Hypnotherapy?
I'm currently reading a book, and the author seems to be a Hypnotherapist. Only in the first couple of chapters, but it has mentioned several times that our unconscious minds prevent us from "living". That how our brain functions and its causes is usually originated from trauma we had when we were little.
The book doesn't really go into detail as to how hypnotherapy works, but it does make me want to do more research on it. Does anyone here know much about it or have tried it yourselves? Does it really work? Do you have to believe in hypnosis for this type of therapy to work?
I remember watching TV dramas, where the character goes through a hypnosis and try a retrieve a lost memory.. while when one person doesn't believe in hypnosis, their session fails and they can't get into that trance.
@Jaeteuk
Hi J,
I have tried Hypno-therapy for a habit I wanted to break. However, it did not work for me. I have tried in a group and in paid private sessions. None of which worked for me. I don't know it may be that I have read that some people can not be hypnotized. This was just my experience, You can keep researching and let me know how it goes😊
I'm almost finished reading the book, then I'll look into more myself. I'll probably never try it though, as I don't have medical insurance, I'm thinking it could be quite expensive. Unless the practitioner can register me as a Victim of Crime, like a previous Psychologist did for me and I received 10 1-hr free sessions.
The book did mention how may not work for some people, and it helps if the person is open to trying it. But it seems like a interesting approach to dealing with fears and all.
Hi Jaeteuk,
Hypnosis or visualisation is tapping into a natural function.
Hypnosis is basically focusing attention.
Have you ever been in a situation, like in the cinema, and you are completely focused on the film and you don’t notice anything else going on around you? That is the same state that a hypnotist will access. Or in a gym class, during a cool down, the instructor may tell you to shut your eyes, focus on your breathing and imagine being in a forest….?
I have used it for detraumatising patients ( EMDR technique). It depends on the individual how they respond. Most people go with it but very few just can’t.
In the relaxed state the therapist can do specific things and may have suggestions for your unconscious which may be given to you by simply telling you a story. It’s up to your unconscious how and when the suggestions/improvements may start to work. You are completely awake and aware of what’s going on but you are in a very relaxed state that 20 minutes can seem like 5 minutes.
Yes it has been effective for anger management, PTSD , addictions amongst other things.
If you find a therapist/hypnotist they should be a person that you have rapport with from the first few minutes. It’s good when they offer you a free 10 minute consultation. You need that connection, you need to like the person as it won’t work if you don’t.
Retrieving a lost memory is a tricky one as it has led in the past to false memories.
It depends why you want to do hypnosis but it is possible to do it yourself. For example, if you are very nervous about a driving test and want to be less nervous than what I’’ll do is put the image of what you want to achieve into your unconscious. So I’ll get you nice and deeply relaxed with a journey and then I’ll put that positive image of you at the test driving and feeling comfortable and we’ll go through lots of imagery. A good time to try this is when you are half awake in the morning, just put the picture of something that you want and watch it like a film.
Our brains seek to follow through with any of the patterns that we put in them.
I hope that helps, good luck!