What is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is a form of psychotherapy used to create change in a patient while in a state of sleep, or unconsciousness, known as hypnosis. The word hypnosis comes from the Greek word “hypnos” which simply means, “sleep.” The therapy itself uses guided relaxation techniques from a trained hypnotist that invoke feelings of intense relaxation, concentration, and/or focus to achieve a heightened state of awareness or trance-like state.

The therapy is commonly used as an aid to psychotherapy due to the relaxed nature brought on by the hypnotic state that allows people to explore painful and suppressed feelings and emotions or memories that are often hidden from their conscious minds.

It is important to note that Hypnosis is a “Do With” process. Often, peoples understanding of hypnosis is what they see at a hypnosis show. There are 3 main state of Hypnosis.

About 20% of people will only experience a light trance sensation. In this state, you may be able to remember all the suggestions made, all the conversations and all of the post hypnotic work. It is normal to experience this state and it is no less effective.

About 60% of people will experience this state of trance. In this state, generally there are some parts of the session that you will remember, and you will come out of trance feeling very relaxed.

20% of people fit into this category and in this state of trance are extremely susceptible to a very deep trance. They will experience partial or full amnesia and be very susceptible to suggestions.

When a hypnotist on stage is seeking participants for hypnosis, they are always on the look out for people who are Somnambulistic as they will easily slip into trance and follow the instructions of the hypnotist. This can give people a false sense of what hypnosis is and that you will “feel different”. For some people, they feel completely in control however the relaxation missed with the intense concentration will produce the same result.

It is also critical to know that Hypnosis is a DO WITH process, not a DO TOO process. the Hypnotist will not do hypnosis too you, they do hypnosis with you. If you follow the instructions of the hypnotist, you will get the results you want.

Being under hypnosis allows a person to be more open to both suggestion and discussion when the patient trusts the hypnotherapist. Hypnosis is a great way to make progress with the part of the mind that drives our behaviours, the unconscious mind