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HYPNOTHERAPY
What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a state of mind that we all naturally drift into from time to time. Those moments when you’re staring into space, your mind wanders or you are fully focused on something are all examples of a hypnotic trance state. According to brain scans, people in hypnosis show a shift in brainwave activity from a Beta state to Alpha or Theta states. This is similar to the way the brain behaves during meditation or deep relaxation.
When our mind is in this state, our subconscious (also known as the unconscious) is more open to suggestion. Our subconscious is the part of the mind that we’re not aware of, but influences our thoughts and behaviours.
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The hypnotherapist offers suggestions during this state to help alter thought patterns. This technique is ideal for changing habits, overcoming anxiety and reducing stress.
How do suggestions work in hypnotherapy?
Suggestions in hypnotherapy aim to influence your subconscious positively. You might think of a suggestion as the seed of an idea. Hypnotherapists plant these seeds which then grow new thought patterns and/or change any unhelpful ones.
The suggestions made will depend on why you are seeking hypnotherapy. For example, if you are struggling with anxiety, your hypnotherapist can use suggestions to encourage a change in anxious thought patterns. They may suggest to your subconscious that you let go of worries easily or that you can cope with stressful situations. If these suggestions are accepted, you may notice a change in how you react to situations that previously triggered anxiety.
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What is an example of a suggestion in hypnotherapy?
While the exact suggestion used will depend on what you're seeking support for and your hypnotherapist, here are some examples of what suggestions sound like in hypnotherapy:
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"With every passing day, you trust yourself more and believe in yourself."
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"Sleep comes to you easily and every morning you wake feeling refreshed."
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"When a stressful situation arises, you feel calm, confident and in control."
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Will hypnotherapy work for me?
It’s important at this point to highlight that some people are naturally more susceptible to hypnosis than others. Other factors contribute to success in hypnotherapy too, such as:
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your willingness to undergo hypnosis
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your advocacy of the process
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your trust in the therapist
Hypnotherapy can feel like magic at times, but it is not in fact ‘magic’. It is a form of therapy that, like many other types, relies on work from both the client and the hypnotherapist.
Being at ease with your therapist is paramount. The more relaxed you are and confident in your therapist's abilities, the more likely it is that you’ll be in the right state to receive suggestions.
If all the right factors are in place, hypnotherapy can be effective for almost anyone. Those who may benefit from different approaches include those with symptoms of psychosis.
Hypnotherapy techniques, in particular, are well suited to those looking to change a habit, behaviour or way of thinking. Depending on the concern, you may be recommended to pair hypnotherapy with counselling/psychotherapy. The two can work very well together, especially on deep-seated behaviours.
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What is hypnotherapy used for?
Hypnotherapy techniques can be used for a wide range of concerns, but the most common include:
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anxiety, fears and phobias
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sleep disorders
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stress
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low self-confidence and low self-esteem
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quitting habits like smoking
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weight loss
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PTSD
When used alongside other approaches, like counselling, it can also help with relationship difficulties, depression and other mental health concerns.