As a clinical hypnotherapist, I am often asked: What is hypnotherapy? So, I thought I would explain in this article the wonders of hypnotherapy: What is it? How does it work? What does it feel like to be hypnotised? Have you ever self-hypnotised without even realising it?
I’m sure at some point in our lives, we’ve all wanted to make changes - whether it’s cutting down on unhealthy eating (not reaching for the chocolate bar or cake), staying calm during a presentation instead of blushing and stuttering, or managing emotions in a healthy and balanced way, especially when faced with fears like spiders or heights. Yet, for some reason, your mind tells you something else. This is often where struggles arise because our behaviours and responses are governed not by conscious choices but by something deeper: the subconscious mind.
This is where clinical hypnotherapy comes in - a gentle, effective way to allow the conscious and subconscious minds to work harmoniously, guiding purposeful change.
What is the conscious and subconscious mind?
Understanding how the mind works is helpful in understanding hypnotherapy. Imagine the mind has two parts: the conscious mind and the subconscious mind.
The conscious mind is the part that thinks logically, analyses situations, and makes decisions. A simple analogy is to think of it as a voice in your head that weighs up pros and cons, rationalises problems, or plans your day. Did you know that the conscious mind accounts for only about 5–10% of your mental activity?
The subconscious mind, by contrast, is the 'control centre' of your behaviour. It stores your memories, emotions, habits, and deeply held beliefs. Imagine an iceberg: the visible tip above the water represents your conscious mind, while the vast mass below the surface is your subconscious mind. This part works automatically, often without your awareness, shaping your reactions and decisions.
Sometimes, the conscious and subconscious minds work together harmoniously. For example, when you clean your teeth, your subconscious ensures you move the toothbrush without consciously thinking about it. But sometimes, these two parts don’t agree. This is why you might consciously want to stop eating chocolate, but your subconscious clings to the habit as a source of comfort or routine, resisting change.
What is hypnotherapy?
Did you know hypnotherapy dates back to Ancient Egypt? The Egyptians used ‘sleep temples’ - places of rest and healing where priests performed rituals involving chanting, prayers, and trance-like states to help overcome ailments. Ancient Greeks used similar methods in their ‘temple sleep,’ where priests or healers offered suggestions to the gods for curing illness.
Today, clinical hypnotherapy is a powerful tool for managing a wide range of issues, from anxiety treatment and stress relief therapy to overcoming phobias, habits, insomnia, weight loss, and confidence-building therapy.
Hypnotherapy sessions use a natural state of focused attention and relaxation to access the subconscious mind. In this state, your mind becomes more receptive to positive suggestions, enabling you to reframe limiting beliefs, unlearn unhelpful habits, and adopt healthier ways of thinking and behaving.
It’s baffling that even today, some people believe myths about hypnosis - thinking it involves losing control or being 'put under' to behave against your will. But hypnosis is a collaborative process. You remain perfectly aware and in control, simply entering a state of deep relaxation and heightened focus. I liken it to being engrossed in a good book or daydreaming.
Can you self-hypnotise?
You may be surprised to learn that you’ve probably experienced hypnotic states in everyday life. For example:
Have you ever driven a familiar route and realised you don’t remember parts of the journey? In these moments, your subconscious takes control while your conscious mind wanders.
Have you become so engrossed in a film that you felt the characters’ emotions?
These natural experiences highlight that hypnosis isn’t strange or mystical; it’s a state your mind already knows how to enter.
Understanding hypnotherapy
I often explain hypnotherapy to clients, friends, and family using analogies. Imagine your mind is like a computer. Over time, it accumulates programmes - some helpful (like the ability to walk down the street) and others outdated or unhelpful (like “I need to smoke to relax”). Hypnotherapy works like a software update, rewriting unhelpful programmes to meet your goals.
Alternatively, think of the subconscious as a garden containing seeds planted by past experiences. Some seeds grow into flourishing flowers, representing positive habits, while others grow into persistent weeds, symbolising negative patterns. Hypnotherapy gently removes the weeds and plants new seeds of positivity, allowing healthier thoughts and behaviours to take root.
What can hypnotherapy help with?
Hypnotherapy is versatile and can address a wide range of issues, including:
Breaking habits: From unhealthy eating patterns and nail-biting to stopping smoking hypnosis and sugar addiction, hypnotherapy can help reprogram subconscious patterns into new, positive suggestions agreed upon beforehand.
Overcoming phobias: If a fear of flying, spiders, or public speaking holds you back, hypnotherapy can help you feel calmer and more in control.
Stress relief therapy: By accessing the subconscious, hypnotherapy can instil calm and resilience, helping you handle challenges more effectively.
Confidence-building therapy: Whether in work, relationships, or personal goals, hypnotherapy can empower you to believe in yourself and your abilities.
Weight loss hypnosis: Hypnotherapy can support sustainable, healthy weight management by addressing the subconscious triggers behind overeating and suggesting new and more positive suggestions for a healthy lifestyle.
Natural therapy for better sleep: Hypnotherapy can help you unwind and manage insomnia, promoting deeper, more restorative sleep.
What does a hypnotherapy session look like?
To begin, we spend time discussing your goals, desires, and concerns. You then relax in a comfortable chair. My clients are often given an eye mask and surrounded by the scents of candles and fresh flowers. Relaxing music plays in the background, creating a spa-like atmosphere.
Once you’re comfortable, I guide you into a deeply relaxed state using soothing words and imagery. In this state, we work together to address your concerns using techniques like suggestion, visualisation, or regression.
After the session, most people feel calm, refreshed, and optimistic. Changes may occur gradually or suddenly, depending on the individual and the issue being addressed.
Choosing hypnotherapy
Sadly, clinical hypnotherapy is often considered a last resort after medication or consultations have failed. This surprises me, as hypnotherapy is safe, gentle, and doesn’t rely on willpower alone. Instead, it works with the subconscious to create sustainable change.
Hypnotherapy is also empowering. By uncovering the root of an issue and aligning your conscious and subconscious minds, you gain tools to live more freely and authentically.
If you have an unwanted habit, emotion, or behaviour, hypnotherapy offers a way to break free. It isn’t magic - it’s a powerful tool for unlocking the potential of your mind. Through guided relaxation and focused attention, obstacles can be overcome, old patterns rewritten, and a healthier, happier version of yourself can emerge.
Why not give it a try? Whether you’re searching for hypnotherapy near me, seeking mind-body connection therapy, or simply exploring a natural therapy for better sleep, your mind is your most powerful asset, and hypnotherapy can help you harness it for lasting positive change.
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