What is hypnotherapy?
The mention of hypnosis may bring up negative associations or stereotypes involving stage magic shows or people behaving strangely while hypnotised. But hypnosis has legitimate clinical uses. Hypnotherapy is a form of therapy that involves inducing a trance-like state in a person to access their subconscious mind. When a person is in this state, a hypnotherapist can help them alter their thoughts, emotions, and behaviour, potentially leading to positive changes in their physical and mental health. Hypnotherapy has been used to treat a wide range of conditions, including chronic and acute pain, stress and anxiety, and phobias.
Chronic and acute pain
Pain is a common complaint among people of all ages. Whether it’s chronic or acute pain, it can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. Hypnotherapy can be an effective tool in managing pain. By inducing a state of deep relaxation, a hypnotherapist can help reduce muscle tension, promote blood flow, and decrease the perception of pain. Hypnotherapy can be used to manage pain related to conditions such as fibromyalgia, arthritis, and migraines.
Stress and anxiety
Hypnotherapy can help manage stress and anxiety by inducing a state of deep relaxation in a person. In this state, a person’s body and mind can relax and become receptive to suggestions from a hypnotherapist. Hypnotherapy can help reduce the intensity of negative thoughts and emotions, such as fear, worry, and panic. This can be especially helpful for those who experience chronic stress or anxiety, as it can help to break the cycle of negative thoughts and emotions.
Hypnotherapy can also be used to help a person identify the root cause of their stress or anxiety. By accessing the subconscious mind, a hypnotherapist can help a person uncover any underlying emotional or psychological issues that may be contributing to their stress or anxiety. Once these issues are identified, the hypnotherapist can work with the person to develop a plan to address them.
Phobias
Phobias are defined as intense, irrational fears of specific objects, situations, or activities. Common phobias include fear of spiders, heights, enclosed spaces, and public speaking. Phobias can be debilitating and can significantly impact a person’s daily life. Hypnotherapy can be an effective treatment for phobias by accessing the subconscious mind and changing the person’s response to the phobia. A hypnotherapist can help a person face their fears and reframe their thoughts and emotions related to the phobia.
For example, if a person has a fear of public speaking, the hypnotherapist may guide them through visualisation exercises to help them feel more confident and comfortable speaking in front of others. The hypnotherapist may also use positive affirmations and other techniques to help the person develop a more positive and empowering mindset towards public speaking. Through hypnotherapy, a person can also be desensitised to their phobia by gradual exposure to the feared object, situation or activity while in a relaxed state. This can help the person to develop a more positive and rational response to the phobia over time.
Contact Stephen Jacobs to learn more
If you think hypnotherapy may be able to help you, don’t hesitate to reach out to Stephen to find out more about this treatment modality.
