On Hypnotherapy

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Before a potential client starts the process of being “hypnotized”, they can have a screening done. This is in order to check the potential clients susceptibility to hypnosis, as only two-thirds of adults are actually susceptible to the process. On average and depending on what is being treated, a client only needs three hypnotherapy sessions (ranging from 1-2 hours) in order to achieve their desired goal. At the beginning of the first session the patient discusses what issue they want tackled. Then the hypnotherapist and patient will find what and where makes the patient feel safe and comfortable, as this information is vital to get someone into the tranquil state suitable for hypnosis. Once this is clear, the patient will close their eyes and these safe feelings and images get further invoked to help the patient fall deeper into a calming visualization. If done correctly, the patient's physical surroundings should melt away. The idea is to relax the client, so they are in a state between consciousness and unconsciousness. 

Many have compared this state to being like when one is about to fall asleep, but is still in this awake stage beforehand. The result is called the “hypnotic state”, in which a person's subconsciousness is supposedly freed up, allowing for an open mind to new experiences and ideas. This is what is said to allow for a positive transformation to take place. During this state the hypnotherapist then proposes suggestions on how to overcome the obstacle at hand. These then should replace whatever feelings and/or thoughts that were there before, regarding that particular topic.

It is important to understand that hypnotherapy can’t take something away, it only has the potential to replace something with something else, if at all. It should allow for a different way of thinking and/or doing things. So, for example, for someone who is an alcoholic, they might, after hypnotherapy, choose a glass of water instead of a glass of wine. What is also important to mention, is that one is always in control while in the hypnotic state. One can always turn down a suggestion or end the state at free will. Similar again, to when one is on this stage between falling asleep and being awake, one is still in complete control. If someone started talking or something were to happen, one would still immediately be able to react. Another vital aspect for hypnotherapy to work is that the client must really want to be hypnotized. Back to the example of the alcoholic, if the alcoholic’s partner only wants them to drink less and sends them to hypnotherapy sessions, but the actual alcoholic doesn’t want to change, the treatment is likely to lead to nothing.