From treating stress to various phobias and addictions, hypnotherapy has come a long way from being broadcasted on television shows as a form of entertainment and mockery. Indeed, it seems as though hypnotherapy is making a comeback into the therapy world, re-recognized as an effective form of treatment for anxiety, mood disorders, and chronic pain. Let’s look at the craze behind hypnotherapy.
What is hypnotherapy?
Many of us think of hypnotherapy as being conditioned into a state of suggestibility and being under the hypnotist’s control. But hypnosis itself is not the therapy. Instead, it is a form of hypnotherapy, part of psychotherapy. Hypnosis is the state of intense focus, concentration, and relaxation. A trained therapist guides one to adopt a new perspective or form of awareness, to have the client relax to uncover traumatic or repressed memories from the unconscious mind. It was never intended to be used to control people’s behaviour. Still, it was often used as a ‘last resort for patients when pharmacological options and other therapies were failing.
What’s the hype?
With very high success rates of permanently changed behaviours, thought patterns and habits, one of the main attractions of hypnotherapy seems to be its use for a wide variety of problems, all while requiring fewer sessions than traditional forms of therapy like behavioural or cognitive behavioural approaches. Improvements can be seen after one to two sessions.
It has been found that hypnotherapy effectively works for:
- Pain management and control: headaches, fibromyalgia, cancer, burns, childbirth.
- The treatment of menopausal symptoms like hot flashes.
- Changed behaviours such as smoking, bed-wetting, and insomnia.
- Changing your perceptions about events or relationships
- Building your confidence and self-love.
People’s mindsets are becoming more open to alternative therapy methods. While previously loved by more alternative and holistic healers, the science around hypnotherapy and its effectiveness has improved since its introduction, which might be why people are turning back to this method more and more. In addition, hypnotherapy is very relaxing to the patient, which helps to relieve built-up tension and pressure. Hypnotherapy addresses the root causes of problems, whereas medication only treats the symptoms.
How it works
Hypnotherapy utilises suggestion therapy and analysis as its two primary methods. A hypnotist uses hypnosis to take a client into a trance where various approaches are used to prepare the unconscious mind for the changes the client desires, such as helping the client visualise mental images of their achieved goals. During hypnosis, you are always in control of your behaviour and aware, even though you are in a heightened state of suggestibility. It is further believed that hypnotherapy creates new neural networks in the brain, making your brain more adjustable to change, thereby altering your behaviours.
Is hypnotherapy safe?
As with any therapy, there may always be problems that can arise when used beyond the extent. In the case of hypnotherapy, side effects that are likely to occur include headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, and anxiety. While the risks involved are rare, one of the most dangerous risks is that false memories can emerge. This may be because of the strong emotions that come attached. Another risk to be aware of is whether the therapist performing the hypnotherapy is qualified or not. Ask the necessary questions to ensure your safety. Like any other type of therapy, hypnotherapy might not work for you. Know what it entails and how it may impact you. The power of using hypnotherapy comes with great responsibility and, at times, may be misused. Thus, the therapist and client need to set clear objectives that need to be accomplished throughout hypnotherapy, as this will act as the guideline that keeps the therapy on track. Diverting from the goals indicates that misuse is taking place.
Currently, becoming a certified hypnotherapist in Namibia can only be achieved by studying in South Africa. It depends on the training institution, but most require a bachelor’s degree as a first step to become certified, although no essential qualifications are needed to start your training. However, increasing your career prospects and gaining professional experience requires a master’s, doctoral or medical degree.
Should I get hypnotherapy?
Although the medical community did not always accept hypnotism, its popularity and acceptance grew with the approval of psychiatry and psychiatric treatment methods. Today, many doctors themselves are advocates of hypnotherapy and can attest to the positive changes in their clients’ lives. Hypnosis can be as simple as zoning out while getting lost in a book or completing mindless tasks. It doesn’t have to be something scary. It might be worth considering hypnotherapy if you are interested in merging your conscious and unconscious mind and tapping into your more profound thoughts to generate positive change.
In conclusion, although stage hypnotists might have made hypnotherapy look mysterious and creepy, it’s actually a normal therapeutic method with proven effectiveness in the therapeutic world. It is high time we start turning towards more sustainable solutions, rather than merely taking pills for our symptoms. As a professional community, it is our duty to stay on top of the newest therapies and adapt, if they prove to be worthwhile. It is our responsibility to provide a service to our clients in the best way we can. Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it! And if you have ever gotten hypnotherapy and seen improvement, share that with others as this will help to change the stereotypical view and bad rep hypnotherapy has received in the past.