Hypnotherapy is a type of psychotherapy. It’s typically used to initiate a change in a person while he/she is in a sleep-state or a state of unconsciousness otherwise known as hypnosis. The therapy makes use of guided techniques for relaxation done by a trained hypnotherapist. The process would invoke feelings of intense concentration, relaxation, and focus. These are important so that the person can achieve a trance-like state or a state of heightened awareness.
Hypnotherapy is typically used as one of the aids in psychotherapy. This is mainly because of the calmer nature brought on by the person being in a hypnotic state. It allows the therapist to help the person explore painful emotions and suppressed feelings or memories which are usually hidden from the conscious mind.
How does Hypnotherapy Work?
We’ve discussed how hypnotherapy allows a person to enter into an unconscious state. This is an essential feature of the therapy because it allows the conscious mind to connect to the subconscious. To understand the workings of hypnotherapy better, think of the brain as a file system of a computer. The subconscious is like the computer’s hard drive. This is where people store every emotion, thought, and experience they’ve had.
Now, when a person undergoes hypnotherapy and enters a relaxed and focused state of hypnosis, the hypnotherapist can perform a “search” on the person’s subconscious. This means that the therapist can retrieve buried emotions and suppressed memories which are causing mental problems of issues.
Methods Used In Hypnotherapy
There are two primary methods used in hypnotherapy namely suggestion therapy and the analysis method. When a therapist performs suggestion therapy, he relies on the ability of a patient to respond to the suggestions he provides while still in the trance-like or unconscious state. This method is typically used to regulate or eliminate harmful habits or behaviors.
On the other hand, the analysis method has a more exploratory nature. It’s also known as regression therapy where the hypnotherapist would try to uncover the root of a disorder, symptom or issue. Therefore, this method is commonly used to find the cause of the problem to treat it correctly.
Why do people go through Hypnotherapist?
Although hypnotherapy is becoming quite popular, a lot of people still consider it as a non-scientific form of therapy. But it’s a legitimate process which can be very beneficial to patients. This is especially true when there’s a need to explore a person’s subconscious mind to help them more effectively.
This is also a significant form of therapy which can help relieve a person of problems or symptoms they’re experiencing. It’s especially useful for people who suffer from addiction and pain. This therapy is also beneficial when combined with other types or forms of therapy.
Difference between Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy
Hypnosis and hypnotherapy are not similar terms. Simply put, hypnosis is a tool and hypnotherapy is the process of using that tool. Hypnosis is when a person enters a trance-like state through the guidance of the therapist. Hypnotherapy is the process of applying hypnosis for therapy.
This means that if you’re a therapist or a doctor and you use hypnosis to treat your patients, you’re performing hypnotherapy. This form of therapy is beneficial especially if the one practicing it is well-educated and knows precisely what he’s doing.
Using Hypnosis with Other Treatments
When a doctor or therapist learns hypnotherapy, this doesn’t mean that he/she has to change his/her therapy practice drastically. It just says that the therapist would determine a new way to deal with their patients’ problems in a faster and more effective manner.
One great thing about hypnotherapy is that the doctor can use it along with other treatments. For instance, he can use the method to find out the cause of an issue. Once he knows the underlying cause, he can employ a different form of therapy to treat the patient’s medical or psychological issue.
When do you need Hypnotherapy?
We’ve already mentioned how hypnotherapy is beneficial. In fact, this form of therapy is widely endorsed as an effective treatment for breaking bad habits and other stress-related problems. It’s also very beneficial for the treatment of long-term conditions.
Of course, more evidence is still needed to support the use of hypnotherapy as an alternative treatment to traditional medicine. Even so, a lot of people still see the process as very effective whether used on its own or in combination with other treatments.
Helps to Lose Weight or Leave Bad Habits
People who want to lose weight but have a lot of difficulties may consider undergoing hypnotherapy. Through this, the person can overcome the feelings of depriving which usually come with dieting. It’s also an excellent method to use for people who want to make considerable changes in their eating habits. Going through hypnotherapy can be a long-term way to stay healthy and slim.
Aside from losing weight, this form of therapy is also helpful for those who want to break their bad habits like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. This is one of the most successful methods one can use to easily and safely stop smoking, drinking alcohol, or other bad habits.
Helps to Overcome Negative Emotions
When a person has a lot of phobias and fears, it can start restricting them or holding them back. This happens because the unconscious mind always works to protect us from physical harm and emotional pain. If a person experienced something traumatic thing in the past, the unconscious would then strive to protect him, and so these phobias and fears arise.
Through hypnotherapy, a doctor or therapist can locate the cause of these phobias and fears. Then, he/she can resolve the issue to reduce or eliminate the negative feelings. The therapy is also very useful in helping people overcome feelings of depression and anxiety.
Improves a Person’s Life
Reducing stress through hypnosis and hypnotherapy is one of the simplest ways to experience profound relaxation. It’s an incredibly useful way to improve a person’s overall well-being and health. This will leave the person refreshed, calmer, and more positive about life.
Through this form of therapy, the doctor can help reprogram a person’s mind. This may help the person reach his/her goals in love, career, finances, and more. It can also help improve a person’s self-esteem and confidence. When it comes to hypnotherapy, there are so many possibilities.
Thinks to Look for in a Good Hypnotherapist
Hypnotherapists have different rates since they also employ different methods to achieve success. The therapist needs to know which way would work best on the patient’s specific issue or problem.
This form of therapy is a trust-based process which requires a lot of effort from the therapist to learn all he can about the patient. So before allowing a hypnotherapist to work with you, it’s essential to learn more about him/her and ask as many questions as you can to determine how much he/she knows about it.