The Myths about Hypnotherapy

Let’s Talk About Hypnotherapy: Your Brain’s Refresh Button

Hypnotherapy

Picture your brain as a giant library, with rows and rows of neatly organised shelves filled with books. Each book holds information - memories, beliefs, habits, and learned behaviours. Now, imagine if some of those books got filed in the wrong place, or worse, the wrong books got written in the first place. Maybe it’s a story about how you’re “not good enough”, or a belief that spiders are secretly plotting world domination. These “wrong” files can hold you back, make you anxious, or leave you stuck in unhelpful patterns.

That’s where hypnotherapy comes in - a way to dig into that mental library, re-organise the shelves, and re-write the stories that aren’t serving you anymore. And the best part? It’s all about working with your brain, not against it.

What is Hypnotherapy, Anyway?

Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic tool that uses a relaxed, focused state of mind - often called a trance - to access your subconscious brain. Now, don’t think of trance as some spooky, out-of-body experience. It’s more like being so absorbed in a good book or daydream that the outside world fades into the background. You’re still awake and aware, but your conscious mind (the one that’s constantly overthinking and analysing) takes a step back, allowing your subconscious to step into the spotlight.

Why is that important? Because your subconscious is where all the juicy stuff lives - your core beliefs, habits, fears, and even memories you don’t consciously think about. It’s also where those “wrong” stories get stuck, and hypnotherapy is like a key to unlock that part of your brain.

How Does It Work?

When you’re in this relaxed state, your brain becomes highly receptive to new ideas. This isn’t about brainwashing or mind control. Instead, it’s about gently suggesting new, healthier ways of thinking and helping your brain let go of the old stuff that’s holding you back. By the way, your subconscious is like a bodyguard, if what I tried to get you to do/think went fundamentally against your core principles your subconscious would throw it out.

Here’s how it works in a nutshell:

1. Relaxation: A hypnotherapist guides you into a calm, focused state. Think of it as deep meditation or that dreamy feeling just before you fall asleep.

2. Exploration: Once you’re relaxed, the hypnotherapist helps you explore the thoughts, memories, or beliefs that are causing problems.

3. Ideo-Motor Responses (finger responses): The way I work is that I programme the client’s body to react to my questions with their fingers - i.e. the right index finger for yes, and the left index finger for no. This is incredibly simple to do and once the body is used to answering in this way, I start to get better answers (less conscious).

4. Re-writing the Story: Encouraging the mind to see the particular situation in a different way, or to accept, and not fight what took place. This can then bring in a sense of peace and will mean that the subconscious will correct the impact of other similar incidents.

5. Integration: After the session, your brain starts processing the new information and incorporating it into your everyday thinking.

How Hypnotherapy Corrects “Wrong” Information

Here’s the thing about your brain: it’s incredibly good at learning, but it’s also easily tricked! Sometimes, it holds onto inaccurate or outdated information because it thinks it’s protecting you. Hypnotherapy is like a gentle nudge, saying, “Hey, brain, maybe we could look at this a different way?”

Phobias:

Maybe you’re terrified of dogs because you got nipped by one as a kid. Your brain wrote a story: “Dogs are dangerous!” Hypnotherapy can help re-visit that memory and re-frame it, teaching your brain that not all dogs are scary and that you’re safe around them.

Self-Doubt and Limiting Beliefs:

If you’ve been told, “You’re not smart enough” or “You’ll never succeed,” your brain might accept those ideas as facts, even if they’re completely false. Hypnotherapy can help uproot those beliefs and replace them with something empowering, like “I’m capable of learning and growing.”

Habits and Addictions:

Whether it’s biting your nails, procrastinating, or smoking, these behaviours often come from deeply ingrained habits. Hypnotherapy works by addressing the subconscious triggers behind those patterns and suggesting healthier alternatives.

Why Hypnotherapy Works

Your brain loves shortcuts, which is why it clings to habits and beliefs - even the bad ones. These shortcuts live in the subconscious, where your brain stores patterns to save energy. Hypnotherapy works because it speaks the language of the subconscious. It bypasses the logical, critical mind - to get to the root of the issue.

It’s like a software update for your brain. Instead of patching over problems with willpower (which usually doesn’t last), hypnotherapy changes the underlying code, making it easier for you to think, feel, and act differently.

Does It Really Work?

Yes! But like any therapy, it’s not magic. Hypnotherapy works best when you’re open to the process and ready to make changes. It’s a collaborative effort between you and the hypnotherapist. I find that, after the ‘therapy’, when I discuss what came up with the client, we can really talk through it in more detail and that in itself makes the client feel more secure about moving forward.

The Takeaway

Hypnotherapy isn’t about waving a magic wand or making you cluck like a chicken. It’s about giving your brain the tools to let go of what’s no longer serving you and embrace a healthier, more empowering way of thinking.

So, if you’ve got some mental “wrong files” that need updating - whether it’s a fear, a habit, or just a nagging belief that holds you back - hypnotherapy might just be the refresh button your brain has been waiting for.