Clinical hypnotherapy is the combination of hypnosis as well as psychological therapy performed by a professional who is trained like Psychologists, Clinical Hypnotherapists or Mental Health Worker, as well as a Medical Practitioner. The use of hypnosis to treat therapeutic purposes is to enter a state of relaxation in which your therapist talks to the subconscious side of your brain. They make suggestions that are relevant to the specific symptoms such as anxiety, pain, or addiction. Consider the hypnosis process as an “connector” connecting your subconscious mind with your conscious mind. It is called the state of trance. In gaining access to deeply buried memories, memories, and repressed emotions, we are able to quickly identify the cause of harmful behavior or habits that could otherwise take several weeks to discover. This is why a lot of doctors and other health professionals are turning to the power of hypnotherapy to speed up results for their clients.
What are the advantages of hypnotherapy for clinical use?
1. Acute and chronic pain is less severe.
The Clinical Hypnotherapy study conducted in 2009, comparing results from 13 studies that analysed the results of hypnosis used to treat pain, discovered that in nearly every instance hypnosis therapy consistently resulted in significant reductions in the number of chronic pain-related problems. (Elkins, Jensen & Patterson 20019) Chronic pain refers to the presence of pain that lasts for at least six months or more, and could result in a great deal of distress and suffering. Clinical hypnotherapy with a practitioner-led instruction (during sessions) and self-hypnosis instruction on behalf of the person (outside of the session) assisted in reducing the pain that is associated with arthritis, physical disability, fibromyalgia lower back pain, and cancer. The method of hypnosis used for treating patients was to increase the patient’s competence and proficiency in managing stress and pain through imagining different sensations within the affected areas.
2. A decrease in anxiety and signs of depression
With one-in-seven Australians suffering from depression during their lives with one out of four suffering from an anxiety disorder (Beyond Blue 2020), mental health problems are quickly becoming Australia’s biggest health concern. Hypnotherapy for clinical purposes can assist those who are suffering from depression and anxiety by helping improve their physical and mental control, decreasing self-consciousness and focussing attention (Stanford 2016,). When you are in hypnotherapy with us Our Hampton Hill hypnotherapist will lead you to a state of relaxation and suggest coping strategies that can help you combat the symptoms of depression and anxiety. By using phrases such as “when you be anxious or stressed then you should pause for a moment, breathe deeply and count three times” Your mind will learn how to better react, rather than react , to challenging events or emotions. In the trance-like state that you experience in hypnotherapy your mind is much more open suggestions than it is normally.
3. Control of fears or phobias
A very sought-after applications of Clinical Hypnotherapy is to manage the effects of fears and phobias. A phobia is “a constant and intense fear of the expectation of coming into contact with the presence of a particular object or circumstance” like flying, spiders, huge crowds…etc (Fredette El-Baalbaki and Fredette Neron and Palardy, 2012). For those who suffer from the condition, it could create a feeling of fear or anxiety that is that is accompanied by physical symptoms like sweating, breathing heavy and an increase in heart rate. A study from 2008 conducted in California, USA, found all patients who were treated with hypnotherapy for certain fears such as fear of snakes as well as driving, and heights. They had an average 56.46 percentage reduction in symptoms compared to their baseline scores (Alliant International University San Diego). A 1993 report from the American Psychological Association found that “both rare and common fears have been successfully treated by the use of hypnosis” typically using image-based therapy as well as suggestive desensitisation techniques.
4. Substance abuse and addiction
Clinical hypnotherapy is an effective, drug-free solution to the problem of addiction and abuse of substances for those who struggle with addiction, gambling, alcohol, drugs food, sexual sex, and many other issues. In a hypnotic state you’re more inclined to suggestions and less reluctant to look into deeply emotional traumas and past experiences that may be the cause of or triggered your addiction. Clinical Hypnotherapy could also offer an optimistic view of your addiction, giving you the confidence and the willpower to overcome harmful habits. In a study conducted in 2017 of Sawni & Breuner, clinical Hypnotherapy was found to increase the willpower of participants to defeat cravings and urges to eat. The study also showed that hypnosis has the ability to “potentially positively alter the neurophysiological systems capable of rewiring specific patterns and rewiring” within the brain. This is especially beneficial for treating habits and addictions.
When considering the use of clinical hypnotherapy to treat addiction to alcohol or drugs It is important to speak with your doctor prior to determining whether it’s appropriate for you.
5. Relationship issues and self-esteem
Perhaps one of the less well-known uses of clinical Hypnotherapy is its effectiveness in improving relationships with others and self-esteem. Hypnotherapy can be described as an “psychological and mental process of healing (that is able to be utilized) to accomplish desired goals like changing the way you feel or behavior” (Kircsh 1995) The emotions or behavior are often based on negative beliefs, attitudes and expectations we have about our relationship with others and ourselves; which could be detrimental to our progress and/or our success. In allowing you to look deeper into your emotions and thoughts in hypnosis you will be able to recognize patterns in your behaviour that may contribute to negative results. Utilizing techniques that suggest our hypnotherapist will start to transform your way of speaking to yourself, be aware of the person you are, deal with events, interact with others and look at life’s happenings in a new way.
