As a trained, certified, and practicing hypnotherapist, my goal is to provide concrete information about hypnotherapy and how it can help you. According to the National Guild of Hypnosis, hypnotherapy is successful in treating a variety of ailments; including anxiety, addiction, insomnia, pain management and stress-related illnesses. Some women use it to relieve the pain of giving birth. Many studies have shown that clients undergoing hypnotherapy may be able to lower their blood pressure or increase their immune-system function, both of which would be beneficial for a woman trying to get pregnant or lower their stress levels. Women may also be able to balance their hormone levels, which could increase chances of pregnancy. Another benefit includes reducing unhealthy lifestyle patterns that could decrease fertility in both men and women.
The act of hypnosis is guiding someone into a deep trance-like state. What is a trance like state? I describe it as a deep state of relaxation, focus, and concentration. Most of us go in and out of a trance like state quite often. If you have ever zoned out while driving your car, reading a book, looking at movie, or daydreaming, you have been in a trace like state. A big myth is that the hypnotherapist can control your mind and make you do anything such as quack like a duck for example. This is simply not true; it just can’t happen.
In the trance state, you are always in control. You can hear everything around you, and you can’t be forced to do anything you do not want to do. You will remember the entire session; nothing is a mystery. The hypnotherapist will guide you into a trance like state by asking you to relax nearly every muscle in your body, starting from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet. This is called progressive relaxation.
To fully describe hypnosis, your subconscious mind is the holder of information of nearly everything that has happened in your life, the good and bad stuff. We can’t bring all the bad stuff we have ever experienced to our conscious minds because it would be too overwhelming, and in some cases trauma inducing. Sometimes, the bad stuff from the past can linger over to our conscious mind and we can’t cope. Therefore, depression, anxiousness, and negative self-talk kicks in. This can have a profound impact on our mental health.
The hypnotherapist can help pinpoint the root cause of habits and thought patterns that are stifling us. When you enter a state of hypnosis, your mind is highly suggestible, and you can begin to change the negative thought patterns that are holding you back. I like using the metaphor of a vacuum cleaner. Through the vacuum cleaner’s large suction cup, those negative feelings can be vacuumed away out of your mind and replaced with how you want to feel; whole and positive about your life and your future.