With growing awareness of mental health and widespread use of evidence based approaches, the practice of hypnosis in therapy is slowly gaining momentum as a helpful, results based method of therapy. If you’ve ever wondered what hypnosis is and how it can help, you’ve come to the right place! Read on to find out more.

What is hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a trance-like state of mind resulting in heightened focus and suggestibility. Hypnotherapists use various techniques to induce this altered state of consciousness helping clients relax and facilitate desired behavioral changes. Interestingly, the history of hypnosis goes all the way back to the prehistoric era where this altered state of mind was referred to as “Temple Sleep”. Hypnosis was widely studied by Franz Anton Mezmer and used by well-regarded names in the world of psychotherapy and behaviourists like Sigmund Freud, Ivan Pavlov and Milton Erikson.

What does hypnosis feel like?

Hypnosis is a naturally occurring state. We all feel the hypnotic trance everyday! Once right before we drift to sleep and again upon waking. Imagine for a moment the feeling while taking a nap of being both half asleep and half awake - this is similar to what the hypnotic trance may feel like. Unlike pop culture’s representation of hypnosis, individuals in a hypnotic trance have complete control over themselves. They can choose to open their eyes, wake up, and accept or reject a particular suggestion at any time one wants. It’s not forceful or involuntary.

What is the process?

The first step is inducing trance. The hypnotist can do that by absorbing attention and bypassing the critical mind. This allows access to a deeper part of the subconscious that stores potentially problematic behaviours and associations. The next step involves the use of hypnotic suggestions to facilitate change in those behaviours and associations. The last step is to bring the individual out from the trance back to awareness. Typically the entire process may take one to one-and-a-half hours, approximately the length of a single session.

Who can benefit?

Hypnosis can benefit anyone and everyone! Studies show that hypnosis is a highly effective treatment for pain control, phobias, smoking cessation, irritable bowel syndrome, psychosexual issues, anxiety, emotional dysregulation and weight loss.

If you’re curious about hypnosis, connect with your therapist to ask them more!

What is Hypnotherapy and How Can it Help?