Hypnosis in Psychotherapy
How Does Hypnosis Work in Psychotherapy?
I use hypnosis in therapy because it changed my life. It was the most therapeutic experience I’ve ever had. Since then, I’ve used hypnosis to help my clients access deeper healing. In many cases, it has led to breakthroughs they couldn’t reach through traditional talk therapy.
Still, some people are hesitant. I’ve had clients drop out of therapy just at the mention of hypnosis.
So let me explain how I use hypnosis in therapy and why it works. After reading this, you’ll have a clear understanding of what hypnosis is and how it might support your healing.
What is hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a natural, altered state of consciousness where the mind becomes more open to suggestion, imagery, and inner experience. It is not sleep or unconsciousness, but rather a shift into a different mode of awareness that’s quieter, more inward, and less filtered by critical thinking.
We move in and out of this state naturally throughout the day. When you’re watching a good movie and lose track of time, or when you arrive at your destination without remembering the drive, you’ve likely experienced it. Daydreaming is another common example.
When we are in hypnosis, our critical, analytical minds calm down, and we become more open to new ways of seeing things. Psychological issues often arise because we habitually repeat the same thoughts, feelings, and actions, which results in recreating and reliving the familiar past. Hypnosis helps interrupt these patterns so we can access something new and begin to create a different future.
Here’s an example. Mike came to therapy for chronic anxiety. Although he is highly accomplished in his career as an investment banker, he can’t help feeling inferior to others. As a result, he suffers from social anxiety and is afraid of making mistakes. People have told Mike many times how successful and intelligent he is, but he continues to feel flawed and fears he will be found out.
Talking through his issues brings only slow progress. Mike is a smart person with a very active critical mind. His sharp thinking gets in the way and blocks any attempts to convince him that he is good enough and doesn’t have to live with anxiety.
Eventually, out of exhaustion, he agrees to give hypnosis a try. He closes his eyes and allows himself to be guided into a calm, relaxed state. The constant chatter in his mind begins to quiet, which gives him space to feel and think more clearly. In this state, he notices that his mind feels more open and creative. Without the usual resistance, he begins to think and feel differently. He is also able to reprocess past traumatic memories and starts to release the emotional burden he has been carrying for so long.
When he opens his eyes and returns to everyday awareness, he is surprised.
“What was that? That couldn’t have been hypnosis because I was awake the whole time. I was also thinking and talking!”
That’s right. Hypnosis doesn’t involve falling asleep, losing consciousness, or giving up your will. More on this below.
Is hypnosis safe?
There are many myths surrounding hypnosis which are false, especially in the context of therapeutic hypnosis.
Hypnosis does NOT involve loss of consciousness or control. In most cases when I work with clients, they hear every word I say and stay engaged. We communicate throughout the hypnosis session, and if they feel uncomfortable at any point, they can choose to open their eyes and come back to their everyday consciousness. Sometimes, clients go into a deeper trance where they feel as if they are dreaming, but even then, they have a choice to bring themselves out of that state immediately if needed.
Further to this, hypnosis is NOT mind control. Unless it’s what you want to do, hypnosis does NOT compel people to reveal secrets or tell the truth against their will.
Another question I get is whether hypnosis will make them cluck like a chicken or do other weird things. The answer is no, unless that’s what the person is looking to do through hypnosis. This myth comes from watching stage hypnosis shows where the purpose is to entertain people.
Can hypnosis cause harm? Yes, it’s possible to retraumatize someone or implant false traumatic memories using hypnosis. However, these instances are rare and sometimes comparable to a medical professional using their position and authority to abuse their patients. Responsible professionals receive extensive training in preventing such harm.
At the end of the day, hypnosis is a therapeutic tool. Although hypnosis can be harmful in the wrong hands, so are many of the other tools and techniques used in psychotherapy. Use of hypnosis shouldn’t be a cause for alarm as long as you are working with a well-trained professional with common sense and integrity.
What does hypnosis look like in a therapy session?
There are a few different ways I incorporate hypnosis into therapy sessions, and having a formal hypnosis session is only one of many.
Starting with the most informal way, the principles of hypnosis are reflected in the way I speak, listen, and ask questions. I use hypnotic language patterns to engage your unconscious mind and help you get to the change you are looking for.
Before I learned hypnosis, it was easy to fall into a pattern of “arguing” with my client where there were attempts to convince and resist.
ME: “Yes, of course you are good enough. Here are the reasons: X, Y, Z. The evidence is so clear!”
(Did I tell you I was a lawyer?)
CLIENT: “Yeah, I know that in my head, but I still feel like a failure.”
Safe to say, it didn’t work.
What I do instead is that using certain language patterns, I invite my client to experience the change in her mind using the power of imagination (fun fact, our brains don’t really distinguish well between imagined and real events). When this happens, I don’t have to do any convincing because her own mind already does all the heavy lifting.
If you are more familiar with meditation or you are comfortable working with eyes closed, we can do some hypnotic work in light trance (meaning you are relaxed yet alert). Closing our eyes reduces sensory input and increases alpha brain wave activity, which is associated with relaxation.
The types of hypnotic work we can do in this state are many, and you’ll find that it feels very “normal” in the context of a therapy session. Most people love doing this because it’s relaxing as well as interesting and out of the ordinary.
If you are interested in more formal hypnosis, we can dedicate a full session. Both in-person and online work well. We’ll first discuss your intention and objectives, take some time for you to enter a hypnotic state (this is called induction), and you’ll be guided through a process that’s designed to help you do the healing work in your own mind.
Empower Yourself with Hypnosis
There was a time in my life when everything felt out of control. My mood was all over the place, and I was anxious to the point I couldn’t live my life.
Hypnosis taught me that I have the power to change. It showed me how to use my own mind for healing, positive changes, and growth. It helped me take charge of my life and do what I love to do. And I know it can do the same for you.