What are some myths about hypnosis?
What is the difference between hypnosis and hypnotherapy?
What happens during a hypnotherapy session?
What do you mean by suggestions?
What do I need access to for online hypnotherapy?
What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a state of focused attention and heightened suggestibility where an individual's mind becomes more open to suggestions. It's a trance-like state characterized by increased relaxation, concentration, and suggestibility to ideas.
During hypnosis, a person remains conscious and aware, but their attention becomes more focused, allowing them to be more receptive to suggestions. This heightened state of awareness can be used for various purposes, including:
- Therapeutic Uses: Hypnosis is often used as a therapeutic technique to help individuals manage pain, reduce stress, overcome fears or phobias, improve self-esteem, and address certain behavioral issues like smoking cessation or weight loss.
- Entertainment: Hypnosis is also popularly used for entertainment purposes, where a hypnotist performs on stage by engaging volunteers to perform amusing or theatrical acts under hypnosis.
- Self-Improvement: Some individuals use self-hypnosis techniques to enhance their focus, confidence, or motivation.
Why it's done
Utilizing hypnosis can prove to be an effective strategy for managing stress and anxiety, especially in the context of medical procedures like a breast biopsy. It has the potential to alleviate the emotional strain associated with such situations, offering a means to foster a more relaxed and composed state of mind.
145 Ways Hypnotherapy Might Help You
How you prepare
No specific preparation is required for hypnosis. Opting for comfortable clothing can contribute to a more relaxed experience. Adequate rest beforehand is advisable to minimize the likelihood of falling asleep during the session, as the primary intention is to induce a state of relaxation.
What you can expect
Prior to commencement, whether it be in person or in zoom, Anne will elucidate the hypnosis process and discuss your treatment objectives. Typically, the session starts with a gentle and soothing tone, articulating descriptions of images that foster feelings of relaxation, security, and overall well-being.
In a state of relaxation and calmness, you will be guided towards achieving your goals. This may involve suggestions such as techniques to alleviate pain or diminish cravings to smoke. Additionally, Anne will assist you in visualizing vivid and meaningful mental images of successfully accomplishing your objectives.
At the conclusion of the session, you will be counted up back into the room and gradually and comfortably increasing your alertness.
Contrary to portrayals in movies or stage acts, individuals undergoing hypnosis do not lose control over their behavior. They typically maintain awareness throughout the session and retain recollection of the experience.
With time and practice, you may develop the skill of self-hypnosis. In this state, you can reach a level of relaxation and calm without the guidance of a healthcare provider. This skill can prove beneficial in various situations, such as preparing for surgery or other medical procedures.
What are some myths about hypnosis?
Myth: Hypnosis isn’t real. It’s a form of entertainment.
Hypnosis is not a theatrical or mystical performance. Clinical hypnosis is a form of medical therapy commonly integrated into treatment plans alongside traditional medical approaches. It serves as a legitimate and established component of comprehensive healthcare strategies.
Myth: You lose consciousness or have amnesia when you’re hypnotized.
The majority of individuals retain full awareness of their surroundings, identity, and the events that transpire during a hypnosis session. It is common for people to remember everything that happens, dispelling the misconception that hypnosis involves a loss of awareness or memory.
Myth: You’re under the control of your hypnotherapist when you’re hypnotized.
The hypnotist or hypnotherapist serves as a guide during the hypnosis process, but it is fundamentally an individual undertaking. Hypnosis is a self-directed experience, and it's crucial to note that individuals cannot be compelled to act against their will. Personal information intended to remain confidential will not be involuntarily disclosed, and there is no loss of control over behavior during hypnosis. While hypnosis facilitates the reception of suggestions, it does not coerce individuals into specific experiences.
Myth: Hypnosis is nothing more than deep sleep.
Hypnosis should not be confused with sleep. Although certain deeper forms of hypnosis may cause the individual to appear as if they are asleep due to stillness and tranquility, it's important to clarify that hypnosis does not involve actual sleep. The individual remains in a state of heightened awareness and responsiveness during hypnosis, even if their physical state may resemble that of sleep.
How does it all work?
There are four stages of hypnosis: induction, deepener, suggestions and emergence.
Induction
In this initial stage, you initiate relaxation, direct your attention, and filter out distractions. Your hypnotherapist will lead you through this process using specific techniques, which may include controlled breathing (inhaling over a count of seven and exhaling over a count of 11), progressive muscle relaxation (contracting and releasing muscles in coordination with your breath), or concentration on a visual image. These methods contribute to the induction of a focused and tranquil state.
Deepener
The second stage builds upon the initial one, intensifying your relaxation and focus to a deeper level. This phase commonly includes techniques like counting down or employing descending imagery, such as walking down stairs or gradually sinking into a comfortable bed. The primary goal of these first two stages is to enhance your receptivity to suggestions.
Suggestions
This stage is where the actual transformation in experience, behavior, or perception takes place. Your hypnotherapist employs imagery and precise language, providing suggestions that are typically symptom-focused to address specific issues or exploratory to delve into experiences related to the onset of symptoms. These suggestions may target changes in perception, sensation, emotion, memory, thought, or behavior, facilitating the desired therapeutic outcome.
- Example: To quit smoking, you’ll learn to identify your triggers to want to smoke, learn positive ways to change, understand resources to effect change, disrupt your pattern, attach a better response, notice the difference and install the changed behavior. You may be encouraged to see your “old” self with black lungs in a mirror behind you and see your “new” healthy self with clean lungs in a mirror in front. You’ll then be guided to choose which self you like and to walk toward that self.
Emergence
During this stage, you come out of hypnosis. Your hypnotist may use reverse deepeners, such as giving you the suggestions that you’re climbing up stairs or counting up.
Can anyone be hypnotized?
Individual susceptibility to hypnosis varies, with fears or concerns about the process potentially impacting one's ability to be hypnotized. Personal attitudes and apprehensions play a role in determining the effectiveness of hypnosis for each person.
Is hypnotherapy dangerous?
When conducted by a trained therapist, hypnotherapy is considered a safe procedure. It's essential to dispel misconceptions—hypnotherapy is not a form of mind control or brainwashing. A qualified therapist cannot compel you to do something embarrassing or against your will. The process involves collaboration and is designed to promote positive changes aligned.
What is the difference between hypnosis and hypnotherapy?
In very simple terms, hypnosis can be described as the act of guiding someone into a hypnotic state of the trance. Whereas hypnotherapy combines hypnosis with talking therapy, (also referred to as psychotherapy). There are different kinds of talking therapies, and they all have a common goal, they aim to help you overcome stress or emotional problems. Combining Hypnosis with talking therapy is unique and powerful because it creates positive changes at both the conscious and subconscious levels, which is very different to many forms of traditional counselling, which is why hypnotherapy can be so beneficial, because in a relaxed trance state during hypnosis it allows ideas and solutions discussed to be fully explored and utilised by the brain for positive benefit.
What happens during a hypnotherapy session?
Hypnotherapy sessions usually begin by talking so the therapist can understand your situation. This allows you to explore new possibilities in a safe and neutral environment without the influence and opinions of others.
Once you've finished the talking therapy, your therapist will use hypnosis to guide you into a relaxed state of focused attention by asking you to think about or imagine certain things. This hypnotic state of trance helps you calmly look and think about the things that have been discussed during the talking therapy and allows you to make new decisions about your future behaviours so you'll be able to think more clearly and feel more relaxed and rational after the session has ended.
Sometimes people have misconceptions about hypnotherapy thinking it is something which is done to them by the therapist to magically fix their issue, however, the reality is quite different. It's important to understand that change happens because you want it to happen and when you're ready and prepared to take action towards making some changes as you work with the therapist over a number of sessions together.
What do you mean by suggestions?
All suggestions during hypnosis are made to help bring about positive changes by helping you change your thought patterns. You won't need to talk or reveal anything about yourself, in fact clients often comment about how 'ordinary' hypnosis feels, a but like daydreaming. You can often hear everything that's being said whilst being in a deeply relaxed state.
What do I need access to for online hypnotherapy?
- A reliable internet connection
- Laptop, PC or device with good sound and camera
- A quiet comfortable place where you won't be disturbed
- Headphones allow you to be fully immersed during hypnosis
- Remember to turn off notifications on your devices and phones
Can a session be done online?
Absolutely, some people feel even more relaxed and comfortable working from their own home or office which can only add to the positive outcome as we work together. In fact, recent research backs this up and with one report concluding that online therapy lead to better progress and was more effective compared to face to face therapy.