What is Hypnotherapy?
Did you know that hypnosis is the oldest form of Western psychotherapy?
Moreover, the use and influence of hypnosis is so effective that hundreds of thousands of years later, it is still regularly practiced and used for treatment today.
Even Dr. David Spiegel, Professor and Associate Chair at Stanford University, states that
hypnosis is a "very powerful means of changing the way we
use our minds to control perception and our bodies.”
But what is hypnosis exactly? And how can hypnosis help you?
According to the American Psychology Association, hypnosis is a procedure in which a professional guides someone through experiencing changes in their sensation, perception, thoughts, and/or behaviours through the use of suggestions.
Most people can be hypnotized, but contrary to popular belief, you are always in control while you are in hypnosis. Hypnotists/Hypnotherapists can never make you do something you do not want to do. This is because your mind will only accept suggestions that are beneficial to you. Moreover, some people may actually be in greater control while hypnotized.
Why is that?
In hypnosis, your mind becomes simultaneously more relaxed and focused. My clients often feel that the "chatter" they hear in their minds often fades away as I guide them into directly accessing and interacting with their subconscious minds.
How Effective is Hypnotherapy?
In comparison to psychoanalysis and behaviour therapy, hypnotherapy can be more effective and more efficient:
Psychoanalysis: 38% recovery after 600 sessions
Behavior Therapy: 72% recovery after 22 sessions
Hypnotherapy: 93% recovery after 6 sessions
Source: Barrios, A. A. (1970). Hypnotherapy: A reappraisal. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice, 7(1), 2–7. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0086544
Is Hypnotherapy Safe?
Hypnosis is a natural and safe state that we enter in our day-to-day lives.
For instance, while taking your usual commute to the office, have you ever gone into "autopilot" mode where you're suddenly at your destination before you even realize it?
Or, have you ever "spaced out" during a shower and lost track of time?
Or, have you ever gotten so wrapped up in a passion project that you enter a "flow" state and it seems like the project is creating itself?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then you have gone into hypnosis.
As a matter of fact, all of us enter a hypnotic state right before we enter REM sleep or dream.
In essence, hypnosis is an incredible state of mind we enter
whenever our subconscious mind takes over.
With hypnotherapy, I guide my clients to directly communicate with their subconscious mind and make beneficial changes to their mindset. Many of my clients have said that they enjoy being hypnotized as they feel relaxed, at peace, and — sometimes for the first time in their lives — in charge of their minds.
If this feels like the right fit for you, or if you have any questions at all, feel free to contact us.