Information

What is hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic technique that utilizes the power of hypnosis to help people change their thoughts, behaviors, and feelings (Cochrane, 2019; National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, 2020). Through hypnosis, a trained hypnotherapist can guide a person into a deep state of relaxation to tap into the subconscious mind, which allows the mind to become more receptive to suggestions and positive changes (Olness & Gutheil, 2001).

Simply put, hypnotherapy is similar to meditation or deep relaxation, where you find yourself in very pure and transparent views of what’s going on from within. In other words, during hypnosis in a hypnotherapy session, you can reach a state of clarity and openness to observe your inner experiences more objectively, seeing things as they truly are rather than through the lens of your perceptions. During this time, you engage in a deep conversation with the profound aspects of yourself that reside in your subconscious mind—an area that is often challenging to access. And the hypnotherapist acts as a guide, utilizing their trained techniques to know exactly what to say and what questions to ask to facilitate a conversation with yourself—something you often struggle to do due to the overactivity of your critical conscious mind.

Hypnotherapy is often used to address issues such as anxiety, addiction, phobias, weight loss, smoking cessation (Rosenthal, 2005), pain management, and breaking unwanted habits (Lynn & Kirsch, 2006).

What is not hypnotherapy?

Not Mind Control

Hypnotherapy is not mind control. You will not do anything against your will. The only person who can hypnotize you is yourself, which means all hypnosis is self-hypnosis (ISH, n.d.). Therefore, the hypnotherapist serves as a guide, using their skills to help you relax and focus your attention. A hypnotherapy session is like a collaborative process in which the client actively engages in a conversation with their subconscious mind, guided by the hypnotherapist.

Not Sleep

Hypnotherapy is not sleep even though the client looks like sleeping because they are in deep relaxation with closed eyes. In fact, they are in a state of deep relaxation and are highly focused, fully awake, and aware of their thoughts and actions.

So, you still think your thoughts and being aware of your surrounding, but in a deeply relaxed and focused manner.

How does hypnotherapy work?

Hypnotherapy works by communicating successfully with our subconscious mind, and this conversation can happen during the state of hypnosis.

Transformation is often difficult to achieve at the conscious level. It’s because our mind naturally resists to new information and experiences. When in normal waking state, our brain waves are typically in the Beta range, which reflects awareness and focused thought. In this state, we tend to resist new ideas and judge information based on our established beliefs and patterns. For example, while we may know that waking up early to exercise would be beneficial, we may not follow through due to subconscious habits and fears that hold sway over our conscious minds. This resistance stems from our tendency to cling to what is familiar and comfortable, making it challenging to break established patterns, even when we recognize the benefits of the changes we desire.

Transformation is most effectively achieved at the subconscious level, where our deep-seated beliefs and patterns reside. Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic approach that works directly with the subconscious mind. During the hypnosis of a hypnotherapy session, the client is guided into a deep state of relaxation, also known as a trance state, where their conscious mind relaxes, and so do its critical judgment and resistance, allowing the client to tap into their subconscious mind and engage in a direct conversation with it to uncover the root causes of the issues influencing their thoughts and behaviors. This deep, therapeutic conversation with the subconscious enables them to effectively reprogram their beliefs, habits, and patterns, thus facilitating lasting transformation.

Let’s say this way, if there was a wire connecting your head to a computer measuring your brain waves right now; the screen would display the waves with the spikes in very closed space—called Beta waves, corresponding to the conscious state we experience throughout the day. If you were relaxing while listening to light music, the waves would appear slower and larger than Beta waves—these are the Alpha waves. If you were sleeping, the waves would become much slower and may look like a straight line—these are the Delta waves. Hypnosis occurs in a state between Alpha and Delta—known as Theta waves—slower than Alpha but faster than Delta. Theta waves are linked to deep relaxation with heightened focus and creativity; they represent the waves of the subconscious mind. Theta states often occur during light sleep, deep meditation, or hypnosis, allowing for access to deeper thoughts and emotions, facilitating intuition and enhance creativity (Kandel, Schwartz, & Jessell, 2013).

So, what does this mean for hypnosis? When you’re in a Theta state, you’re open to suggestions and internal exploration at a much deeper level than in your normal waking state, making you more receptive to transforming your beliefs, emotions, and behaviors. Basically, our brain operates differently at different wave states, as illustrated in this chart:

The Four Types of Human Brain Waves and Their Functions

Beta

Normal waking state

These are the brain waves associated with normal waking consciousness and active thinking. They are typically present when we are alert, engaged in problem-solving, or focused on tasks. The frequency range for Beta waves is approximately 12 to 30 Hz.

Alpha

Relaxing state

These brain waves occur during states of relaxation and calmness while still being awake. Alpha waves (around 8 to 12 Hz) are present when you are relaxed but not asleep, such as during meditation or daydreaming.

Theta

Subconscious state

This state is associated with deep relaxation, meditation, and hypnosis. Theta waves (approximately 4 to 8 Hz) are where the mind can experience creativity, intuition, and a deep connection to the subconscious.

Delta

Sleeping state

These are the slowest brain waves (0.5 to 4 Hz) and are predominantly present during deep sleep. Delta waves are critical for restorative sleep and healing processes in the body.

In summary, we’ve covered what hypnotherapy is, what it is not, and how it works. Now, let’s move on to the structure of a typical hypnotherapy session.

As a certified hypnotherapist trained in the Grace Method, I’ve taken the foundation I’ve learned and integrated it with my own insights and experiences to create a unique structure for my sessions, as follows:

Structure of a Hypnotherapy Session

Based on the Grace Method

1

Intake Questions

I will ask insightful questions to better understand your concerns and help you identify a specific goal for the session. This step is essential to ensure that you feel comfortable and empowered throughout the hypnosis experience. Before this session, we will have conducted a 20-minute consultation to discuss what hypnotherapy is, how it works, and to touch base on your specific concerns.

2

Hypnotic Induction

I will use a tailored script and techniques such as guided imagery and progressive relaxation to guide the client into a relaxed state, facilitating the entry into a hypnotic state, or Theta brainwave state—a calm and receptive state that allows for deeper exploration of the subconscious mind.

3

Subconscious Exploration

Once the client has entered the initial hypnotic state, I will utilize deepening techniques to guide them into a deeper exploration of their subconscious, allowing access to thoughts, emotions, and memories that may be influencing their current experiences facilitating insight and healing.

4

Therapeutic Suggestions

I will utilize the insights gained from exploring the subconscious mind to craft tailored suggestions to reinforce positive behaviors and thought patterns, promote healing, and establish new, more beneficial patterns in the subconscious mind..

5

Integration

I will guide the client gradually return to full consciousness, allowing them to anchor positive thoughts, habits, and behaviors. This step reinforces the benefits of the session, ensuring that insights and suggestions are assimilated into everyday life for lasting change and personal growth..

6

Closure

We will reflect on the session and discuss the client’s experiences and insights to reinforce the session’s benefits. This step establishes a plan for ongoing progress and promotes the continued integration of therapeutic suggestions and insights into daily life..

1

Intake Questions

2

Hypnotic Induction

3

Subconscious Exploration

4

Therapeutic Suggestions

5

Integration

6

Closure

Mock Sessions in 5 Minutes

These are the mock sessions with my real clients with some edits for brevity.

Personalized Hypnosis Recordings

Personalized Hypnosis Recordings employ guided imagery techniques using audio and visual cues to promote heightened suggestibility (Milling & Montgomery, 2008). These recordings, tailored to address specific concerns such as phobias, stress, pain management, and habit change, can significantly improve mental and physical health outcomes (Hoffman et al., 2012). Research suggests that regular engagement with personalized hypnosis recordings enhances these benefits, contributing to overall well-being through the development of better coping strategies and positive behavioral changes (Hawkins & Barabasz, 2015).

Personalized hypnosis recordings can be especially useful for individuals who prefer a more private, self-directed approach to healing and growth (Jensen et al., 2012). Additionally, they serve as an effective supplement to one-on-one hypnotherapy sessions, providing convenience and access in the comfort of one’s own space (Smith et al., 2016).

List of References

1. Cochrane, E. (2018). The Effectiveness of Hypnosis in Treating Chronic Pain and Anxiety Disorders: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 66(2), 103-124.

2. Hawkins, R., & Barabasz, A. (2015). The effects of hypnosis on physiological and psychological health: A meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 35, 96-103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2015.01.005

3. Hoffman, H. G., Richards, T. L., & Van Oostrom, T. (2012). Plasticity of pain perception: Hypnosis and virtual reality for pain control. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, 18(3), 267-275. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0030215

4. International Society of Hypnosis. (n.d.). What is hypnosis? Retrieved from https://ish-hypnosis.org/what-is-hypnosis/

5. Jensen, M. P., Adachi, T., & Norrbrink, C. (2011). Hypnosis for Pain Control in Patients with Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. The Journal of Pain, 12(2), 142-157.

6. Kandel, E. R., Schwartz, J. H., & Jessell, T. M. (2013). Principles of neural science (5th ed.). McGraw-Hill.

7. Lynn, S. J., & Kirsch, I. (2006). Hypnosis and suggestion in the treatment of pain. In Pain management: A handbook for clinicians (pp. 67-89).

8. Milling, L. S., & Montgomery, G. H. (2008). Hypnosis as a Treatment for Pain: A Meta-Analytic Review of the Literature. Psychological Bulletin, 134(4), 581-605.

9. National Institute of Mental Health. (2020). Treatments for Anxiety Disorders. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml

10. Olness, K., & Gutheil, T. G. (2001). Hypnosis and hypnotherapy: Clinical, research, and forensic applications.

11. Rosenthal, R. (2005). Clinical hypnosis: A practical guide. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.