Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy

What is hypnosis and hypnotherapy?

Hypnosis and hypnotherapy can allow clients to travel deeper into the unconscious or subconscious to look at and work with issues and ideas perhaps inaccessible otherwise. It’s like guided daydreaming: a form of relaxed concentration.

Hypnosis is the process of being guided into a “trance state”. This is simply the state you feel where you’re super relaxed – and this happens naturally to us from time to time. If you’ve ever zoned out during a meeting, while getting a massage or while someone plays with your hair then you’ve been in a trance state. For most people, being in hypnosis does not seem much different to how they feel at other times during wakeful relaxation.

Hypnotherapy is when the therapist guides you into that trance state (hypnosis) where you can learn more about yourself, your feelings, past experiences, etc. for the purpose of healing, relief, and growth.

How does hypnosis and hypnotherapy work?

When you are in the trance state, your conscious and subconscious mind are connected, making it easier for the therapist to make and for you to accept positive and helpful suggestions about the concern for which you are seeking treatment, for example, stopping a problematic behaviour or belief.

Hypnosis is very safe and is considered an effective therapy for behaviour change. You are always in control and you will not do anything that you would normally not do.

There are benefits to hypnosis and hypnotherapy including:

• Improving mood
• Increasing health & vitality
• Improving sleep
• Improved work/athletic performance
• Improving relationships

When is hypnosis and hypnotherapy used?

Hypnosis and hypnotherapy have been used to treat many conditions and areas of concern, including:

• Anxiety
• Stress management
• Brain injury
• Bruxism (teeth grinding)
• Handling chronic illness and pain
• Insomnia
• Panic disorder
• Phobias
• Weight concerns
• Eating disorders

This type of therapy may be used to treat other conditions and concerns in addition to those listed above. It may also be used in conjunction with other treatment methods. Your therapist will work with you to determine the best treatment method for your individual circumstances.

You should be aware that there is no treatment method that is successful for every person. What works for you, may not work for someone else.

What to expect from therapy

Put simply, you will get out of therapy what you put into it. It’s not a magic solution that will solve all your problems. It may involve you doing some real work and being completely honest with yourself and your therapist. Sometimes facing our truth is the hardest thing of all – but from that discomfort can come healing and growth.

Insight’s therapists are available for in-person, online, or telephone counselling at several locations in Alberta. Contact us to learn more.