Contents
Introduction
No, hypnotherapy isn’t some kind of mind control and yes, you will be fully aware during the process. We have all seen the thrillers where a therapist shoves a swaying clock in their client’s face to make them lose control. Despite what the movies suggest, Hypnosis does not make you lose control. Instead, it empowers you by gaining control over your thoughts and emotions to overcome phobias, break bad habits and reduce stress to live a better life. Now that we’ve debunked all the myths, let’s explore the five stages of hypnosis: pre-induction consultation, induction and deepening the trance, subconscious reprogramming, reinforcing positive suggestions and post-hypnotic awareness.
How Hypnosis Works and What Does it Help With?
Before delving into the details of each stage, let us give you a brief introduction. Its process is quite simple, a hypnotist uses different techniques like verbal commands to help you enter a state of intense relaxation. In this state, your subconscious mind (where your memories and the feelings associated with them are stored) becomes accessible and receptive. This allows the therapist to provide positive recommendations and alter any negative beliefs. Hypnosis can help people with:
- Overcoming irrational fears (phobias)
- Altering bad habits (addiction, smoking, unhealthy eating behaviour, procrastination)
- Dealing with emotional pain caused by PTSD, Anxiety disorders and more
- Relieving chronic or acute physical pain caused by different medical conditions
- Soothing hyperactivity of the mind to improve focus and sleep quality
What Happens During the Five Stages of Hypnosis
Stage 1: Preparing for Hypnotherapy (Initial Consultation)
Having a consultation with your hypnotist before the actual therapy is an important part of the process. It ensures that you fully understand the process and provide relevant background information for a personalized solution.
What Happens in this Stage?
- During the consultation, you will have the hypnosis process explained to you to ensure that you feel comfortable in each step.
- The hypnotist will create a personalized solution based on the provided issue and its related details and will explain it to you in detail.
Stage 2: Entering and Deepening the Hypnotic State (Induction and Relaxation)
The actual hypnotherapy sessions begin with induction, one of the key phases of hypnosis. In this step you enter the hypnotic state also referred to as a trance-like state. To put it simply, our mind has different layers. The upper layer is your conscious mind where all your critical thinking occurs. Now, beneath the surface is your subconscious mind—a Pandora box of all your past experiences and emotions.
The constant chatter of your conscious mind makes it impossible to access the subconscious. This is where induction comes in. Using soothing techniques it quiets the conscious thoughts, allowing you to reach the subconscious which is more receptive to positive change.
Induction Techniques Used by Hypnotists
- Taking long and deep breaths
- Slowly counting backward from 10 to 1
- Fixating your attention on an object such as a candle flame
- Visualizing soothing imagery like walking in a forest through verbal commands
- Focusing on the physical sensations in your body to relax each part slowly
Stage 3: Accepting Positive Suggestions (Subconscious Reprogramming)
Among the stages of hypnosis is the subconscious reprogramming in which the actual transformation occurs. Our conscious mind has certain limitations when it comes to therapeutic solutions. However, once the hypnotic state is induced, they can be guided to alter their reaction on a deeper subconscious level.
Examples of Positive Suggestions
- For Phobias: Next time you see a spider, you will not feel scared. You will take a deep breath and remain calm. You understand that they are harmless and can’t hurt you. You feel safe and in control.
- For Altering Negative Beliefs: When you see yourself in the mirror, staring back at you will be a confident, beautiful and empowered woman. You will no longer view yourself from others’ perception as you feel confident in your own skin.
Stage 4: Reinforcing the Suggestions for Lasting Change
Affirming the positive recommendations is an important step in the stages of hypnosis. In this stage, the hypnotherapist will use visualization techniques to help you imagine a future where you have implemented positive changes in your behaviour. Through this, they ensure that you achieve lasting results.
- If a person is getting hypnotherapy for breaking bad habits such as addiction, the therapist will help them imagine a future where they are sober. For example, ‘Imagine the day you feel completely free and in control of your choices. You are happy, healthy and confident and ready to fulfil all your dreams”.
Stage 5: Returning to Full Awareness (Emergence)
The last stage in hypnotherapy is emergence which is when your therapist will guide you out of the hypnotic state. It is very important to take this step slowly as your mind and body will take some time to adjust. A hypnotist may use the following emergence techniques;
- Verbal Commands like “you feel energized and ready to wake up”.
- Counting Upwards from 1 to 10.
- Imaginations like walking out of the forest (reversed visualization of what you imagined to enter the hypnotic state.
Wrapping it Up!
It is important for you to understand the stages of hypnosis and how they work in detail before opting for the therapy. For our readers who are searching for the best hypnotherapist in Dubai, we welcome you to Home of Wellness. Our team of therapists are certified and trained with years of experience to ensure that you get the best care. Contact us today to book your session.