Curious about hypnotherapy? It's like stepping into a world where your mind takes the driver's seat, steering you towards positive change. Before you dive in, let's unpack a few things together. Hypnotherapy isn't just about swinging a pocket watch or making you bark like a dog; it's a fascinating blend of science and psychology that could help with everything from kicking bad habits to easing anxiety.
In this article, I’m breaking down 10 things you should know before trying Hypnotherapy so that you can have a clearer picture of what it's is all about. Whether you're skeptical or intrigued, understanding these points will ensure you're fully prepared to explore this transformative therapy and know what to expect from your hypnotherapy experience.
Ten Things to know before trying Hypnotherapy
1. Stage Hypnosis is for entertainment, Hypnotherapy is not.
If you’ve watched a stage hypnosis act or even watched a movie with a hypnosis scene, you likely have a very obscured idea of what hypnosis is. Trust me when I say, a hypnotherapy session is *nothing* like that!
Stage hypnosis is an act that is strictly for your entertainment. The way they conduct a stage hypnosis act is to get you a deep into trace as quickly as possible, usually with a funny skit and complete amnesia to follow.
A hypnotherapy session is for healing and personal growth. The goal of the session is to address the issue and find a resolution. In my personal practice I don’t use rapid inductions, and I certainly don’t want you to forget the session when your eyes come open.
There is no embarrassing skits for entertainment value – it’s strictly about working through the issue in the most effective way.
2. Hypnotherapy is not New Age or Woo-Woo.
The history of Hypnosis dates back centuries with techniques being used in ancient acts of magic and medicine, but even the scientific study of hypnosis dates back to the late 18th century when the Austrian physician, Franz Mesmer used hypnosis in treatments with his patience.
Hypnosis at the time was known as Mesmerism, named after Mesmer. The term "hypnosis" was coined in the 1840s by Scottish surgeon James Braid who initially viewed it as a state similar to sleep, termed a trance. Later, in the late 19th century, French neurologist Jean Martin Charcot suggested that hypnotism represented a unique physiological condition, while his contemporary Hippolyte-Marie Bernheim proposed it as a psychological state characterized by heightened suggestibility.
Sigmund Freud used hypnosis in the 20th century to aid patients in recalling repressed memories. He observed that patients could relive traumatic experiences during hypnosis, a phenomenon known as abreaction. Today, hypnosis has become more widely used in clinical settings and continues to be studied and advanced as our understanding of the mind deepens.
3. You are in complete control
One of the biggest fears I hear from people about hypnosis is that they will lose control of their mind or body in hypnosis. Let’s clear that up! You are in complete control, even when in hypnosis. The Hypnotherapist will be guiding the session with your goals in mind, but your subconscious will only respond to suggestions that are in your best interest.
You can only make the changes you already want to make, therefore, if something is said that doesn’t resonate or you don’t agree with, it simply won’t have an effect on you. This is part of the reason why it’s important to have clear communication with your Hypnotherapist so that they understand what you want and can guide the session in a way that will be most impactful.
4. There are no negative side effects of Hypnosis – only positive ones!
When compared to other alternatives, hypnosis is a great option because there are no negative side effects, only positive ones! Its common to notice improvements in your overall sense of self, outlook on life, or energy levels, even if those aren’t things you’re specifically working on in your hypnotherapy sessions. I always say, there’s no such thing as too much positive suggestion!
5. Everyone can be hypnotized. Yes, I said everyone.
A common hesitation is a fear that you may not be able to be hypnotized. And, I don’t blame you! If you don’t really understand what hypnosis is, it seems like something you could potentially be ‘bad at’. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Hypnosis is simply a trance state – a natural state that you enter on your own every single day. It’s not a strange phenomenon, it’s a regular occurrence. Things like daydreaming, driving a familiar route, doing monotonous tasks like washing the dishes or exercising, and even getting really deep into a book or movie can cause you to go into a trance state.
All it takes to go into a trance in a hypnosis session is focus and willingness. If you are willing to go into hypnosis, and can focus on the Hypnotherapists voice, you can go into trance. It’s truly that simple.
6. Results will vary from person to person
This goes for every therapy but is worth repeating: results will vary. This is dependent on many factors including the issue you’re working on, whether you’ve worked on it in another capacity before or this is your first time addressing it, how deeply it is intertwined with your identity, whether it is connected to past trauma, your willingness to do the work, your beliefs about resolving this issue, and more.
It’s impossible to guarantee specific results because healing is such a personal journey. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results as quickly as someone else. The important thing is that you go into each session with an open mind and a willingness to do the work.
7. Your willingness to participate fully will greatly affect the results you see
Building off the last point, your willingness to fully participate in your session will greatly affect your results. Some hypnosis sessions will only require that you listen and pay attention to the Hypnotherapists voice. Other sessions will require you to answer questions and describe how you’re feeling to the Hypnotherapists as they ask. The latter is interactive hypnosis and is where I find the most transformation happens.
These sessions are where we get to the root of the issue you’ve brought into the session. These are not passive sessions for clients, they do require that you engage and lean into the experience. Remember, hypnosis is a powerful tool, but it’s not magic. You are your healer, which means you need to show up for yourself in these sessions and be prepared to do the work.
Sometimes you will receive a hypnosis recording or other homework after a session. These are always just suggestions and it’s your choice whether you do it or not, but keep in mind that the hypnosis recordings and other homework can greatly compound your results.
8. Some things take longer to heal than others
Over the years I’ve found that some issues simply take longer to work through than others. It seems that some topics have more layers than others, and therefore, require a few more sessions. In your session we always work on the outer most layer of the issue. For example, if you came in with anxiety, the outer most issue might be fear and anxiety. Once we’ve released the fear and reframed the beliefs, you might find that the anxiousness diminishes in intensity and frequency.
However, you might find that before the anxiety is fully eliminated, we must address another layer of it that may not have been so obvious. With anxiety the next layer is often self-trust or shame. This goes for many other topics such as addictions, fears, and self-image. The first layer is obvious and is the reason you booked your session, but for you to fully release that belief, you need to heal through the less obvious layers too.
9. Hypnosis is just as effective online as it is offline
In my Hypnotherapy practice I’ve worked with clients online and offline, but in 2020 switch to fully online sessions. Here’s what I noticed: the clients I was seeing in my office went more easily into hypnosis when they were in their own space attending the session online. Why? Because they were in a familiar space that felt safe.
If you feel safe, it will be easier to focus on the session and do the work. It’s absolutely not required to be in the physical space with your Hypnotherapist, which is a huge perk. That means you can do your research and find a Hypnotherapist that you resonate with and connect with, regardless of where they are in the world. I work with people from across North America, Europe and Australia, all while living in a small rural town in western Canada.
10. No therapy is perfect for everyone, that includes Hypnotherapy
I regularly work with clients who have tried other forms of therapy who claim they don’t work at all. I also work with clients who are still regularly doing other forms of therapy and swear by it. The truth is, not every form of therapy will be best for every person. We are all very different, and isn’t it wonderful that we have so many options out there for healing and growth. My advice is to pay attention to what interests you are start there.
Next Steps
Embarking on the path of hypnosis can be both intriguing and transformative, but it's essential to approach it with a clear understanding. By familiarizing yourself with the 10 things to know before trying hypnotherapy outlined in this article, you're better equipped to navigate the realm of hypnosis confidently.
Remember, hypnosis isn't about losing control or being unaware—it's a collaborative process that taps into your innate abilities to promote positive change and healing. Whether you're seeking relief from stress, overcoming a habit, or exploring deeper aspects of your psyche, hypnosis offers a unique opportunity for growth and self-discovery.
If you’d like to speak directly with a Clinical Hypnotherapist about starting your journey now, feel free to book a Free 30-min Consultation with me and let me to answer all your questions, or keep reading with this article that dives into all the nitty gritty on why hypnosis works. Hypnosis can open doors to a new realm of possibilities on your journey towards personal empowerment and well-being.
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