What is Hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is a therapy that requires hypnosis. The hypnotherapist uses the tool of hypnosis. The skilled hypnotherapist takes you on a beautiful journey and asks you to use that part of the mind that speaks the language of imagination. Since the subconscious mind understands that language so well, if used accurately and mixed with the right feelings and emotions, the desired results can be achieved.
Why Go to a Hypnotherapist?
A good hypnotherapist will use all the right language. All the positive words, statements, and suggestions will be personalized as per the client’s ultimate needs and desires, guiding them to an altered state. Once in this altered state of consciousness, you become highly receptive, meaning there is minimal interference from the conscious mind, allowing positive suggestions for your benefit and well-being to be accepted.
Let’s take an example of a positive statement: If I were to tell you, “you will never smoke” or “you will never eat unhealthy again,” the subconscious mind might interpret this incorrectly. The subconscious mind does not do negation; it ignores words like NOT, NEVER, SHOULDN’T, and COULDN’T. So, such statements are understood as “You WILL smoke” or “You WILL eat unhealthy.”
Hence, going to a skilled hypnotherapist helps because they will craft suggestions carefully and know exactly how to use language, even if negative words are necessary, to achieve the desired outcome.
What is Hypnotherapy Good For?
Hypnotherapy is good for everything, including:
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Depression (if not taking any antidepressants)
- Lack of confidence
- Inferiority complex
- Nail biting
- Weight management
- Quitting smoking
- Negative thinking
- Self-love
- Rebuilding trust
- Pain management
- Managing sleep
The list is endless.
What Are the Kinds of Hypnotherapy?
There are many ways to deal with a particular problem, symptom, or issue through hypnotherapy. For example:
- Suggestions Hypnotherapy: Best for issues like quitting smoking or pain management. It has a success rate of 30-60%, similar to medications.
- Hypnoanalysis or Free Association: Pioneered by Sigmund Freud, it is used for multiple psychological symptoms like anxiety, lack of self-confidence, and cumulative traumas. It helps the client regress suppressed emotions to the conscious mind for better understanding and resolution. The success rate is around 90-95%.
- Regression to Cause Therapy: Helps clients understand the root cause of fears or phobias, such as fear of flying, by revisiting the initial event. This therapy allows clients to release negative emotions tied to past events.
Free Association explores wider areas of the client’s life, clearing up unresolved emotions, while Regression to Cause Therapy focuses on specific symptoms.
Advantages of Free Association:
- Explores broader areas of the client’s life.
- Clears unresolved emotions and "unfinished business."
Both Free Association and Regression to Cause Therapy are excellent tools for alleviating or facilitating change, with effects that are long-lasting as they work on the subconscious level.
Start with the Basics
Learn what hypnosis is and what it can do. Clear any myths and discuss them with a professional if needed. Asking for help is the first step. Remember:
- You are not alone.
- Make peace of mind your priority.
- Don’t let anything or anyone demotivate you—not even yourself.
- You are unique and don’t need fixing, only reprogramming.
- The resources to achieve your goals are within you.
