Read on to learn more about hypnotherapy, how effective it is, and what to expect if you have a hypnosis therapy session.
What Is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a state of altered consciousness that allows for increased concentration and focus. This can facilitate therapeutic change, helping with behaviors like:
Alleviating pain Alleviating anxiety Stopping smoking
Despite how hypnosis has been portrayed in the media, it is a real and effective therapeutic tool.
How It Works
Trance-like states can occur regularly in daily life.
In a therapeutic setting, however, a trained therapist will guide you into a focused state of concentration. Once in this altered state, they will suggest visualizations related to your goal for therapy.
Once the session is complete, they will guide you back to a normal state of consciousness.
What Happens to the Brain
Research on brain imaging shows if a person is under hypnosis and visualizing an image, areas of the brain are activated as if they were in waking, conscious reality. When a person experiences physical pain or pain induced during hypnosis, the areas in the brain correlated to pain are activated.
What It Can Help With
Here are some of the conditions that can be improved or benefit from hypnotherapy:
Chronic pain Dental pain and dental phobia Irritable bowel syndrome Nausea from chemotherapy Needle-related pain and distress Depression Anxiety Weight loss/obesity Trauma Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Smoking cessation Insomnia Childbirth Palliative or end-of-life hospice care
Cost
The average cost of hypnotherapy ranges from $75 to $125 or more per session, but several sessions may be required to experience results.
Sometimes the cost may be bundled into a broader program, such as with smoking cessation or weight loss.
Insurance will sometimes cover hypnosis when treated by a licensed clinical mental health professional.
Benefits
In a study on pain, hypnosis produced up to a 42% reduction in pain.
Hypnosis offers other benefits including the following:
Reduces anxiety Improves chronic pain Reduces phobias May stop behaviors such as smoking Improves weight loss Enuresis (bedwetting) Performance anxiety (sports, test, sexual, career) Sleep disorders
Side Effects
Reported side effects from hypnosis can include:
Anxiety Headaches Dizziness Drowsiness
What to Expect
Here are some general steps to expect during your session:
Induction: The therapist will induce a hypnotic state by suggesting relaxation, which can include visualizing something soothing, calming, or pleasant. Suggestions: Suggestions usually center around your goals, such as losing the desire to smoke or reducing pain. Emerging to the present moment: When the hypnosis process is complete, the healthcare provider will bring you out of the trance-like state and back into the present moment.
Make sure to dress comfortably for your appointment, as you may need to recline during the session.
Summary
Hypnosis is a trance-like state of consciousness that makes the mind more open to suggestion. It involves inducing a person into an altered state and making suggestions influenced by their goals.
Hypnosis is helpful for many issues, including smoking cessation, weight loss, chronic pain, depression, anxiety, and more. It has been shown to be an effective addition to traditional psychotherapy.
A Word From Verywell
If you are considering hypnotherapy, it’s important to find a mental health professional who is trained in hypnosis. This will help you feel at ease during your session. Remember that if hypnotherapy is not the right choice for you, there are plenty of other therapy methods available to help.
