How does Hypnotherapy work?
Hypnosis - one of the most misunderstood treatment modalities around. For every person that praises its efficacy for every little problem there is another claiming it is naught more than expensive daydreaming. The truth, like almost everything in life, lies somewhere in the middle. And like anything else that we wish to understand, it is useful to begin by defining our terms.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines hypnosis as “a trancelike state that resembles sleep but is induced by a person whose suggestions are readily accepted by the subject”.
Trance is then further defined as “a) a sleep like state (as of deep hypnosis) usually characterized by partly suspended animation with diminished or absent sensory and motor activity & b) a state of profound abstraction or absorption”.
To put this into terms that we can use to discuss this fascinating and highly controversial subject – we may say that in hypnosis, or rather in a hypnotic state, you might find yourself somewhere between being fully conscious and in a daydream. The majority of the outside stimuli that you would ordinarily attend to has been filtered out and you will tend to focus on one particular thing, usually the hypnotherapists voice.
The hypnotherapist, after inducing a trance, will then intersperse their narrative with beneficial suggestions relevant to the issue that you present with.
So why the need for the trance? Why can’t we just listen to someone telling us what we should do in order to make our lives better, or to stop smoking/drinking or whatever it may be? You already know the answer to that. It doesn’t work.
The beauty about hypnosis and the trance state is that the critical faculty, the conscious mind, is bypassed long enough for the suggestions to slip in through the back door.
Now this does not mean that we will take on any suggestion that happens to come by when we are not fully paying attention. It takes repetition and a surprisingly large amount of it. This is not to say that we are not capable of one trial learning – we are – but for things to stick and real changes to our behaviour to be made there needs be repetition, and structured repetition at that.
The hypnotherapist will find many different ways to say the same thing, using linguistic suggestions such as metaphor and/or analogy to get the suggestion across in as many ways possible. Quite often posthypnotic directions are suggested – to be carried out by the subconscious in the future in response to some suggested and pre-primed cue.
Once the main part of the session is complete, the therapist will guide the client up and out of the trance state and into a waking, refreshed state of body and mind.
Typically, a client will see a hypnotherapist anywhere from 3 through to 6 or 7 times for any particular issue.
Usually considered as an aid to psychotherapy, hypnosis creates a space where people can explore memories, feelings and thoughts that are so painful that they have hidden them from conscious awareness.
Two Important Ways Hypnosis Is Used
Hypnosis can be used in two ways that are of benefit to the client: suggestion therapy and patient analysis.
Suggestion therapy: Allows the person to be better able to respond to suggestions and change certain behaviours i.e. such as stopping smoking or nail biting. Also it is particularly useful in treating pain.
Analysis: Uses the trance state to explore possible psychological root causes of symptom or disorders. By revealing hidden trauma through hypnosis, they are now made available for addressing with psychotherapy.
What Are the Benefits of Hypnosis?
Trance, and a good hypnotherapist, will allow you to become more open to suggestion and discussion. Hypnosis has proved time and time again to be highly effective in helping people move beyond hidden limitations so that they can enjoy fuller, richer lives.
Will Hypnosis Work for Me?
Some people are under the impression that they are unhypnotizable. In fact – it is quite common to hear them say, after leaving a hypnotherapist, that they can remember everything and therefore it must have been a waste of time and money.
HOWEVER…Therapeutic Change Only Happens in Light Trance
The most effective change work in hypnosis only happens in the light stages of trance. Sure – all the funny stuff we see in stage hypnosis involves deep trance phenomena – however that is pure entertainment with little to no therapeutic value.
Hypnosis has also been shown to help with achieving deep states of relaxation and meditative concentration. It is used extensively in A-level sports because of the distinct advantage it gives athletes over their competitors mentally – and even physically in some cases.
Many people around the world have used hypnosis to better their lives in ways that they never before dreamed possible. Sometimes this was as simple as being able to see things from a different perspective that lead to seeing new opportunities and avenues for advancement. Still others have used the power of hypnosis to manage their pain from chronic illnesses or to push themselves further in their fields then they would have otherwise dared.
Bottom Line: Hypnosis is a powerful treatment modality that, when used by a trusted and capable therapist, may produce lasting results by utilising the clients own internal resources and the power of their subconscious mind.
