Is Hypnotherapy A Speedy Way To Rid Yourself of Past Trauma?
Explore the potential of hypnotherapy as a rapid path to healing from past trauma in our insightful article. Delve into the effectiveness of this therapeutic approach in addressing and alleviating the lingering effects of traumatic experiences. Gain valuable insights into the process and benefits of hypnotherapy as a potential tool for accelerated healing.
By Sophie Bronstein / Jan 18 2024
In the past few years, the mental health pendulum has swung so far, that with every social media scroll, you will probably come across someone referring to their ‘past trauma’ and the negative consequences of it. No longer are we a nation that suffers in silence.
But as so many alternative practices are arising in how to unravel ‘stored trauma,’ often dating back to childhood, how can one be sure you are taking the most time effective and method of long term benefit for you?
Whilst, arguably, Hypnotherapy, has been largely misunderstood in the mainstream wellness space, as a woo-woo type hypnosis (think swinging watches or tapping teacups) that was first championed by British hypnotist and TV personality, Paul McKenna, hypnotherapy is actually an ancient practice used by Romans and Egyptians.
Also, modern scientific research and development in brain study, proves the long-term results of hypnotherapy in treating everything from anxiety to PTSD and depression.
why choose hypnotherapy?
Traumatic experiences penetrate deep into our subconscious, particularly if not addressed over a long period of time, often causing problems in all areas of life from sabotaging relationships, to haunting ‘self-talk’ and low self-worth. Hypnotherapy is an effective technique for healing trauma because it bypasses the conscious mind to address subconscious emotions and the belying feelings: this method directly re-awakens blocked memories that have been suppressed by fear or anxiety so you can rewire your thoughts around the experiences into a positive light.
what is the core philosophy of hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is a safe, non-invasive method of directed self- hypnosis. Through connecting to your subconscious, you can reach negative beliefs and emotions that underlie physical ailments, change your thinking around negative past experiences, and treat disorders such as PTSD. Hypnotherapy often takes you back to past traumatic experiences, asking you to recall the event and feelings around it so you can rewire negative emotions or even gives you an alternative positive situation to re-imagine.
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essential elements in hypnotherapy to ease trauma long-term
Let's take a look at the different elements that make up and are used in hypnotherapy to help people ease their trauma in the long run.
deep trance
The patient is put into a deep sleep to recall events that differ from their daily experience. In this state the memories of the traumatic event are not distorted so when a patient describes an event, they often find details are missing because those have been ‘self-created’ through phobia, which generates false memories. Hypnotherapy aims to help the person face a clear picture of events and create recovery and acceptance.
distraction
Recounting a traumatic event can be extremely painful for sufferers, hypnotherapists can use distraction techniques getting patients to focus on other events, until the trauma is reduced and can be fully processed and accepted.
confronting the past
Often in cases of severe trauma, a patient can’t remember certain events or details in their past as ‘erasing’ the memory has been a way to ‘survive,’ hypnotherapy penetrates deep into thesubconscious with hypnotists asking questions such as ‘what do you see’ to kickstart the memory from the beginning and heal the trauma.
final thoughts
Whilst these are some essential elements, leading hypnotherapists, such as Paul Mckenna, have developed further insight into the mind, brain, trauma connection and work with not just hypnosis but NLP and Havening too.
Dr Spiegel, leading hypnosis expert and professor of psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine, simplifies what he acknowledges as ‘the many myths of what hypnosis exactly is’ with an analogy: ‘hypnosis is like losing yourself in a book – those times when the outside world fades away and a person is completely absorbed in what they are reading.’ He adds, ‘Whilst most people fear losing control in hypnosis, it is in fact a means of enhancing mind-body control.’
Whilst Hypnotherapy remains misunderstood as a life transforming technique, case studies show that it is beneficial in reducing depression, anxiety and trauma: however, in extreme cases and particularly for those suffering with PTSD, combining hypnotherapy with other forms of therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) are actually most effective.
Sessions generally last an hour: the depth of the trauma generally dictates how many sessions are required.
Leading Hypnotherapists to visit:
London Clinic of Hynotherapy founded by Lydia Johnson
Harmony Hypnotherapy founded by award winning hypnotherapist Darren Marks
DANDY DEVOTION...
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Disclaimer: this article is here for educational purposes only and is written from personal experience and opinion we are not giving active advice.
You should always seek the advice and support of mental health professionals if you have queries about your health.