What Do You Need to Know About Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is a widely recognized therapeutic modality, with effective healing in the shortest time. Research shows that hypnotherapy has proved beneficial for numerous psychological and physical conditions; however, this intervention still needs to be more clarified. This blog will help you understand topics associated with hypnotherapy. The topics include the difference between hypnosis and hypnotherapy, a little bit of its history, benefits, and the types of professionals who are safely and credential capable of delivering hypnotherapy.

What is the difference between hypnosis and hypnotherapy?

Many people think hypnosis and hypnotherapy are synonyms; however, they are very different terms and not well distinguished in the scientific literature.   

Hypnosis is a relaxation and concentration method that involves inducing the individual into a relaxed state and then offering relief from symptoms. Those suggestions may be used for smoking cessation or decrease anxiety. However, when the hypnosis intervention works, it tends to last for a short period, as it does not resolve the root cause of the issues.  

“It is simple to learn hypnosis: the art is learning hypnotherapy.”

Hypnotherapy is a powerful, safe, in-depth, and short-term therapeutic modality. Hypnotherapy utilizes hypnosis to induce individuals to the subconscious mind, where the emotions are located. Then, the hypnotherapeutic work will take the individual to access the root cause of the problem, generally in childhood. Although the client is in a very relaxed state, they are conscious, aware, and in control throughout the hypnotherapy session. 

Many mental, physical, or relational issues may be rooted in early traumas. Individuals who experience trauma, especially in early age, may develop negative patterns of emotions and behavior, which might impair their life and health in their adulthood. During hypnotherapy, it is possible to access the root of the trauma and effectively extinguish it. Once individuals are healed from their trauma, they can develop new mindsets, coping skills, and consequently improve their health.

History of hypnosis and hypnotherapy

Hypnosis is one of the world’s oldest known sciences, evidenced by Egyptian hieroglyphics found on tombs in 3,000 BC. By the late 1800s, several physicians (including Freud) started to give hypnosis a medical approach. In 1940, hypnotherapy became an utterly scientific method. Its popularity increased when more efficient treatments were necessary for war survivors. These soldiers often presented with several mental health issues, such as PTSD, neurosis, OCD, and hysterical depression, among other conditions. 

What are the benefits of hypnotherapy?

Numerous studies show that hypnotherapy can heal several psychological conditions, including trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, grief, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and addictions. Hypnotherapy can be an ally for several medical conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, pain, smoking cessation, depression, etc. 

Hypnotherapy also helps in codependency, sexual, emotional, and physical abuse, grief and loss, phase of life problems, religious and spiritual matters, acculturation problems, occupational problems, shame, self-judgment, self-blame, self-criticism, self-sabotage. The outcome with hypnotherapy may foster a sense of empowerment in individuals, increasing self-esteem, self-confidence, wellbeing, and quality of life. 

What are the steps in hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy consists of three distinct stages of treatment: deep relaxation, connection with negative recollections, and strengthening individuals’ personalities. When I initiate a hypnotherapy session, I make sure that my client feels safe and confident.

Before the hypnotherapeutic work, I will hear their story, negative emotions, self-limiting thoughts and identify the most relevant negative emotion during that session. Then I induce my client into deep relaxation to access their subconscious mind. In the subconscious state, where emotions are stored, it is possible to bring unconscious contents into awareness to promote healing with proper guidance.

Once individuals are healed, negative traumas or behaviors are extinguished, and clients can resume life on a healthy level. After healing is completed, clients report a great sense of empowerment and contentment. They can move on with their lives with lots of self-confidence and self-esteem.

What kind of professionals can offer hypnotherapy and hypnosis?

Hypnotists are not therapists nor trained to deliver hypnotherapy. Hypnotists should ONLY offer Hypnosis services; they should NOT offer hypnotherapy. Due to the complexity of the hypnotherapy practice, it should be delivered ONLY by licensed professionals with certification in hypnotherapy (not hypnosis), preferably with an advanced certificate. The advanced certification in hypnotherapy entails several hundred training and supervision hours. It gives therapists more proficiency to deal with clients’ in-depth and complex issues. Some complex problems include dissociation, shock, womb, or past lives issues. It is vital to consult expert hypnotherapists to navigate clients’ problems safely rather than get retraumatized.  

I have more than 500 hundred training hours in hypnotherapy, and I was healed using this incredible therapeutic intervention. My personal experience, along with numerous specializations, has helped me to develop more sophisticated hypnotherapeutic interventions and, consequently, heal hundreds of individuals in my couple of decades of clinical experience.

I hope this helps you to understand better how hypnotherapy works. If you want to learn how hypnotherapy can help you, please schedule a free 15-minute phone or video consultation here. 

About the author:

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Dr. Noelia Leite is an integrative psychotherapist and holds a doctoral degree in mind-body medicine. She practices as a licensed marriage and family therapist and holds advanced certifications as a clinical hypnotherapist and yoga therapist.

She has lived, studied, and worked worldwide, being a speaker at conferences and collaborating in multiple peer review articles and magazines. Her eclectic and holistic clinical approach blends innovative scientific interventions, healing practices, and spiritual and philosophical traditions.

Her private practice is located in Miami, FL, and she also sees clients online. Her ultimate goal is to help individuals, couples, and professionals break free from any negative ties that may stop them from living their lives to the fullest.