Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic practice that uses guided hypnosis to help a client reach a trance-like state of focused attention and deep relaxation. The brain reaches a theta state in which the therapist helps the client access the subconscious mind. In this state, a person's mind is more open and responsive to positive suggestions and imagery, which can help facilitate healthy changes in perceptions, sensations, emotions, thoughts, or behaviors.
Numerous studies have shown that hypnotherapy can be effective in treating a variety of conditions, including anxiety, pain, insomnia, addiction (alcohol, smoking cessation, etc.)
It can also be highly effective for peak performance by enhancing focus, reducing anxiety, and improving confidence through techniques like guided imagery and mental rehearsal. It is used in sports, business, and other fields to help individuals overcome mental obstacles and achieve peak performance, with evidence suggesting it can improve concentration and reaction time.
Why Hypnotherapy versus other modalities?
Hypnotherapy is chosen over other modalities for its ability to access the subconscious mind to address issues at a deeper level, often resulting in faster progress for certain conditions like phobias, anxiety, addiction, habits, and chronic pain. Unlike some other therapies that focus on conscious analysis, hypnotherapy works by allowing direct suggestion for change, which can lead to quick results and a reduced sense of effort for the individual. For more long-term emotional support, we typically recommend adding Talk Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to program.
How Hypnotherapy Works
The process involves both psychological and neurological mechanisms, all while the client remains fully aware and in control.
Focused Attention and Altered Awareness: A trained hypnotherapist uses verbal cues, repetition, and mental imagery to guide a client into a state of heightened concentration, similar to being completely absorbed in a book or movie. This shifts the focus away from external distractions and daily critical thinking processes toward inner experiences.
Increased Suggestibility: In this relaxed, focused state, the "critical conscious mind" is temporarily quieted, allowing the subconscious mind to be more accessible. The therapist can then make suggestions that are better received and more likely to be acted upon to support the client's goals.
Neurological Changes: Brain imaging studies show measurable changes in brain activity during hypnosis, including shifts in brain wave patterns (often into the alpha and theta range, associated with deep relaxation and creativity) and altered connectivity between different brain regions. This can affect how the brain processes information, pain, and emotions.
Behavioral and Perceptual Changes: By accepting new ideas and reframing thought patterns at a subconscious level, clients can modify deeply ingrained beliefs and automatic responses that may be causing problems.
Who is this for?
Hypnosis can treat patients by addressing various psychological and medical objectives as well as peak performance (in career, business, sports).
Mental and emotional health
Anxiety, self-esteem, depression, stress, panic attacks, and phobias
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Insomnia
Eating disorders
Grief and loss
Addiction
Relationships
Socio-emotional behaviors
Pain management and medical conditions
Chronic pain (headaches, migraines)
Surgery, procedures, childbirth
Pain from burns or cancer treatment
Improving memory after brain injuries
Behavioral change and habit modification
Quitting smoking
Weight management
Overcoming habits like thumb sucking or bed-wetting
Achieving peak performance in career, business, and sports
Focus and concentration: Hypnosis helps quiet a wandering mind, leading to sharper focus and improved reaction times.
Confidence and self-belief: It can build and reinforce confidence by reframing limiting beliefs and reinforcing a positive self-image.
Motivation: It can increase motivation and ambition by helping you overcome feelings of discouragement or lack of motivation.
Goal setting: Hypnosis can help clarify goals and reinforce commitment to achieving them.
Emotional and anxiety management
Performance anxiety: It helps reduce the physiological and mental responses to stress and anxiety before and during performance.
Stress reduction: It provides techniques to control the physical reaction to stress.
Overcoming fear: It can address fears, such as fear of failure or success, and phobias that may be holding you back.
Physical and skill improvement
Skill development: It can improve skills by reinforcing proper technique and mental rehearsal in a heightened state of concentration.
Pain management: It helps manage physical pain and allows athletes to cope with discomfort during training or competition.
Recovery: It may help reduce recovery time after physical exertion.
Sleep: It can improve the quality of sleep, which is vital for recovery and performance.
Mental rewiring and overcoming blocks
Reframing past failures: Hypnosis allows you to revisit past negative experiences in a safe space, neutralizing their emotional impact so they no longer hinder future performance.
Eliminating mental blocks: It systematically helps eliminate mental blocks that can prevent you from reaching your peak potential.
Modeling: You can use hypnosis to visualize and internalize the skills and mindset of a successful role model.
What happens during a session?
The first session typically involves discussing your goals and personal history.
The hypnotherapist will explain the process and how it works.
The session will involve a relaxation process to guide you into a hypnotic trance, where you may be given positive suggestions or asked to visualize things.
Is hypnotherapy safe?
Hypnotherapy is safe because it is not mind control; clients remain in control, are aware, and can recall their experience, while the practice is only effective if the individual is willing to make changes. It's a state of focused relaxation and awareness, not a loss of consciousness. Working with a trained and certified therapist is key to its safety and effectiveness, and it should not be used for individuals with severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia.
Will I remember?
Yes, you will remember what happened during the session, much like you would recall a conversation, a meditation class, or a vivid dream.
How many sessions are needed?
I offer a minimum of 4 sessions in order for the therapy for be effective. The exact number of sessions depends on the individual and the issue being treated. There is no one-size-fits-all answer.
Overview of hypnotherapy treatment plan for the first 4 sessions
Session 1: Review intake form and presenting problems. After this session, Megan will customize a personal hypnosis prescribed for the individual client. (50 min) $200
