological impact of what it means to stop smoking.  The reasons to continue smoking vary, such as “it feels good”, “it helps me relax”, or “I can’t stop”.  While the logical understanding that smoking is killing them is evident, the fears associated with not smoking may be even greater. Seeking psychological help to stop smoking provides a safety net that softens the uncertainties associated with stopping smoking.  All aspects of a smoker’s emotional health need to be supported while all the necessary life changes occur.

How Does Clinical Hypnosis Work?

Clinical Hypnosis is a specialised and highly ethical form of hypnosis only available to medical and psychological professionals.  This is a very powerful tool when used in conjunction with either coaching or counselling by a specialist psychologist who has an understanding of what drives smoking.  This can enable the powerful change from being a smoker to a non smoker in a way that is emotionally safe, gradual, and sustainable.  Each smoker has their own unique reasons to both continue, and to stop, smoking.  Understanding these reasons, and the psychological attachment to smoking, enables each Clinical Hypnosis session to be tailored to meet each person’s individual needs.  

Clinical Hypnosis has been extremely well researched, with studies showing definitive changes in brain waves patterns during hypnosis that are different compared to the waking or sleeping states. During hypnosis a person is in a trance state where they are sensitive to suggestion in both the conscious and subconscious mind.  When a smoker is in a hypnotic trance, they are able to relax and absorb ways to gently and safely allow themselves to no longer smoke.

Information About Dr.Stephens

At the Centre for Human Potential Dr. Stephanie Stephens uses Clinical Hypnosis in her practice, and specialises in smoking cessation. She coaches individuals as part of an Employee Assistance Program and regularly runs ‘Group Coaching for Smokers’ workshops in organizations. These are a short series of non-threatening, non-judgemental group coaching where people are able to gain understanding and insights into their smoking. Groups can provide that extra level of support that can often only be gained with peers.  Dr. Stephens also uses the same powerful tools with individuals in workshops for weight loss, sleep difficulties, stress, and confidence building.

For any questions or for more information visit our Enquiry Page or feel free to call us at 07 3211 1117.