{"id":438,"date":"2023-05-22T00:12:28","date_gmt":"2023-05-22T00:12:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/integrativemedicine.org\/go\/?p=438"},"modified":"2024-06-27T00:24:45","modified_gmt":"2024-06-27T00:24:45","slug":"what-is-hypnotherapy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/integrativemedicine.org\/go\/what-is-hypnotherapy\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Hypnotherapy?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Forbes
\n22-5-2023
\nSource hyperlink<\/a><\/p>\n

What Is Hypnotherapy?<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re familiar with the terms \u201chypnotherapy\u201d or \u201chypnosis,\u201d much of what you know may come from its stereotypical portrayal in movies and television as a tool used to control someone, often for malicious intent. However, much of this portrayal is grounded in myths\u2014in fact, experts have been using hypnosis to help treat medical conditions since the late 1700s.<\/p>\n

Hypnotherapy is a mind-body therapy that uses hypnosis\u2014a mental state of heightened attention, reduced awareness of the immediate environment and enhanced willingness to accept suggestions\u2014to manage health issues like chronic pain, obesity, bedwetting and side effects of cancer treatments.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what you need to know about hypnotherapy.
\nHypnotherapy Definition
\nHypnotherapy is a therapy that uses hypnosis to help treat and manage psychological and physical health issues.<\/p>\n

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), hypnosis is \u201ca state of consciousness involving focused attention and reduced peripheral awareness characterized by an enhanced capacity for response to suggestion.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another way to think of hypnosis is \u201cnothing more than a naturally focused state you may find yourself in several times a day,\u201d explains Michael Pulman, a U.K.-based clinical hypnotherapist. \u201cIf you have found yourself daydreaming while driving or so engrossed in a book so that you can vividly see and almost hear the characters,\u201d you\u2019ve experienced hypnosis, continues Pulman.<\/p>\n

Hypnotherapy can help certain people overcome mind and body-related issues, claims Pulman. While the mechanisms of action around hypnotherapy are still being studied, recent research points to a combination of biological, psychological and social factors that work together to create a helpful hypnotherapy session. A few variables that might facilitate a successful session include higher levels of theta bandwidth activity in the brain for the client (which are brain waves that experts think are important for learning, and which occur when we are sleeping, dreaming or in a very relaxed state), motivation of the client, rapport between the client and the hypnotherapist and the client\u2019s expectations of the session[1].<\/p>\n

During hypnotherapy, a hypnotherapist\u2014a trained professional who is qualified to practice hypnosis\u2014helps a person get into a state where they can focus, ignore distractions, listen and hopefully accept suggestions such as feeling comfort, relaxation, or numbness rather than pain. According to experts, these suggestions can help treat physical and mental health issues like stress, addiction, chronic pain and anxiety disorders.<\/p>\n

People can also learn to put themselves under hypnosis with the guidance of their hypnotherapist.<\/p>\n

What Can Hypnotherapy Help With?
\nA non-exhaustive list of health issues hypnotherapy may help, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), includes:<\/p>\n

Obesity
\nBedwetting
\nSide effects of cancer treatments
\nIrritable bowel syndrome
\nSkin conditions like warts and psoriasis
\nHigh blood pressure
\nMigraine headache
\nPain
\nInsomnia
\nDepression
\nEating disorders
\nPosttraumatic stress disorder
\nUnhealthy habits like smoking
\nWhile research is still ongoing around the benefits of hypnosis, a few recent studies do add credibility to the WHO\u2019s list.<\/p>\n

When it comes to anxiety, a 2019 abstract of a meta-analysis found that while a majority of individuals treated with hypnotherapy did seem to feel improvements around their anxiety, the method was more effective in reducing anxiety when used in combination with other psychological treatments than when used alone[2].<\/p>\n

A 2018 review analyzing how helpful hypnotherapy might be when it comes to sleep outcomes found that 58% of the studies available indicated that hypnosis provided benefits to individuals dealing with sleep disturbances[3].<\/p>\n

Studies around obesity and hypnotherapy remain scarce, but according to a review from 2021, there is evidence that hypnotherapy may be useful in promoting weight reduction, improving eating habits and even increasing physical activity\u2014although researchers caution that further research needs to be done before any conclusions can be made.<\/p>\n

Can Anyone Be Hypnotized?
\nAnyone can be hypnotized, according to Keylee Miracle, a double-board certified hypnotherapist based in New York City and creator of the NeuroIntuitive Method. \u201cWe all have a parasympathetic nervous system and when we sleep deeply, we access this part of ourselves. Any good hypnotherapist or hypnotist relies on consent, so willingness matters, but mechanics-wise, absolutely. Treatment resistance can happen but has always been overcome in my experience,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n

However, research shows that the idea of universal susceptibility may be less accurate, according to Daryl Appleton, M.Ed., a psychotherapist, executive coach and host of the Feelings & Other F Words podcast. based in New York and New England. In fact, some studies suggest only about 10% to 15% percent of the population is highly hypnotizable[5], which means they respond easily to hypnotic suggestion, she adds.<\/p>\n

Generally, \u201cthe efficacy of hypnotherapy depends on the participant, with some people being more prone or open to suggestion than others,\u201d says Alex Dimitriu, M.D., double board-certified physician in psychiatry and sleep medicine, and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine and BrainfoodMD. Around 80% of people, Dr. Dimitriu explains, are \u2018medium\u2019 for hypnotizability\u2014meaning they\u2019re somewhere between highly hypnotizable and not hypnotizable at all\u2014and this tends to remain constant over their lifetime.<\/p>\n

Does Hypnotherapy Work?
\nHypnotherapy is a powerful and effective method to help people overcome mind and body-related issues, says Pulman. And it does have a long history, as it was utilized as early as the 1700s to assist in the treatment of various medical conditions.<\/p>\n

One of the main reasons for its success is that unlike other forms of therapy such as counseling and psychotherapy, hypnotherapy works directly with the subconscious part of the mind,\u201d claims Pulman.<\/p>\n

However, \u201clike most therapies, hypnotherapy is not a one size fits all approach,\u201d Pulman continues, explaining that in his practice, clients who find hypnotherapy useful tend to:<\/p>\n

Display an open mind towards each session
\nShows a belief in their ability to be successful at hypnosis
\nCommit and take action to change
\nWhile the successfulness of hypnotherapy seems to be at least partially connected to how open a participant is to its benefits, a 2022 study on pediatric patients in a children\u2019s hospital found that hypnotherapy appeared to help create \u201can overall improvement in symptoms\u201d in 76% of more than 200 individuals with complex symptom disorders[6]. However, as authors of the study point out, hypnotherapy was \u201can add-on treatment\u201d in addition to other clinical treatments, which means that the results may not be due solely or primarily to the effects of hypnotherapy.<\/p>\n

How to Find a Hypnotherapist
\nIf you\u2019re interested in trying hypnotherapy for yourself, there are a few things experts say you should keep in mind when seeking out a hypnotherapist, who could charge anywhere from $50 to more than $200 depending on location and practitioner.<\/p>\n

Check Their Qualifications
\nIt\u2019s important to look for trained professionals with qualifications from respected educational institutions, says Pulman. Two examples of education institutions include the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis and The American College of Hypnotherapy. Also, find out if hypnotherapist candidates have regular, continuing professional development and are a member of a reputable regulating body, such as the The National Hypnotherapy Society.<\/p>\n

Because hypnosis and hypnotherapy are not heavily regulated, when an individual has accreditations from respected institutions, \u201cyou know that they\u2019ve been through a fairly rigorous process; they\u2019ve taken courses and submitted a certain number of testimonials and client case studies to get accredited by these institutions,\u201d explains U.K. based hypnotherapist Robert Brennan.<\/p>\n

Consider Trusted Testimonials
\nReviews and testimonials from people you know and trust are a big deal because of the popularity of hypnotherapy, says Miracle. Asking around your social circle is one way to find out if anyone has worked with a trusted practitioner.<\/p>\n

Interview Possible Hypnotherapists
\nIt\u2019s always a good idea to talk to a hypnotherapist candidate to see if you feel good about them and can have a positive rapport, says Pulman.<\/p>\n

Having conversations about pricing and refund policies are also a good idea, explains Brennan. What happens if you don\u2019t like the services provided or feel like it\u2019s not helping you?<\/p>\n

\u201cAs with all working relationships, do not be afraid to interview several therapists before settling on the right one,\u201d advises Dr. Dimitriu. \u201cIt\u2019s essential to feel comfortable and understood and to have faith in the relationship.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stacey Litam, Ph.D. also contributed to this article.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Forbes 22-5-2023 Source hyperlink What Is Hypnotherapy? If you\u2019re familiar with the terms \u201chypnotherapy\u201d or \u201chypnosis,\u201d much of what you know may come from its stereotypical portrayal in movies and television as a tool used to control someone, often for … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-438","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-hypno"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/integrativemedicine.org\/go\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/438","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/integrativemedicine.org\/go\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/integrativemedicine.org\/go\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/integrativemedicine.org\/go\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/integrativemedicine.org\/go\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=438"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/integrativemedicine.org\/go\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/438\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":439,"href":"https:\/\/integrativemedicine.org\/go\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/438\/revisions\/439"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/integrativemedicine.org\/go\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=438"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/integrativemedicine.org\/go\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=438"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/integrativemedicine.org\/go\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=438"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}