“Mom, Dad, Meet Hypnotherapy”: How to Introduce Hypnosis to Loved Ones

Although it is growing more as a legitimate means of treatment, hypnotherapy is still considered to be a foreign concept to many. There are those who still see hypnosis as a mere parlour trick to make people cluck like chickens uncontrollably. Therefore, it can be difficult to explain to those skeptics that, “Yes indeed, I do have hypnotherapy sessions and it helps me a great deal.”

If you would like some help to explain your sessions to loved ones, consider this a good starting point. You can share this article as a way of saying, “Mom and Dad, meet hypnotherapy.” Read further to best learn how to really introduce hypnosis and its benefits to your loved ones.

Myths Debunked

Did you know that hypnosis was used as early as 1791 in medicine? At that time, doctors performed dental procedures on hypnotized patients without anesthetic. 

It was when hypnosis fell into the hands of “entertainers” when it became seen as a form of trickery, as hypnotists put willing volunteers into trances making them do weird things. 

Professor David Spiegel of Stanford University says, “Hypnosis is a naturally occurring state of intense concentration coupled with deep relaxation.”  The biggest myth is thinking you will be forced to do things you do not want to do while under hypnosis. It is the complete opposite. Hypnosis puts you into a trance-like state of deep relaxation, a heightened state of awareness as you are concentrating on the voice of your hypnotherapist. Hypnosis strengthens the things you want to do, through the power of suggestion of your hypnotherapist. 

The 3 “What” Questions When it Comes to Hypnotherapy

What is Hypnosis?

Simply put, hypnosis is a technical term for daydreaming. Many people will go into a deeply relaxing daydreaming state without even noticing. Technically, hypnosis is something you have already been doing your whole life, from as early as age 5.

During this state of hypnosis, your conscious mind (or monkey-mind, where constant chatter takes place) becomes suppressed for your subconscious mind to reveal itself. 

What is the Subconscious Mind?

The subconscious mind is quite powerful. Think of it like a giant storage room inside your brain for your memory with an unlimited amount of space, permanently remembering everything that has ever happened to you. The subconscious mind stores all your beliefs, habits, memories, dreams, fears and so much more.

Hypnotherapy can help people remember events that happened to them, even from 50 years ago. It is your subconscious mind that helps to do so, obeying the command the conscious mind sends to it. In hypnotherapy you can have recall before the age of 5 years, these memories are not accessible to the conscious mind. 

What happens when a person enters a state of hypnosis?

When in hypnosis, the subconscious mind becomes open to suggestion, your hypnotherapist can suggest ideas to you, like lifestyle changes or new concepts. The subconscious brain picks these ideas up and accepts them in the subconscious mind replacing old patterns. 

Our analytical, logical left-side of the brain turns off and our non-analytical, “go-with-the-flow” right-side of the brain switches on during hypnotherapy. This means that the subconscious mind can be engaged to take the hypnotherapist’s suggestions so the patient’s behaviour and physical state may change in day-to-day life. 

Let’s say for example you have a fear of spiders. Consciously, you have tried everything to try and deal with this fear. Your subconscious mind, however, has kept this fear stored away for next time you encounter a spider. Hypnotherapy can reprogram your subconscious mind to end this deep-rooted fear. 

What Can Hypnotherapy Do for Me?

Hypnotherapy has seen much success in many fields, from stress management to quitting smoking to dealing with phobias and much more. There is research which shows how hypnotherapy can help control pain levels. During hypnosis, your brain releases endorphins—our body’s natural painkillers. This is one reason HypnoBirthing has become popular for mothers preparing for labour who wish to go drug-free during birth. 

Hypnosis can help with overcoming addictions such as smoking and alcoholism. It can help conquer problems that affect daily lives from eating disorders to stuttering, panic attacks, OCD, and stress-related problems such as IBS, insomnia, and teeth grinding. 

If you still are not convinced, perhaps you wish to see for yourself. Talk to someone who has experienced it firsthand. Do research. Watch videos. Talk to a hypnotherapist. Sit in on a session (with permission). Or if you are brave enough, go for a session yourself. 

If you are interested in more information about hypnotherapy or wish to book a session, contact Healing Soul Hypnosis today. I can help answer any questions or concerns you may have.

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