Hello and Welcome!
I'm Helen, the creator and lead therapist behind Bunbury Hypnotherapy.
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My philosophy is that what got you here, won't get you there. In other words, if you want to achieve a different result you need to vary your approach, or you'll end up in the same place.
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Now, I don't know about you, but I spent many years wanting to do things differently but not knowing how.
That quest to understand how I could confidently do things that I found hard but other people seemed to find easy, led me to clinical hypnosis and strategic psychotherapy.
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I've achieved things I never thought possible and now, nothing makes me happier than helping other people move past their fears and worries to unlock their potential.
Why Hypnotherapy?
I am naturally curious about life but when I was younger I had so many doubts and insecurities that I held myself back from doing many interesting or fun things. Sometimes I wasn't sure if I could do them and didn't want to risk failing. Sometimes I knew I had the skill to do something but just couldn't face being seen or heard. Today my voice is my greatest asset and I am so glad I found it.
My first experience of Hypnotherapy was as a client and I was thrilled with the results. I was dreading an event that was coming up. In fact, I was absolutely terrified. The therapist gave me the skills to take myself into a centred calm state where I was in control and I breezed through the event with ease. I knew then that this was a skill that had so many potential applications and I wanted to learn more.
The Beginnings of Change
And so my journey into this profession started with that seed being planted. Over the years I have studied many different types of hypnosis plus counselling, strategic psychotherapy, NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming), TLT (Time Line Technique), coaching, leadership and management, as well as qigong and meditation, for that mind-body-breath connection.
After many years working in education, being a Mum, moving around the world, and having a wide range of other roles and experiences I eventually became a full-time Clinical Hypnotherapist. There was a time when I regretted not going straight into higher education after leaving school but now I understand the value of all that lived experience. It really is, never too late to change the way you think or act, or to start something new and succeed.
What to Expect as a Hypnosis Client?
Whether you have worked with a Hypnotherapist before or are completely new to it, I understand that you may have questions or preconceived ideas about the experience.
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Let's explore what the therapeutic use of hypnosis is all about and answer some basic questions. There are some FAQ's at the bottom of the page and if there's anything I've missed feel free to contact me for further information.
What is Hypnotherapy?
Definitions vary but for me, Hypnotherapy is the process of providing therapeutic suggestions to a person while they are in a focused state. You may have already experienced a similar state to hypnosis and called it being in the zone or in a trance.
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Hypnosis in this context, is all about letting go of distractions so that you can deeply consider those therapeutic suggestions and become absorbed in developing supportive strategies for doing everyday tasks better.
What Does Hypnosis Feel Like?
Hypnosis is a naturally occurring state that you may already be familiar with. If you've ever got really absorbed doing something you enjoy, like listening to your favourite music, reading a good book, or doing sport, and temporarily let go of your worries, then you already know what self-hypnosis feels like.
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In the clinical setting, the experience is slightly different for each person and depends on which type of hypnosis is being used. Some people feel like they are simply listening comfortably, some feel deeply relaxed and others feel their mind engaging and becoming clearer or opening up to possibilities.
Can Anybody be Hypnotised?
Most people can be hypnotised if they can understand and follow simple instructions, however, the client has full control over whether they wish to follow the process. Changes occur when the client in hypnosis, agrees with and finds value in, the suggestions that the therapist is making.
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If the client has been sent by another person to do something that they are not willing or ready to do, then the therapist cannot achieve an outcome against the client's will. The process is a partnership.
How do you Hypnotise People?
The traditional image of hypnosis is someone swinging a pocket watch or pendulum, in front of the eyes. In reality, there are many ways to guide a person into a hypnotic state.
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For me, my voice is my main tool. Hypnosis occurs because of the way that I speak and the words that I use. I often record hypnotic sessions for clients to use at home. Some hypnosis is done while relaxing with eyes closed and other work is done with eyes open looking at a fixed point or a moving object.
How Many Hypnosis Sessions Will I Need?
Most of my Hypnotherapy clients have between 3 and 6 sessions, with the first one being 2 hours long and the rest being 90 minutes. The actual number depends on whether we are working on one or more issues and a range of other factors.
Shorter sessions are available for children and teenagers.
Sessions are generally held a week apart. Audio recordings and/or other tasks are provided to help you make quick progress between sessions. These tasks are an important part of the process.
"Helen makes it so easy to relax with her most soft calming voice, it's magical."
B.M.
What Should I Bring to a Hypnosis Session?
To get the most out of a session, come along with an open mind and any questions you wish to ask. I recommend you wear comfortable clothes. Water is provided and I encourage you to stay hydrated.
I will work with you to find the best position for you to feel at ease. There are supportive armchairs and a super comfortable meditation chair to relax in and there is plenty of room to accommodate a wheelchair. If you prefer relaxing with a cover, blankets are provided. You are also very welcome to bring your own light blanket.
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Is this service available through Medicare?Bunbury Hypnotherapy is a private practice. Our service is not available through Medicare.
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Do you offer online appointments?Yes, video consults are available within Australia.
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Do you offer evening or weekend appointments?Yes, we offer appointments on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings.
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Is this service available under a Mental Health Care Plan?Bunbury Hypnotherapy is a private practice. Our service is not available through Medicare and therefore not available under a Mental Health Care Plan.
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Do you offer telephone appointments?We offer telephone appointments for enquiries, planning and reviews only. Hypnotherapy consults are done either in person or via video link.
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Do you work with NDIA-managed NDIS participants?No, we are sorry but we are not able to work with NDIA-managed NDIS participants.
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Do you work with self-managed NDIS participants?Yes, depending on the plan details, we do work with self-managed NDIS participants We provide therapy services to NDIS participants living with disability-related anxiety, to help build capacity for engaging in daily living activities as well as social, educational, or work activities. ​Please enquire for further information.
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Do you work with plan-managed NDIS participants?Yes, depending on the plan details, we do work with plan-managed NDIS participants. We provide therapy services to NDIS participants living with disability-related anxiety, to help build capacity for engaging in daily living activities as well as social, educational, or work activities. ​We welcome enquiries from individuals, plan managers, and support coordinators.
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Can I claim on my health fund policy for hypnotherapy?Helen Jenour is recognised as an ancillary services provider for hypnotherapy services with a range of health funds. Invoices can be provided to make a claim for a rebate. Eligibility rules and payments vary considerably between different policies. Please contact us for further information.
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Can I claim on my Medibank policy for hypnotherapy?Helen Jenour is registered as a hypnotherapist for ancillary services with Medibank Private. Policies vary widely. Please check with Medibank Private whether yours includes the services of a hypnotherapist.
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Can I claim on my HBF policy for hypnotherapy?Helen Jenour is registered as a hypnotherapist for ancillary services with HBF. Policies vary widely. Please check with HBF whether yours includes the services of a hypnotherapist.
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Can I pay in instalments?For clients that wish to pay in instalments we accept Afterpay.
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What methods of payment do you accept?Payments can be made by cash, card, online or using Afterpay.
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Is Hypnotherapy safe?Hypnotherapy with a well-qualified and supervised therapist is very safe. A good Hypnotherapist will ask questions about your medical history to check for contra-indications and make sure that therapy using hypnosis is appropriate for you. You should always get checked by a medical doctor if you have physical symptoms. Hypnotherapy can be very effective at reducing the experience of pain, so it is important that any physical causes that may need medical treatment are ruled out first. Hypnotherapy is a complementary therapy that can be used alongside medical treatment but does not replace it. Hypnotherapists are not medical doctors and do not diagnose illness.
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Are there standards or quality controls for Hypnotherapists?Standards for Hypnotherapists in Australia are set by Hypnotherapy associations. There are a number of different associations and training requirements for membership vary. Association membership is not compulsory, so many Hypnotherapists are unregistered. The Hypnotherapy Council of Australia (HCA) is the peak body that represents the 5 major associations, 12 schools, and over 500 clinicians. The oldest and largest association is The Australian Hypnotherapists' Association (AHA). Professional members of the AHA must meet their high training standards and continue to meet their high standards of ongoing supervision and professional development. Clinical Members of the AHA must also have a higher level of experience. Information about the accreditation of our Clinical Hypnotherapist, Helen Jenour can be found on our Accreditation page.
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Can you take control of my mind?No, absolutely not! This is a myth based mainly on dramatic effects used in movies and entertainment shows. Some people may have seen a stage hypnotist get people to do silly things to entertain the audience. The reality is that stage hypnotists are skilled at reading body language and misdirecting people. They deliberately create the illusion of mind control to impress the audience. The process often begins with multiple volunteers from the audience who are then put through various activities. This allows the entertainer to decide who is most willing and suitable to work with them and produce the best show. If you are somebody who likes the spotlight you are likely to volunteer for the show, however, if you can't think of anything worse than having people laughing at you on stage your body language would clearly indicate this to the trained eye. Hypnosis is a partnership, it requires the subject to be open and willing to work with the hypnotist.
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Who is Hypnotherapy suitable for?Hypnotherapy is suitable for children, adults, and seniors who are able to understand everyday spoken language. Stories and metaphors may be used which means that even young children can benefit from clinical hypnosis. More direct language can be used for those who struggle with metaphors. The therapist at Bunbury Hypnotherapy only offers her service in English. Although translators are available, the translation would not automatically be hypnotic and therefore less effective. If you have a limited understanding of spoken English we may be able to help you find another therapist who speaks a more suitable language. Hypnotherapy is suitable for people with a range of diagnoses that include anxiety, panic, obsessive behaviour, autism, and ADD/ADHD. Our therapist does not work with clients who have schizophrenia, psychosis, bipolar disorder, or borderline personality disorder. For these conditions, you are recommended to work with a psychiatrist or psychologist.