Studies confirm that tele-hypnosis, or hypnotherapy with an online therapist, may help reduce anxiety symptoms. In one study, internet hypnotherapy demonstrated many advantages over in-person treatment. If you're interested in exploring whether hypnotherapy may help you manage life's challenges and how you navigate your conscious mind, connecting with a licensed counselor can be a first step.
Benefits and risks of using hypnosis in therapy
Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic tool used as a part of a more extensive therapeutic intervention to explore deep-seated thoughts, relationship challenges, fears, patterns, and repressed emotions. While some people may tout hypnosis as a fast track to losing weight or smoking cessation, the goal of hypnotherapy is often to reduce mental health challenges or physical symptoms.
Methods used by a hypnotherapist in clinical hypnotherapy
- Guided relaxation with hypnotic techniques
- Hypnotic therapies for focused attention
- Concentration through hypnotic therapies
Does hypnosis work?
- Depression and hypnotherapy
- Anxiety and hypnotherapy
- Phobias and hypnotherapy
- Pain and hypnotherapy
- Panic attacks and hypnotherapy
- Chemotherapy and radiation treatment side effects in cancer patients and hypnotherapy
- Gastrointestinal disorders and hypnotherapy
- Post-surgery recovery and hypnotherapy
- Nausea and hypnotherapy
- Skin conditions and hypnotherapy
- Performance anxiety and hypnotherapy
- Hot flashes and hypnotherapy
- Childbirth and hypnotherapy
- Dental procedures and hypnotherapy
- Sleep problems and hypnotherapy
Irritable bowel syndrome
Psychological factors, such as stress, have been linked with inducing IBS symptoms. Research indicates positive outcomes in addressing symptoms after undergoing hypnotherapy with a trained therapist. Hypnotherapy has also been found helpful in pain control.
Methods used with hypnosis in therapy
If you're considering hypnotherapy, it may be helpful to understand how hypnosis works. A qualified hypnotherapist may use several different hypnotherapy strategies to aid you in unveiling your emotions and alleviating your mental health symptoms.
Below are hypnotherapy strategies a hypnotherapist may use:
- Relaxation through hypnotherapy
- Revisiting times in your life through hypnotherapy
- Hypnotherapy suggestions
- Hypnotherapy clinical techniques led by a hypnotherapist
- Clinical and experimental hypnotherapy practices
Relaxation
Often, hypnotherapy begins with techniques to help calm your nervous system and ground yourself. The goal of hypnotherapy is to achieve a relaxed but focused state of mind where you may be more open to therapeutic suggestions. The hypnotherapist does not want you to lose control but to focus on something like an object or your breathing, according to the National Institutes for Health.
Revisiting times in your life through hypnosis
Once you are relaxed, hypnotherapy may involve your hypnotherapist guiding you through your life history to explore past experiences pertinent to your current challenges. They may ask you to recall details of the setting, the people present, and the sensations you experienced during these stressful events. You may notice yourself being unusually responsive as you feel free to discuss intimate details of your past.
Therapy suggestions
Once you have become immersed in your experience, during hypnotherapy, your hypnotherapist may suggest altering your thoughts, behaviors, psychological responses, or perceptions relating to this experience. You might also be guided through meditation practice through suggestions during clinical hypnotherapy sessions.
Hypnotherapy clinic techniques
The validity of hypnotherapy techniques within clinical practice has been recognized by the American Psychological Association (APA) since 1958. The APA's Division 30 is also dedicated to the advancement of the use of hypnotherapy work within psychotherapy.
During a hypnotherapy session, clients remain aware of their surroundings and their identity, and they can also recall what has transpired after the session is over. Hypnotic suggestion, a key component of hypnotherapy, may prompt deep relaxation, or a trance-like state, facilitating the client's receptivity to the therapist's suggestions. However, hypnotherapy doesn't impose experiences on the client. Suggestions typically promote a relaxed state, calmness, and well-being, or increased focus and alertness. The creation of mental images may also facilitate a hypnotherapy session.
In rare cases, a client may not remember what has transpired while experiencing hypnosis, called posthypnotic amnesia, when they have been led to expect it to happen.
Clinical hypnotherapy work is conducted by a licensed healthcare provider, such as a psychotherapist, trained in the use of hypnosis.
Clinical and experimental hypnosis practices
A person may also learn self-hypnosis techniques outside of a session, which can complement hypnotherapy practices. One can practice self-hypnosis to promote behavioral changes, for example, such as quitting smoking and altering negative thought patterns.
According to an article published in the National Library of Medicine, "clinical hypnosis, a key component of hypnotherapy, specifically uses self-directed therapeutic suggestions to cultivate the imagination and facilitate the mind-body connection, leading to positive emotional and physical well-being."
Choosing a therapist
Hypnotherapist qualifications
A licensed hypnotherapist may be certified by The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH) or the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis (SCEH), or the The American Association of Hypnotherapists (AAH). Founded in 1998, AAH is a worldwide organization that certifies qualified professional providers of hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy is also promoted by AAH as a valuable approach to research and the application of hypnosis treatment in holistic health care.
To be certified by the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis or the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, a clinical hypnotherapist must complete extensive training and hold a doctorate in medicine, dentistry, psychology, or a master's degree in nursing, social work, psychology, counseling or marital and family therapy. You may request a therapist's credentials if they are not readily available on their website or at their office.
Each individual may have different personal attributes they desire in a therapist, so making a list of attributes important to you before meeting with a therapist for your first hypnosis session may be helpful.
Trust can be a cornerstone of an effective therapist-client relationship. If you don't trust your therapist, you may not feel comfortable entering a relaxed or heightened state or fearing unintended
Options and other treatments
If you are worried that there is insufficient evidence supporting its benefits or that there may be harmful reactions, professional hypnotherapists can walk you through the research behind the practice. Hypnotherapy is one evidence-based therapeutic practice that may support clients through life's challenges. Sessions are designed to address specific concerns, offering a tailored approach to individual needs.