What is Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy is a technique that utilizes hypnosis to aid in the treatment of specific symptoms or health conditions. Hypnotherapy works by inducing a hypnotic state marked by a waking awareness that allows people to experience detached external attention and to focus on inner experiences.

It is used as part of a treatment plan for phobias and other anxiety disorders. It is also sometimes used for pain management, weight loss, smoking cessation, and a variety of other applications.

Techniques

During a hypnotherapy session, you will be guided through a process to induce a trance-like state that helps you to focus your mind, respond more readily to suggestions, and become deeply relaxed. Hypnotherapy utilizes the heightened awareness of the hypnotic state to help you focus on an issue more deeply. Hypnotherapy utilizes techniques including:

• Relaxation: You will be guided to visualize yourself in a state of peacefulness and relaxation, even when confronting a problematic behaviour or the object of your fears.
• Suggestion: Gentle suggestions for behaviour changes can help you conquer your issue.
• Coping skills: You may be taught certain cognitive-behavioural coping skills that you can use when confronting fears or anxieties.
• Exploration of past experiences: You may even be encouraged to talk about the first time you experienced the behaviour or problem that you are trying to overcome and how you felt at that moment.