Find Hypnotherapy Providers near you

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FAQs:

What is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is an adjunctive technique that utilizes hypnosis to aid in the treatment of specific symptoms or health conditions. Hypnotherapy works by inducing a hypnotic state marked by waking awareness that allows people to experience detached external attention and to focus on inner experiences. It is sometimes used as part of a treatment plan for phobias and other anxiety disorders. It is also sometimes used for pain management, weight loss, smoking cessation, and a variety of other applications. Formal explorations in the therapeutic uses for hypnosis began in the late 1700s but did not gain scientific credibility until much more recently. Modern researchers have further explored how hypnosis can be used, which conditions it can treat, and how effective it may be compared to other treatments.

How Does Hypnotherapy Work?

Hypnotherapy is performed by an authorized or registered healthcare professional that has gone through special training in this technique. This expert is a hypnotherapist. Hypnotherapy utilizes hypnosis to assist patients with investigating troublesome ideas, sentiments, and encounters that are hidden from their conscious state. Hypnosis additionally helps individuals to have another viewpoint on things, like reducing pain awareness or addictions.

Hypnotherapy utilizes methods, for example,

1. Induction or relaxation: The hypnotherapist will utilize a few mesmerizing techniques to help you see yourself in a serene and relaxed state in any event, even when confronted with the source of your anxiety. At this point, you might enter a trance-like state almost like you are drifting asleep.

2. Suggestion: Your hypnotherapist might give delicate suggestions for changes in behavioural patterns that will help you to overcome your issues. The ideas will be at your disposal, you may choose to accept them or decline them.

3. Adapting abilities: You might be shown mental conduct survival techniques, such as directed photography as well as the “STOP” method, to use when facing stresses or concerns.

4. Previous encounters: You might be urged to talk about whenever you first experienced the symptom you are attempting to beat, and how you felt at that point. This is frequently used to examine and analyse the patient. The therapist uses the data from your recollection to figure out the condition and possible treatments that may not include further hypnotherapy.

Does Hypnotherapy Work?

Despite its use since the 1700s, hypnotherapy continues to have skeptics in the medical community. However, it’s becoming a more accepted and recognized form of therapy. The number of certified and licensed medical professionals incorporating hypnotherapy in their practice is increasing. Scientific evidence supporting the benefits of hypnotherapy has been limited, but is growing. Some studies show “promising” results or “may be helpful in” conclusions. The strongest evidence supporting the use of hypnotic treatments comes from research on hypnosis for treating pain, IBS and PTSD symptoms. Most medical associations and organizations state that more studies are needed to draw meaningful conclusions about the effectiveness of hypnotherapy.

Can Hypnotherapy be Dangerous?

In the real world, the practice of hypnotherapy is not as scary, simple, or powerful as its pop culture depictions. Hypnosis by a trained therapist is a safe alternative or supplement to medication. It is not a form of mind control—which is impossible to achieve. Clients remain completely awake throughout hypnotherapy sessions and should be able to fully recall their experiences. They also fully retain free will. If a therapist’s “post-hypnotic suggestion” is effective, it’s because they are suggesting something the client wants to achieve and, in their relaxed state, that individual is better able to envision and commit to a suggested positive path to change. Negative side effects are rare but can include headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, and feelings of anxiety or distress. In rare cases, hypnotherapy could lead to the unconscious construction of “false memories,” also known as confabulations.

Is Hypnotherapy the Same Thing as Hypnosis?

The terms hypnotherapy and hypnosis are often used interchangeably, but they’re not quite the same thing. Hypnotherapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses hypnosis to treat a health concern. But hypnosis in itself is not a therapy — it’s an everyday waking state we often fall into without even trying. For example: We experience highway hypnosis; that’s a normal waking state where you’re driving down the highway, and all of a sudden you get to your destination, and you can’t remember how you got there. While hypnosis itself isn’t therapy, it can be used as a mechanism to deliver therapy.

What is the Success Rate of Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy benefits vary. Success from hypnotherapy can be limited by the willingness of patient participation. It has shown more success in treating the pain associated with irritable bowel syndrome, childbirth, or medical procedures. It has also been shown to improve severe nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy.

How Long will Hypnotherapy Sessions Last?

Again this is really dependent on both your hypnotherapist and your circumstances. One-off services such as smoking cessation or gastric band hypnotherapy can last around two hours, while a general hypnotherapy session will usually take 50 to 60 minutes.

Does Hypnotherapy Work for Weight Loss?

Hypnosis may be more effective than diet and exercise alone for people looking to lose weight. The idea is that the mind can be influenced to change habits like overeating. However, exactly how effective it may be is still up for debate. One earlier controlled trial examined the use of hypnotherapy for weight loss in people with obstructive sleep apnea. The study looked at two specific forms of hypnotherapy versus simple diet advice for weight loss and sleep apnea. All 60 participants lost 2 to 3 percent of their body weight in 3 months.

At the 18-month follow-up, the hypnotherapy group had lost another 8 pounds on average. The researchers concluded that while this additional loss wasn’t significant, hypnotherapy warranted more research as a treatment for obesity.

An analysis that included hypnotherapy, specifically cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), for weight loss showed that it resulted in a small reduction in body weight compared with the placebo group. Researchers concluded that while hypnotherapy may enhance weight loss, there isn’t enough research for it to be convincing.

It’s important to note that there isn’t much research in support of hypnosis alone for weight loss. Much of what you’ll find is about hypnotherapy in combination with diet and exercise or counseling.

Does Hypnotherapy Really Work for Anxiety?

Hypnotherapy for anxiety can help boost feelings of confidence and self-belief while reducing feelings of fear and intense worry. It can help you develop the ability to access the relaxed state of mind needed to overcome the often-overwhelming emotions that come with anxiety.

Using the power of suggestion, hypnosis aims to access your subconscious mind and promote positive change. The suggestions themselves can be tailored to help you learn what triggers your anxiety and why, as well as change the way you react towards them.

Clinical hypnotherapy (using hypnosis to treat or alleviate physical and/or psychological symptoms) can be used to help create deeper levels of relaxation, reduce stress, and alleviate symptoms of anxiety. Most often used for mild anxiety, hypnotherapy can also be used alongside other treatment methods for more severe cases of anxiety. 

Hypnotherapy can be particularly helpful in discovering the cause of your anxiety. By working with a qualified hypnotherapist, you can get to the root cause of your anxiety: the fear that is leading you to feel unsafe, on edge, or stressed. By identifying this cause, they can help you reframe negative thoughts or beliefs, to reduce symptoms of anxiety. 

While more research is needed on the success of hypnotherapy for anxiety, studies suggest that hypnosis can help with ‘trait anxiety' (where you tend to have anxiety as part of your personality). It can also help with conditions where anxiety can increase your symptoms (eg. hypnotherapy for IBS). 

Hypnoanalysis, also known as analytical hypnotherapy, can be particularly helpful in overcoming generalised anxiety. This type of hypnotherapy works on the idea that there is a cause behind current concerns, and by uncovering the cause, you can work towards resolving it. Taking longer than other types of hypnotherapy, this method is like a combination between talking therapy and hypnotherapy.

How Much Does Hypnotherapy Cost?

The average price range for hypnotherapy sessions can vary depending on various factors. Here is an average price range for hypnotherapy sessions:

Low End

Hypnotherapy sessions cost between $75 and $100 on the lower end. These prices are more common in areas with a lower living cost or for therapists just starting their practice. Hypnotherapy is a specialized treatment plan and so treatments tend to start off on the more expensive side.

Mid-Range

How much does hypnotherapy cost in the mid-range? The mid-range for hypnotherapy sessions falls between $100 and $150. This range covers hypnotherapists with varying experience levels and expertise.

High End

On the higher end, hypnotherapy sessions can cost $150 to $300 or more per session. This higher range is in larger cities, with specialized hypnotherapists. It is also more common for specific treatments that need more expertise. Remember that these figures are approximate and can vary. Hypnotherapists may offer discounted rates for packages, so it’s worth inquiring.

How Hypnotherapy Started

Many of the clucking chicken images are the result of hypnosis’s forefather, Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815). Mesmer believed that there was an invisible force, a magnetic force, that could be harnessed by one person to influence another person’s behavior, the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis explains. While his theory was wrong, the techniques he used were effective. These techniques were picked up on and developed over the years for therapeutic and medical purposes. Sigmund Freud, for instance, used hypnosis techniques. In the mid-1900s, hypnotherapy as we know it evolved. Milton Erickson (1901-1980) pioneered “indirect hypnosis,” during which therapists work with individual patients to shift their perceptions of themselves and their issues.

What Hypnotherapy Can Help With

There are many different reasons why a person might want to try hypnotherapy. Research suggests that some possible applications include:

- Chronic pain conditions

- Dementia symptoms

- Nausea and vomiting related to chemotherapy

- Pain during childbirth, dental procedures, or surgery

- Skin conditions, such as psoriasis and warts

- Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

- Symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Hypnotherapy may also be used by licensed physicians and psychologists in the treatment of conditions like anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Hypnotherapy may also be helpful for changing or reducing problematic behaviors. Because of this, it is sometimes used to help people quit smoking, lose weight, and sleep better.

Techniques that Hypnotherapy Utilizes

During a hypnotherapy session, people are guided through a process to induce a trance-like state that helps them focus their minds, respond more readily to suggestions, and become deeply relaxed. Hypnotherapy utilizes the heightened awareness of the hypnotic state to help you focus on a problem more deeply. Hypnotherapy utilizes techniques including:

1. Relaxation: You will be guided by the hypnotherapist to visualize yourself in a state of peacefulness and relaxation, even when confronting a problematic behavior or the object of your fears.

2. Suggestion: Your hypnotherapist may make gentle suggestions for behavior changes that can help you conquer your issue. For example, you may be taught to see yourself as a supportive advisor during a phobic reaction, thus learning to trust yourself and your ability to get through the situation.

3. Coping skills: You may be taught certain cognitive-behavioral coping skills, such as guided imagery and the STOP! technique, that you can use when confronting fears or anxieties.

4. Exploration of past experiences: You may even be encouraged to talk about the first time you experienced the behavior or problem that you are trying to overcome and how you felt at that moment.

Benefits of Hypnotherapy

Some people may experience dramatic results with hypnotherapy. In other cases, people may simply feel very relaxed. Some of the benefits of hypnotherapy may include:

Awareness: Some people remain fully aware during the entire experience. They recall everything that happens and are even able to have conversations while under hypnosis. Other people may experience states of relaxation that are so deep that they may even feel detached from what is happening. 

Focus: Most of the time, we are distracted by our surroundings. Whether the TV is blaring, your kids are demanding attention or your spouse wants to talk, it can be difficult to fully focus on yourself. Our conscious minds are also cluttered. You may be worried about paying a bill, concerned about an upcoming project, or planning tonight’s dinner. The therapy session is intended to break through these day-to-day concerns and allow you to focus completely on the problem at hand.

Relaxation: In the hypnotic state, you are deeply relaxed. Your conscious mind is quieted, allowing your unconscious mind to deeply focus on your issue. You are also calmer, and therefore more receptive to facing your problems or fears.

Most hypnotherapists utilize a series of calming messages, such as "you are safe" and "no one can harm you" to reassure their clients that during hypnosis they can objectively face their problems without having a panicked reaction.

5 Things Everyone Should Know Before Trying Hypnotherapy

Here are the five most important things you should know before seeing a hypnotherapist:

1. Hypnotherapy sessions are different from what you've seen onstage.

2. Hypnotherapy "miracles" are just a myth.

The good news is that hypnosis is safe, effective, and works very quickly compared to other types of therapy. But, hypnosis is not a magic wand and in most cases, results won’t happen overnight. Remember, it takes 21 days to create a new habit and then a minimum of 3-6 weekly, consecutive sessions to yield the best results.

3. Everyone can be hypnotized.

It’s important to remember hypnosis is a willing state. You cannot be hypnotized against your will, and working with a hypnotherapist is a co-creative process. The most common reason for failure to induce a hypnotic state is a lack of rapport with a hypnotherapist, or working with someone without proper training.

4. Hypnosis is not the same as sleeping.

Hypnosis is a heightened learning state where the body is deeply relaxed and the mind is alert. On occasion, a person may drift into sleep, but this is not the goal of the session. It is the hypnotherapist’s job to make sure the client maintains a relaxed awareness during the session and remains awake. Although the mind may drift, you should still be able to hear everything that is being said to you during the session.

5. Hypnotherapists are not doctors.

Hypnotherapy is not meant to replace medical care; rather, it is a self-improvement tool to enhance the healing process. A hypnotherapist specializes in general self-improvement and behavior modification. They are not licensed by the state as healing arts practitioners, and cannot diagnose or treat medical or psychological conditions.

What Happens in a Hypnotherapy Session

First, you'll usually have a talk with your therapist to discuss what you hope to achieve and agree what methods your therapist will use.

After this, the hypnotherapist may:

- lead you into a deeply relaxed state – most people feel refreshed and relaxed

- use your agreed methods to help you towards your goals – for example, suggesting that you do not want to carry out a certain habit

- gradually bring you out of the trance-like state. Most people feel refreshed and relaxed

You're fully in control when under hypnosis and do not have to take on the therapist's suggestions if you do not want to. If necessary, you can bring yourself out of the hypnotic state. Hypnosis does not work if you do not want to be hypnotised.

Common Misconceptions about Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy is still considered controversial, as many mental health professionals dispute its effectiveness. There are a number of myths and misconceptions about hypnotherapy that can affect how people view this therapeutic tool.

1. Hypnotherapy is often confused with stage hypnosis. Stage hypnotists are performers who are excellent at reading people. They seek extroverts who will put on a great show for the crowd. Whether or not their subjects are truly hypnotized is debatable, but they are willing to go along with the sometimes outrageous suggestions of the stage hypnotist.

2. Hypnotherapy doesn't cause you to forget what happened. You will remember the things that occur during your hypnotic state, you will not be asleep or unconscious, and you will be able to break the hypnotic trance at any time.

3. Hypnotherapy doesn't cause you to lose control. During hypnotherapy, you remain in control. It is not possible for anyone to force you to do anything against your will, even under hypnosis. You will be tuned in to the work at hand, and so may not pay attention to your surroundings, but you will always be in charge of your own actions, behaviors, and statements.

4. Being hypnotizable doesn't mean you are less intelligent. While some people believe that they cannot be hypnotized, research suggests that most people are hypnotizable to a certain degree. Only about 10% of people are difficult or impossible to hypnotize.

What Experts Say about Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy appears to work best when used with other forms of treatment, says Steve G. Kopp, a licensed mental health counselor and marriage and family therapist. It can help reduce a patient’s resistance to other more traditional treatments.

“It seems most effective complementing cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal psychotherapy,” Kopp says.

It’s important to remember that depression, along with severe and chronic mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, also affect a person’s physical health. Depression is more than just feeling sad or having negative thoughts. It’s a condition where the chemicals in your brain are imbalanced. Hypnotherapy is a complementary therapy, and it shouldn’t be the only therapy a person uses to enhance their mental health.

Kopp also warns that hypnotherapist quality varies widely. Anyone considering hypnotherapy should make sure the therapist is not only certified to perform hypnosis, but is also a trained mental health professional.

Risks of Hypnotherapy

Again, hypnosis is safe for most people. Adverse reactions are rare.

Potential risks include:

- headache

- dizziness

- drowsiness

- anxiety

- distress

- false memory creation

People who experience hallucinations or delusions should speak to their doctor before trying hypnotherapy. Also, hypnosis should not be performed on an individual under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

How to Select a Hypnotherapist

First, look for a healthcare professional who’s properly trained, licensed, and credentialed in a healthcare field such as medicine, dentistry, psychiatry, psychology, social work, or nursing. This practitioner should have additional training in hypnosis and hypnotherapy techniques. 

Hypnosis should be used along with their mental health and medical training as an additional treatment tool. Ask the practitioner you intend to see about their training, credentials, and license to practice hypnotherapy. Also, ask if they’re experienced in the condition(s) you’re seeking care for.

To find a hypnotherapist near you, talk to your healthcare provider or call or search the websites of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, or the American Association of Professional Hypnotherapists.

You’ll want to find a therapist you feel comfortable with and trust. Don’t hesitate to try a different therapist if you feel a hypnotherapist isn’t the right fit for you.

Sources:

Very Well Mind

Psychology Today

MBG Mindfulness

Cleveland Clinic

Everyday Health

The Healthy

NHS

STUDY

Australia Counselling

Hypnotherapy Directory

True Life Care

Healthline

 

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.