What is Hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy, often referred to as trance therapy, rarely has anything to do with what most of us imagine it to be, and nothing like what you see in shows and on television.
These perceptions of hypnosis are often the reason why we have certain fears about it, as they suggest a loss of control or vulnerability.
Therapeutic hypnosis or trance has nothing to do with that. In hypnosis, our mind is wide awake and focused, control is unrestricted, and nothing happens against one’s own will.
Hypnosis is a very old yet modern and highly efficient form of therapy that can unleash and utilize a person’s resources and potential. In clinical hypnosis, we are able to unleash forces in trance states to overcome problems, reduce anxieties, or effect behavioral changes.
Clinical hypnosis is a scientifically recognized psychotherapeutic method that has been recognized by the Scientific Advisory Board for Psychotherapy. There are countless studies on the effectiveness of this method.
How Does Hypnotherapy Work?
The typical path into hypnosis usually leads through a so-called trance state. Through a deepened trance, our subconscious becomes open, allowing us to access hidden aspects and be more receptive to new experiences. By communicating with the subconscious, we can initiate processes and bring about changes.
Perhaps you have already experienced guided imagery and are familiar with this state of deep inner immersion. In hypnotherapy, we also work with these elements to achieve a profound state of inner immersion.
However, I complement these with targeted interventions that are tailored to your individual situation, your specific issue, or your desired solutions.
Therapeutic hypnosis always begins with at least one preliminary consultation, which serves for us to get to know each other. We discuss your personal concerns and the goal of hypnotherapy, and perhaps even prepare for the actual therapy with an initial trance experience.
Depending on your specific needs or topic, one or more sessions may be necessary. We will also discuss this in the first session.
When Do We Use Hypnotherapy?
There are numerous applications for clinical hypnosis – from quitting smoking, alleviating exam anxiety, stress reduction, or sleep disorders, to releasing inner blockages or for use during dental appointments.
In my practice, I particularly utilize hypnotherapy for:
- Acute Crisis or Stress Situations
- Chronic Stress and Burnout
- Anxiety or Panic States
- For Coping with Severe or Life-Threatening Illnesses
- For Coping with Experiences of Loss
For patients with severe acute or chronic illnesses, the opportunity for support through hypnotherapy often arises from the holistic treatment approach.
With hypnosis, we can effectively reduce stress, overcome crisis situations, and find ways to cope with difficult or challenging experiences. This also directly supports and strengthens the immune system, thus forming part of a holistic concept.
Should you feel that hypnotherapy can help you, or if you wish to explore its application, please feel free to contact us.
Hypnosis in Cancer Therapy
There are reputable and recognized psycho- and hypnotherapists who acknowledge hypnosis as a valuable component of complementary therapy, as demonstrated by this quote from Dr. Eberwein, a recognized psychotherapist from Berlin:
“Through hypnosis and self-hypnosis, factors can be influenced that have an impact on the course of cancer and cancer healing. It would, of course, be presumptuous and highly unprofessional to claim that one could directly cure cancer through hypnosis or self-hypnosis. Cancer is generally a severe and often dramatically progressing disease, where invasive medical treatments with all their side effects are often unavoidable. These can be meaningfully supplemented by methods of complementary medicine and psychotherapy. Here, hypnosis and self-hypnosis, as well as imagination and meditation techniques, can be meaningfully integrated into the therapy concept.” 1
Even in psycho-oncology, as a recognized scientific discipline, hypnosis is applied as a means of communication in therapy.
Hypnosis and Pain
Modern hypnotherapy can often offer pain patients a highly effective approach to both uncovering the emotional causes of pain and controlling the pain.
Pain control is even one of the oldest applications of hypnosis. In a trance state, it is possible to reduce or even eliminate pain sensitivity. Through hypnosis, the perception and control of pain can also be altered, which can lead to long-term improvements.
By learning self-hypnosis, you also acquire tools to easily integrate into your daily life. This type of control over one’s own pain is often experienced as very helpful by patients. It returns control over the pain to those affected, reduces feelings of helplessness, and can sustainably improve their quality of life.
The high effectiveness of hypnotherapy for pain treatment is well-researched and proven by numerous studies. The effects are usually long-lasting.
Sources:
1 https://www.werner-eberwein.de/kann-man-mit-hypnose-krebs-heilen/