Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic technique that uses guided relaxation, intense concentration, and focused attention to achieve a heightened state of awareness, often called a trance. In this naturally occurring state, you can turn your attention inward to utilize your mind’s resources to make positive changes.
What to Expect
Contrary to "stage hypnosis" seen in movies, you are always in control.
The Sensation: Most people describe it as a state of deep physical relaxation and mental alertness, similar to being completely absorbed in a book or daydreaming while driving.
The Process: A certified therapist uses verbal cues and imagery to help you reach a state of calm. Once relaxed, they provide "suggestions" tailored to your specific goals.
Awareness: You are not asleep. You can hear everything, you cannot be forced to do anything against your will, and you can "emerge" from the state at any time. I often ask you to describe your own feelings and perceptions while under hypnosis, if you’d like.
Potential Risks & Benefits
Hypnotherapy is often used as a complementary tool alongside traditional medical or psychological treatments.Common applications include:
Behavioral Change: Support for smoking cessation, weight management, and breaking phobias.
Pain Management: Reducing chronic pain or discomfort associated with medical procedures, childbirth, or fibromyalgia.
Mental Wellness: Managing symptoms of anxiety, stress, PTSD, and sleep disorders.
Focus & Performance: Enhancing concentration and confidence for public speaking or athletics.
Potential Risks & Considerations
While generally safe when conducted by a trained professional, there are minor risks to be aware of:
Temporary Side Effects: Some patients may experience a mild headache, drowsiness, or dizziness immediately following a session, much like any relaxation technique.
False Memories: There is a risk of "confabulation" (the creation of false memories) if hypnosis is used specifically for memory retrieval, which is why most therapists focus on current behavior rather than "digging" into the past. I do not recover memories.
Emotional Sensitivity: Intense emotions may surface during a session as you focus on personal challenges.
Contraindications: Hypnotherapy may not be suitable for individuals experiencing severe mental health conditions, such as psychosis or certain types of personality disorders.
FAQ
Will I remember the session?
Yes, most people remember everything that was said. Occasionally, a therapist may suggest a "post-hypnotic amnesia," but even then, the memory usually returns shortly after.
Can I be "stuck" in hypnosis?
No. It is a natural state of mind. If the therapist stopped speaking, you would either eventually fall into a natural sleep or simply open your eyes when you realized the guidance had ended.
Will I talk during hypnosis?
One form of hypnotherapy I practice involves relaxing deeply and focusing, then describing your feelings (typically only positive feelings) to me so that I can then reinforce them for you. It can be like doing psychotherapy in a very relaxed state so that you can access your own, deeper insights.
Can you make me quack like a duck?
Absolutely not. Hypnotherapy “suggestions” are only effective when they’re consistent with what you want to do or feel. If you want to feel more confident, we’d focus on past situations when you felt more confident and increase those feelings. If hypnotherapy allowed people to control other people, we’d live in a very interesting world.
Does insurance cover hypnotherapy?
Insurance companies generally see hypnotherapy as just another therapeutic technique. I bill it this way, as a regular psychotherapy session, especially as I use hypnotherapy as an additional tool, not a primary technique. For instance, if we’re working on letting go of a particular worry using ACT (my primary psychotherapy approach), we could also use part of the session for hypnotherapy to help you feel more safe so you can let go of the worry.