Hypnosis can be thought of as a state of highly focused attention. You are always in control during hypnotherapy. As your hypnotherapist, I help you enter a “trance state” or state of relaxation that allows you to turn your attention inward. This empowers you to discover and utilize resources that you already have within yourself to heal and change. 

During hypnotherapy, you will be guided in a way that will feel very similar to a relaxing meditation. This helps you enter a “non-ordinary state” or “trance state”. In this state, your  brain’s neuroplasticity increases which can allow for the creation of new neural structures and connections. 

Trance states are actually a very common occurrence in day to day life. A trance state is similar to the feeling similar to shavasana pose during yoga, yoga nidra, or the feeling they get when engaging in deep transcendental meditation. Other types of everyday daydreaming or disassociation may also fall under the umbrella of trance states: listening to music, drumming, dance, art making, forest bathing, running, “flow states”. Many guided meditations you can find online have some elements of hypnotic induction to them and lead you into a trance state. 

During hypnotherapy, you will still be conscious and in full control of your body, just as you would be during a guided meditation. You will still be able to sit up and respond to external stimuli. 

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Does it really work?

 

Hypnotherapy is a powerful supplemental tool to traditional talk therapy. There are many misconceptions about hypnosis due to stage hypnosis, which is much different than using hypnosis in a therapeutic setting.

 

The American Psychological Association and American Medical Association have recognized hypnotherapy as a valid procedure since 1958, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has recommended it as a treatment for chronic pain since 1995.

 

One study showed that hypnotherapy has a 93% success rate after only 6 sessions, compared to a 72% success rate of behavior therapy after 22 sessions, and 38% success rate of psychoanalysis after 600 sessions. 

 

Studies have also shown that long-range addiction treatment programs' success rates increase by up to 68% when treatment includes a hypnosis program. 

 

Benefits of Hypnotherapy

 

Hypnotherapy allows us to work with the subconscious mind much more effectively than traditional talk therapy, resulting in faster and more lasting change of outdated patterns, habits, and belief systems that are keeping you stuck. 

 

Hypnotherapy can help with:

Stress and Anxiety:

• Hypnotherapy is known for its effectiveness in managing stress and anxiety. By inducing a state of deep relaxation, it helps individuals access their subconscious minds to identify and address the root causes of stress. Research suggests that hypnotherapy can lead to a reduction in anxiety symptoms and an improved sense of well-being.

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Trauma:

• Traumatic experiences often leave a lasting impact on the mind and body. Hypnotherapy can assist individuals in processing and coping with trauma by accessing the subconscious mind, where memories and emotions are stored. Research indicates that hypnotherapy can be a valuable component of trauma-focused therapy, aiding in the resolution and healing of traumatic events.

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Sleep Disorders:

• For those struggling with sleep disorders, hypnotherapy offers a non-invasive and drug-free approach. Research has explored the use of hypnosis to improve sleep quality by addressing underlying psychological factors contributing to insomnia or other sleep disturbances. The calming nature of hypnotherapy can promote relaxation and facilitate a restful night's sleep.

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Pain Management:

• Hypnotherapy has shown promise in alleviating chronic pain and enhancing pain management strategies. Studies have indicated that hypnosis can modulate pain perception, reduce the intensity of pain, and improve overall pain-related outcomes. It is often used as a complementary approach in conjunction with other pain management techniques.

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Habitual Behaviors:

• Changing ingrained habits can be challenging, but hypnotherapy can provide a powerful tool for breaking unwanted patterns. Research highlights the role of hypnosis in facilitating behavioral change by influencing the subconscious mind. Whether it's smoking cessation, weight loss, or other habitual behaviors, hypnotherapy can help individuals reshape their thoughts and actions.

 

Hypnotherapy and the Neuroscience Connection: Understanding Brain Wave States

Hypnotherapy's effectiveness is intricately tied to the neuroscience of the mind, specifically the exploration of brain wave states. Research sheds light on how hypnosis induces changes in brain activity, influencing various cognitive and emotional processes.

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Brain Wave States:

• The brain operates at different frequencies, known as brain wave states, each associated with specific mental states. Hypnotherapy primarily engages two key states: the alpha and theta brain wave states.

  • Alpha State: This state, characterized by relaxed and focused awareness, is akin to the feeling just before falling asleep or during meditation. Hypnotherapy induces the alpha state, allowing individuals to access their subconscious minds more readily. Studies suggest that the alpha state is conducive to heightened suggestibility and receptivity to therapeutic interventions.

  • Theta State: Deeper than the alpha state, the theta state is associated with profound relaxation and increased access to the subconscious. Research indicates that hypnosis can facilitate the transition to theta, enabling individuals to explore and address deeply rooted emotions and memories.

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So what is the process like?

 

1. Consult Call - Start with a 20 minute consultation call to see if we are a good fit. Learn about my approach, hypnotherapy, and fees. Tell me a little about yourself and ask all the questions on your mind.

2. Session 1 Intake and Prep - In this session, we’ll go through an intake interview, ask you about your history, health, and family. We will also work with you to create goals for your hypnosis sessions. This will help us measure your progress and fine tune our work together. 

3. Sessions 2-5 Hypnotherapy  - These sessions will involve the bulk of our hypnotherapy work together. You will be guided through hypnotic inductions customized to you and your goals. These sessions combine trauma informed hypnotherapy with traditional therapeutic tools including inner child work, somatic processing, parts work, and more. With each session, we’ll check-in on your progress toward your goals and make adjustments to the treatment as necessary.