Fix Me if You Can!

Hypnotherapy is like a gentle massage for your mind, guiding and shaping your thoughts into a clearer and more positive state. Imagine a tranquil garden with soft music playing in the background and the scent of lavender filling the air. That is the peacefulness that awaits you during a hypnotherapy session. Or there could just be the hypnotic sound of your hypnotherapist’s voice.

Through this deep relaxation and focus, your hypnotherapist can work with your subconscious mind to help you let go of negative patterns and embrace healthier ones. It’s like hitting the reset button on your mental well-being.

So don’t be afraid to give hypnosis a try. Just as our bodies need maintenance and upkeep, so do our minds. And with hypnotherapy, you can tune up your mind for a happier and more fulfilled life. Finding the best hypnotherapy method for you is vital to your success.

Who knew there were so many different types of hypnosis? If you are like me, before I started studying hypnosis and working toward my certification in clinical hypnotherapy, you never would have guessed this. However, it is true, and it is essential to be familiar with the idea that there are different types of hypnotherapy practices to find the method that will work most effectively with your hypnotherapy intentions.

In fact, the practice of hypnosis encompasses many methods and techniques, each with its unique approach and purpose. From deep relaxation to focused concentration, the intentions for entering the state of hypnosis are as diverse as the individuals seeking it. Whether for self-improvement or therapeutic purposes, the journey through hypnosis is a highly personal and subjective experience. However, it’s important to note that hypnotherapy, like any form of therapy, has its limitations and potential risks. It may not be suitable for everyone, and it’s crucial to consult a qualified professional before embarking on this journey if you experience any mental health or medical issues.

Hypnosis is both a technique and a therapy that induces relaxation and heightened focus. Its general intent is to access and work with the subconscious mind. Through gentle guidance, the subconscious mind becomes open to suggestion, allowing for healing and transformation.

Your journey toward self-improvement and therapeutic healing begins with understanding the different types of hypnotherapy. While the list below may not be exhaustive, it will empower you to choose the type of hypnotherapy that resonates with you as you take the first step toward creating the life you want.

Traditional Hypnosis

The most well-known type of hypnosis is traditional hypnosis, sometimes called suggestion hypnosis. This approach uses post-hypnotic suggestions to affect the client’s behavior, thoughts, and feelings during a hypnotic state, with the intention that these changes remain in effect after the hypnosis session.

Stage Hypnosis

While stage hypnosis is a type of hypnosis, it’s important to note that its intention differs significantly from that of hypnotherapy. Stage hypnosis is purely for entertainment purposes. The post-hypnotic suggestions during stage hypnosis elicit a more physical/external response from the hypnotized volunteers for the audience to watch. It’s a show, not a form of therapy. During hypnotherapy, on the other hand, post-hypnotic suggestions are meant to elicit more intrinsic responses intended to help the client remove unwanted behaviors, elicit self-awareness, and help them create the lives they want.

Ericksonian Hypnosis 

Ericksonian Hypnosis derives its name from Milton Erickson, the father of modern hypnotherapy. It is a type of hypnosis that uses metaphors, storytelling, and indirect suggestions instead of direct suggestions or commands like traditional hypnosis. The theory behind this technique is that the client is less likely to resist indirect suggestions, which can help them absorb and internalize them more effectively. It relies significantly on one’s unconscious mind and offers a more organic approach to suggesting change. This type of hypnosis is beneficial for those who are skeptical of traditional hypnosis.

Clinical Hypnotherapy

Clinical hypnotherapy is a method best practiced by hypnotherapists who have received advanced education, often at least four years of higher education, advanced training, and a certification in clinical hypnotherapy. Clinical hypnotherapists frequently receive client referrals from psychiatrists, psychologists, and medical doctors. They may also work in hospitals and other clinical settings. It’s crucial to ensure that your hypnotherapist is trained and certified if you seek hypnotherapy in collaboration with other mental or medical treatments, as this can significantly impact the effectiveness and safety of your sessions. 

Photo credit MK Hamilton

Clinical hypnotherapy focuses on the client’s intrinsic and sometimes external change. It includes many subgenres of hypnotherapy. Clinical hypnotherapy offers the benefits of traditional psychotherapy combined with the many benefits of hypnotherapy. Some of these sub-genres of clinical hypnotherapy include but are not limited to,

• Cognitive-Behavioral Hypnotherapy (CBH) often involves cognitive techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Rational-emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). These evidence-based therapeutic practices, combined with hypnosis, give clients the tools to manage and overcome many daily challenges, such as stress and feelings of anxiety, as well as some physical ailments. 

• Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy

  Solution-focused hypnotherapy centers on the client’s present circumstances and the changes they want to make in their lives. Instead of delving into the past and all the events that brought the client to this point, this combines psychotherapy and hypnosis to help the client enact change in the here and now, typically in a shorter time frame.

• Analytical Hypnotherapy

  Analytical hypnotherapy, also known as hypnoanalysis, is a type of therapy that seeks to uncover and resolve the underlying cause of an issue. It combines elements from analytical psychotherapy with hypnotherapy methods. The intention is to manage symptoms and treat and resolve deep-seated problems. These intentions make it an ideal approach for addressing persistent issues over time.

Photo credit: Christina Wocintechchat

Conversational Hypnosis

Conversational hypnosis is a unique and effective method of hypnosis that uses targeted language as a form of hypnotherapy to tap into the client’s subconscious mind and facilitate positive changes in their life. The conversational hypnotherapist uses specific words and techniques to make these changes during a conversation.

Self-Hypnosis

Self-hypnosis involves using hypnosis techniques to enter a relaxed, trance-like state. This state allows you to explore your subconscious mind and increase self-awareness. You can also listen to pre-recorded audio recordings through an app or professional recording or even create your own. Hypnosis is similar to meditation, as they both result in similar brain wave patterns, making it an ideal state for facilitating positive change and creating the life you want.

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Hypnosis

NLP Hypnosis combines the techniques of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) with hypnosis to create a powerful tool for transformation. By utilizing language and sensory-based strategies from NLP and the ability to induce a hypnotic state, the hypnotherapist aims to reprogram thought patterns and behaviors in their client. This change is achieved through specific interventions while the client is in a hypnotic state of deep relaxation and suggestibility.

Regression Hypnotherapy

As a practitioner, I prioritize your well-being and safety. For this reason, I do not use regression hypnotherapy in my practice due to its controversial nature and potential harm to clients. This decision is made with your best interests at heart, ensuring that your healing journey is free from unnecessary anxiety and distress.

Remember, it’s important to note that hypnotherapy, like any form of therapy, has its limitations and potential risks. It may not be suitable for everyone, and it’s crucial to consult a qualified professional before embarking on this journey if you experience any mental health or medical issues.

"People do not come into therapy to change their past, but their future".

Milton Erickson