What Is Hypnotherapy?

What is the difference between hypnotherapy and hypnosis?

Hypnosis describes a reduced state of consciousness akin to a deep state of relaxation. Hypnotherapy refers to using hypnosis as therapeutic method to effect desired positive changes.

How does hypnotherapy work?

The hypnotic state, which is similar to trance, has existed and been practices within our species since the beginning of time.

In the therapeutic setting, hypnosis can be induced by guided relaxation and intense focus. This will block external distractions and promote brain activity conducive to accessing the unconscious mind. The unconscious mind is the psychic space we are not consciously aware of.

In hypnotherapy, a professionally trained therapist can focus the person’s attention on specific thoughts or tasks. The objective of the therapy is to make deep and lasting changes to thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.

An important technique used in hypnotherapy in the hypnotic suggestion. “Implanted” positive suggestions can lead to full disappearance of symptoms, or at least significantly reduce them. Hypnotic suggestions also can improve a patient’s self-esteem and overall well-being.

Combining hypnotherapy with psychotherapy

Hypnotherapy allows us to explore the deeper layer of the psyche. Hypnotherapy can be used in parallel with psychotherapy, ideally conducted by a therapist professionally trained in psychology and hypnotherapy.

Hypnosis aids psychotherapy by allowing exploration of thoughts and memories that are not accessible while we are in our wide-awake conscious state. Such hidden content can relate to earliest childhood stages below the 3rd or 4th year of life.

There are also traumatizing, painful or shameful events that our minds remove from the conscious space with the psychological defense mechanism called suppression. Uncovering such memories, through hypnotherapy and working with them psychotherapeutically, enhances the effectiveness of the therapy.

Use of hypnotherapy and hypnosis

As mentioned above, hypnotherapy is a useful supportive tool in combination with psychotherapy.

Hypnosis using suggestions is effective in dealing with addictive behaviours, especially smoking. After 3 sessions of hypnosis for smoking cessation, around 50 % of patients stop smoking for at least one year, and more than half of them also in the long term. The efficacy of hypnosis for smoking cessation can be significantly increased by the temporary use of medication, such as Varenicline or Bupropion.

Experiments from the past showed the effectiveness of hypnotic anaesthesia even in major surgery. However, today hypnosis is only used for dental treatment anaesthesia.

Other areas the hypnotherapy could be used:

General self-improvement, motivation, and confidence-building.
Overcoming performance anxiety, such as public speaking or stage fright.
Breaking habits, such nail-biting, and managing weight.
Behavioural addictions.
Effective pain management.
Resolving phobias, like fear of flying, heights, or spiders.

Is hypnosis and hypnotherapy safe?

When conducted by a trained professional, hypnosis is a safe procedure. Hypnosis doesn’t allow the therapist to control the mind of the patient or induce the patient to do something against his moral code.

When not to use hypnosis

Hypnosis and hypnotherapy shouldn’t be used by psychotic, manic or intoxicated patients.

Limitations of hypnosis

People frequently think of hypnosis as a “magic” or a “quick fix” method. However, long-term psychotherapy is a much more effective treatment method. For this reason, Sigmund Freud abandoned hypnosis in favour of psychoanalysis, which was the first method of psychotherapy. Psychotherapy “operates” in the conscious space giving the patient insights, which allow him to understand and to control his thoughts and behaviour.

Qualifications of the hypnotherapist

The terms “hypnosis”, “hypnotherapy” or “hypnotherapist” are unlicensed and not legally protected. It means that random people can provide hypnosis without any formal medical or psychological education.

There are a variety of dubious training centers offering short-term courses in hypnosis for people without a psychological or medical background. It’s obvious that such people after one week of training do not have the qualifications of a psychologist who studies psychology for 5 years and has done additional training in hypnotherapy.

In general, the hypnotherapist should be a psychologist or medical doctor with additional training in hypnotherapy.

The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis provides training in hypnotherapy only to healthcare professionals:

“ASCH Certification in Clinical Hypnosis is distinct from other “certification” programs in that it ensures that the certified individual is a health care professional who is licensed in his or her state or province to provide medical, dental, or psychotherapeutic services.

ASCH believes that persons trained only in hypnosis lack the diagnostic and therapeutic skills as well as the licensure required to safely and responsibly treat medical, psychological, or dental problems with hypnosis. The ASCH Certification distinguishes the professional practitioner from the lay hypnotist.”