The Basics of Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is a deeply transformative and intentional experience. You are guided into a deep meditative state. This meditative state is what’s called a theta (brain wave) state, it’s where you experience the feelings of safety and calm. It is also where you can bypass the critical conscious mind (10% of your experience) and access the subconscious mind (90% of your experience) where logical, analytical, linear thinking, willpower, beliefs, emotions, habits, automatic bodily functions and memories live. The subconscious minds purpose is to keep you safe so when it comes to limiting beliefs, patterns, traumas, perceived blocks etc. your subconscious received a message or picked one up somewhere and engrained it as truth (belief), pattern (coping skill) or mechanism (behavior) to keep you safe. It has been playing out in your life and experience since then regardless of how young you were when you accepted this as the way and/or truth at that time.
The amazing thing about hypnotherapy is you are able to retrieve the information from within your subconscious mind, identifying stuck-ness, issue or discomfort. You are then able to witness without upheaval, process without reliving it, receive insight and wisdom which allows you to repair, heal, transmute and transform so that you begin to experience that which you desire- that which you intend. It can be any topic at all, any intentional at all. Hypnosis is a state of being- deeply relaxed. Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic approach using advanced techniques in which you are guided and have an intentional conversation with the subconscious mind done through a deeply relaxed meditative state. You remain in control the entire time and can come back to an alert state at anytime- just like you can when meditating. The truth is, we go in out of hypnotic states on a regular basis. Highway hypnosis is a great example, this is when you safely get from Point A to Point B without the recollection of consciously having done so. Your conscious mind was focused elsewhere yet you were still able to safely process information from the subconscious mind that knew how to get you where you needed to go. And, if you needed to respond to outer/external events and stimuli you would be able to because you are not asleep.
Although I do not often use or refer to the word “trance” the word can be used in regards to hypnotherapy and hypnosis, it is not anything to fear. It literally is just referencing the different degrees of consciousness. Trance was a word used back in the day (late 18th century- although there is evidence of hypnosis being used medically preceding that time) when the understanding of theta brain wave states, hypnotherapy and hypnosis weren’t greatly understood. In my opinion, It’s a word that has often been depicted in less than desirable ways for those of us who use and implement the healing and beneficial techniques of hypnotherapy/hypnosis.
Hypnotherapy/Hypnosis is NOT anyone doing anything to you. It is not stage hypnosis which is a completely different thing than what is being offered here. But, since I mentioned stage hypnosis, I feel it’s important to include that a stage hypnotist does test the audience and the volunteers suggestibility and desirability to be hypnotized. Moving on, Hypnotherapy/Hypnosis is not being “put under’ a trance or the client being put to sleep by the therapist. You may experience what some refer to as a trance state which again is being so deeply relaxed, you bypass the conscious critical mind (there are different degrees of trance/consciousness) and you are able to respond and access the subconscious mind. Although you won’t be distracted by outer stimuli or noises, If you needed to respond to an external stimuli- you would be able too. Your subconscious would make sure of it as its job is to keep you safe! The only reason you continue to experience less than desirable ways of being is because there are parts of you that may need an “update”. There are incidents when the client becomes so relaxed, they may be close to a sleep sate, but they are still conscious. Hypnosis is not the therapist putting you to sleep to work on you. You cannot get “stuck” in hypnosis, you can come out at any point. A well trained hypnotherapist will make sure you feel completely embodied and present while maintaining a sense of relaxation upon completing the session. Although the effects of hypnotherapy/hypnosis are so deeply transformational and many experience deep healings after just one session, it is not an instant one time cure all. You go deeper each time, each session. ALL hypnosis is SELF hypnosis. You will experience the degree of transformation that you desire.
Studies and Effectiveness: A study by Stanford showed that after 600 sessions of traditional psychotherapy there was a 38% improvement compared to 6 sessions of hypnotherapy have a 93% improvement. 600 sessions of traditional therapy = 38% improvement VS 6 Sessions of Hypnotherapy = 93% improvement That’s a big difference in transformation, time, energy and money invested. It is recommended clients do a minimum of 6 sessions per topic as 6-12 are recommended for full transformation. The amount of sessions per individual may vary depending on intention/individual needs. Each clients success can vary. Most clients achieve noticeable and deep transformation after just one session. All sessions are healing and effective. The work you do between sessions with self hypnosis further integrates the work done together expediting your results.
I hope you find you this information helpful.
Until Next Time.
May you be happy, blessed and loved!!
-AM