What is Hypnotherapy?

Written By: Oliver Smith

What is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is a process where your practitioner uses hypnosis to improve a condition, change unwanted behaviours or resolve phobias. 

How does Hypnosis feel?

Hypnosis is a state of altered consciousness where the individual experiences a deep feeling of relaxation combined with a sense of increased focus.

What does a session entail?

The main focus of the first session(s) is to establish the hypnotic state. There’s a learning curve, some people are naturally gifted. For some, it can require a bit of work.

Once a suggestible state has been achieved, during the following sessions the hypnotherapist will use suggestions to support the client towards his goals.

What are some conditions I can improve with hypnotherapy?

There are many things that hypnotherapy can assist with, including:

• Unwanted habits such as smoking, overeating, nailbiting, etc.
• Fears and phobias with height (acrophobia), enclosed spaces (claustrophobia), abandonment, surgery and more
• Weight loss, including struggles with food cravings and body image issues
• Trauma, grief and loss
• Anxiety, confidence and communication issues
• And many more including helping alleviate physical symptoms of diseases and illnesses^[1][2][3]

How am I supposed to feel afterwards?

Most people feel very relaxed after a session. However, depending on what has been suggested, some may feel also very energized after their session.

Do I know what's happening when I am undergoing hypnotherapy?

Absolutely. There can be feelings of disassociation while maintaining a relaxed state. Even though there are some similarities with REM sleep, the client will hear everything the therapist says.

Should I be worried about hypnotherapy making me do things that I don't want to do?

Hypnotherapy is a very powerful intervention that has to be built on trust. I like to see the hypnotherapist and the client as partners working together towards a common goal, which is to improve the client’s wellbeing.

For example, if a client has a fear of public speaking, he will not want to speak in front of an assembly. With hypnosis, this fear can be changed into a feeling of excitement, thus leading to a desire to speak in front of a crowd. In that sense, while a client has the power to close themselves to the hypnotherapist, it is also possible for the hypnotherapist to make someone do what they don’t want to do.

Can I be hypnotized if I have ADHD?

Yes, there are methods in which we can encourage someone with ADHD to be hypnotised. However, it does require the client to be able to follow instructions. ADHD clients can potentially benefit greatly from hypnotherapy.

Is it possible for hypnotherapy to make me forget a certain memory/person?

Yes but this is not recommended. Memories and other experiences shape and define who we are. We normally recommend people to detach (forget) the negative emotional component associated with the memory/person than forget the whole thing in order to retain the experience itself.

References

1. Maher-Loughnan, G.P. (1970). “Hypnosis and AutoHypnosis for the Treatment of Asthma.” International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 18, 1- 14.

2. Domangue, B.B., Margolis, C.G., Lieberman, D. & Kaji, H. (1985). “Biochemical Correlates of Hypnoanalgesia in Arthritic Pain Patients.” Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 46, 235-238.

3. Ginandes, CS, Rosenthal, DI.1999, “Using hypnosis to accelerate the healing of bone fractures: a randomized controlled pilot study”, Therapy Health Medicine, May, 5(2), pp.67-75.