Hypnotherapy is an excellent means of helping individuals or groups of people overcome unwanted habits (like smoking and nail-biting), weight reduction, stress relief, improving self-confidence, releasing unnatural fears and phobias. In fact, hypnosis, when correctly used, is one of the safest and most effective tools in the healing profession.

Did you know that 7 million South Africans smoke cigarettes? Of those, 70% would choose to quit if they could. Are you one of these? How many of us would not like to lose a few kilograms? Do you have fears of any sort? Any sexual troubles? The simple solution to any of the above is Hypnotherapy.

As the 21st Century unfolds, hypnotherapy is altering many aspects of the health professions and is truly revolutionizing the counselling professions.
You only have to honestly and truly want to stop smoking for hypnotherapy to be effective in curing you.
You don’t have to be gifted with great genetics or be extremely athletic to gain or lose weight. Your body size is often determined by psychological factors. The stresses you create for yourself will directly affect your physical state. This is also one of the reasons that hypnotherapy is so effective for improving the performance of professional sports people.

Since early times, man has been fascinated by the mind. It is true to say that the mind controls our whole being. It has been scientifically proven that we are mentally able to control our blood pressure, heart rate, even our deepest inner thoughts.
Modern Hypnosis was truly brought to light by the Austrian physician Franz Mesmer. Since the 1950’s the world has seen a boom in the use of hypnosis and Hypnotherapy for curing nearly any ailment.

Allow Stef to help you make a positive difference in your life. This will have an incredible ripple effect on those around you. Call or email him now.

Stef’s Stop Smoking Guidelines

 Most important Question:

Do you REALLY want to stop smoking/loose weight/relax more/stop biting your nails?

If the answer to this is NOT a definite, sure and convicing (to yourself) YES,  Then you are wasting your money and time and lowering my reputation. If  however the answer is a resounding YES, then this will work for you!

 How to stop:  

- Choose a fixed and non-negotiable date to give up. Stick to it. No matter what. Choose a date that suits you – 1^st Jan, your birthday, next Monday etc.

- Make an appointment with me for that day.

- Find out if you and/or your family have a history of depression. If so, let me know in advance.

- Be really proud of the fact that you are giving up. Tell EVERYONE! Tell Family, friends, fellow workers, mentors and anyone you meet that you will be changing your life and tell them of the big day. Talking about it certainly helps.

- Cut down. Seriously. Go as far as to note on a small pad every time that you smoke from now until the big day. Smoke only half of your cigarette and save the other half for next time. Limit yourself. Smoke the 1^st of the day later in the morning and the last of the day much earlier. Help yourself to make it easier on yourself on the big day.

- If you decide to stop in 20 days from today and you smoked
20 a day, then smoke exactly 18, 16, 14, on each sucessive day as you
countdown to 0 on quitting day.

- Understand and absorb the fact that on the big day you will be stopping “cold turkey”.

- Start changing the habits that involve smoking – Smoky pubs you go to, people you hang out with that cause you to smoke a lot more, “smoke breaks”. Make it harder to have excuses to smoke.

- Find a Support Person. Family, Friend, whoever is close enough to you  to be able to seriously help you in a counseling and supportive way.

- Find healthy alternatives every time you feel like smoking. Best is to drink a glass of water ever time you feel like lighting up. Part of the difficulty with stopping smoking is that your hands need to do something else. Play with a fruit – ANY fruit and then eat it. Even if you don’t like fruit, find a fruit you do like. You cant eat enough of the stuff. Convert. A diet change when quitting is very important. Lots of fruit and veg really help the process. Fruit and veg are wonder foods. Rub your ear lobes every time you even so much as consider smoking. Your earlobes are the acupuncture points for stopping smoking.

Once you have stopped smoking, there will never be “just 1 cigarette” again. This is the most common way that people start again. Be conscious of this.

 Benefits when you have quit: 

You will become healthy. Relatively much healthier (both mentally and physically) than you have been in a long while.

You will save money. A lot of it. Think where that money can then be spent.

You will gain enormous social respect from all around you.

You will live a longer, more fulfilling life.

The benefits start from the first day:

Your blood pressure will drop significantly. After the first day, your blood pressure is close to normal. Your pulse will drop too. Your hands and feet will be warmer.

You will already feel the positive effect.

 Within a week:

Your sense of taste and smell will return. WOW! You missed that while smoking!

Your blood pressure and pulse will be right back to normal.

You will be much less short of breath.

 Within 3 months:

Your lung capacity will increase by a third.

Circulation and blood flow will have been dramatically improved.

Ability to exercise will be better.

 Remember….. Ask yourself  if you really want this and if you truly want to stop smoking. Only then call me.

 The Hypnotherapy Session

 A single session is enough to stop you smoking. After the session you will have no more urge or desire to smoke. You will never again be keen to put a cigarette to your lips.

The whole session takes 1hr – 1h15. First we talk about hypnosis and what will happen, followed by around 40mins of positive suggestion while you sit in a comfortable chair. EVERYBODY CAN BE HYPNOTISED. To be hypnotized, you simply need to consent to the idea, be open-minded and to believe in it. I do not touch you at all.

 You are welcome to call me ANYTIME after the session with any questions, difficulties or suggestions you may have. My door is always open.

Frequently asked questions

How it works
Usually a single session of hypnotherapy is all that is needed. The session generally lasts 1 - 1 ½ hours. It is generally held at Stef’s office (or in a convenient, quiet place).
The effects of this session should be immediate and everlasting.
A preemption is normally faxed or emailed though to the client at.
A brief telephonic discussion on specific requirements is also a good idea.
An appointment is then made.

Stef has a Bachelor of Science degree and studied and practiced Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy extensively for the past 9 years. He trained in Johannesburg with a mentor, the late Cameron Mc Dougal. Since his training, Stef has hypnotised thousands of people of all ages, races, religions and cultures in both stage shows and for therapy. This makes him one of the most experienced hypnotists in Africa. So be it consulting with him in an individual session or a group of work colleagues giving up smoking together, Stef is your man.

'The magic is all inside the mind of the person getting hypnotherapy. The hypnotist simply helps you to use your own untapped hidden power to achieve wonderful things in your life.'

Introductory courses in hypnosis are also offered by Stef. These are aimed at medical professionals, prospective Hypnotherapists, or absolutely anyone with an interest in stage, therapeutic or self-hypnosis. The courses Stef offers are generally in small groups and cover a wide spectrum on hypnosis, including candidates specific needs.

When I am hypnotised, how am I going to feel? Will I know what is going on? Will I be asleep?
You definitely will not be asleep or unconscious. If you were asleep, you would not be able to have a conversation with your hypnotist. During hypnosis you are even more aware of what is going on around you. While under hypnosis, you are in a very relaxed and pleasant state. Hypnosis is best described as an changed state of consciousness, an altered state of awareness. During hypnosis, the person stays in complete control and should they feel uncomfortable during the experience, they can always reopen their eyes and terminate the intervention. Everyone at some point or another has experienced hypnosis. One experiences hypnosis when one misses an exit while driving or when one is so absorbed watching TV or diving into a book that even a person talking will not distract you.
Although some hypnotists use the word sleep as a suggestion to enter deep relaxation, hypnosis is not sleep. Sleep is defined as a "natural periodic suspension of consciousness during which the powers of the body are restored." During sleep, the individual is not aware of what is happening.

Is Hypnosis safe?
Hypnosis is 100% safe when a experienced and competent hypnotherapist practices it.

What does hypnosis feel like?
Hypnosis is a term derived from the Greek word “hypnos”, meaning “sleep” . Hypnosis is very relaxing. However, you never lose awareness during hypnosis. When you are hypnotized, you continue to be aware of your surroundings. Everyone has experienced hypnosis. For example, you may be watching a commercial that you have seen many times and you find yourself very engrossed in it to the point that should a fly land on your nose you will feel lethargic and give yourself plenty of time to decide if you want it away from you. Daydreaming is also a hypnotic state.

Is hypnotherapy in your office like hypnosis on stage? Will you make me dance like a chicken?
Hypnosis, as used in a doctor’s office, is a healing or analytical process. The client's well being is the sole focus of the procedure and the work is geared towards helping the client. No tests are done in hypnotherapy. The Hypnotherapist doesn't even touch the client. Stage hypnosis is a show where people perform acts that are used to entertain an audience. Since the purpose is usually to hold the audience’s interest and to entertain them, the subjects are carefully selected and screened before the stage demonstration begins.

Will I recall anything when the session is over?
You will recall everything unless the hypnotist suggests otherwise. You may be asked to explain things you see or feelings you sense as they come to you.

What can happen to me when the session is over?
There is a good chance that after the session is over and in the days to come, images or memories will surface suddenly to your consciousness. These images could be disturbing (only in rare cases), but remember you can always call your hypnotist.

What if I do not come out of hypnosis?
Everyone comes out of hypnosis. You went into hypnosis freely. So, just as you decided to go into hypnosis, so you will decide to come out of it. There are, on some, some people who enjoy it so much that they resist coming out. But all hypnotists have many different ways to bring the person around. If the hypnotist’s voice is no longer heard, (like if anything happens to the hypnotist during the session) the person will return to consciousness.

Can I bring a friend with me?
Of course. You can bring anyone with you if that makes you comfortable.

Is one asleep or unconscious while under hypnosis?
During hypnosis, one appears asleep but is not. One is calm, but mentally alert. The person is always aware of the direct surroundings.

Can anyone be hypnotised?
Everyone can be hypnotized as long as they want to be. Anyone who wants to be hypnotized can be. Even people with short attention spans can be hypnotized.
Concentration is essential for hypnosis. People with a wide range of intellectual giftedness or limitations can be hypnotized. Even children as young as three can be. Aged people can also be. Hypnosis is like riding a bicycle - you more you do it, the better you get at it. Some people take longer than others to be hypnotised, but anyone can be.

What if I can not go deeply enough?
A light hypnotic state may be sufficient to accomplish the goals of the session. Most people can achieve a trance deep enough to allow for the process. Hypnosis is one of many tools and techniques used to uncover information or to work out problems.

Can a person fabricate experiences while under hypnosis?
Hypnosis is not a truth test. There is no certainty that all knowledge obtained under hypnosis is accurate. Hypnosis can bring back information that has been subdued or forgotten.