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Have you ever felt fear so paralyzing that you had to cancel your plans? Have you ever been stopped in your tracks, wondering how you were going to survive the sheer panic running through your body?
As we go through our daily lives, thousands of thoughts dictate decisions, feelings, reactions, and responses. If just a few of these thoughts come from intense fears and phobias, to call living life without debilitating anxiety a challenge would be a huge understatement. What would have been a nice day at the park could have been derailed by one unexpected moment.
I'm beyond pleased to report that many people have renewed emotional control with the use of hypnosis. They have more freedom, power over stressful circumstances, and much-needed peace.
Hypnosis has reduced and even eliminated triggers that used to box them into a life full of limitations with little to no enjoyment. But how does this form of therapy work to eradicate triggers and their bedmates, fear, anxiety, and phobic episodes?
Understanding the Nature of Fears and Phobias
Fears and phobias are rooted in the subconscious mind where memories of past experiences are stored. Traumatic events and irrational beliefs are often accessed when a seemingly similar situation occurs, and sometimes for no apparent reason.
Neural pathways, the body's nerve cell super highways, send messages through electrical and chemical signals. They get stronger with regular, repeated occurrences. Over time, frequently used pathways can automate thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. Think of it like a well-used walking trail.
The subconscious mind seeks to protect us from what it perceives as imminent threats. And of course, neural pathways are the mode of transport for protection efforts. So, when a triggering event happens, the subconscious boots up the GPS, hits the highway, and signals the sympathetic nervous system to prepare for oncoming danger. The resulting physiological responses range from rapid heartbeat to a full-blown panic attack. We're simply doing what we know how to do based on how our brains become wired over time. The subconscious mind influences conscious choices and decisions based on how it's wired.
How Hypnosis Rewires the Subconscious Mind
Hypnosis is the practice of inducing a relaxed, trance-like state where the conscious mind is bypassed and the subconscious mind can be transformed for the better. Since fears and phobias begin in the subconscious mind, guided hypnotic sessions can replace irrational fears with empowering beliefs.
A hypnotherapist trained in the treatment of phobias has extensive knowledge of how to effectively get to the root of intense fears and disarm them. Positive, truth-affirming suggestions along with desired states of being are established as new roots from which powerful, balanced messages begin to transmit.
When the subconscious mind is "rewired" in this way, new neural pathways reside where outdated phobic reactions once lived. A sense of wellbeing and and safety begins to take hold, and personal power is the driver of daily endeavors.
It is important to note that while hypnosis sessions are facilitated by a professional who introduces suggestions to liberate the subconscious, the client is the one in control. Suggestions must first be accepted in order to integrate and become new neural pathways.
Success Stories and Scientific Evidence
There are countless stories of people overcoming fears of public speaking, the fear of heights, social phobias and many other conditions after completing a series of hypnosis sessions. Additionally, the use of hypnosis in combination with regression, exposure therapy, and CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) have also proven to be highly successful methods of treatment.
Claire's story is an example of how the use of hypnosis helped her to calm a severe driving phobia. I also recall the case of a young girl who had to be held down by two adults in order to receive injections. She can now remain calm as she receives her flu shot each year.
One of my clients came to me with debilitating fear and anxiety regarding romantic relationships due to traumatic events she experienced as a child. After three sessions, she regained her confidence, and her self-esteem blossomed. She garnered her ability to open her heart, free of anxiety, and explore new romantic possibilities while staying fully in her power.
Scientific evidence has greatly increased awareness and made inroads towards more individuals welcoming hypnosis as viable method to combat phobic triggers. Studies conducted for various conditions of deep-seated fear and phobias have shown promising results with the majority of cases reporting positive long-term outcomes. Although hypnosis has been in existence since the late 18th century, new research, developments, and more access to mental health professionals have brought it to the forefront as an effective, lasting means of treatment.
Step-by-Step Guide to a Hypnosis Session for Phobias
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Discovery Call
The purpose of a discovery call is simple: You want to know if what the hypnotherapist has to offer will meet your needs. Do you feel comfortable with them? Is the scope of their experience and expertise acceptable? Are their plans of action and session packages suitable for what you want to accomplish?
You will discuss how to achieve your goal, which is to target the origin of specific fears and phobic episodes and restore balance, harmony and peace for good. The hypnotherapist will outline a custom treatment plan based on the information you provide, and you will either decide then or afterward whether or not this is the practitioner for you.
The Session
Once you have chosen your hypnotherapist, it's time for your first session. Intake is the initial segment where you recap the form you completed before the appointment. An intake form usually asks for basic personal information and details regarding the targeted challenges.
When I discuss the issues that brought a client to me, I ask, "What will be your new way of living? What will life be like?" I cannot overstate the importance of imagining new habits of thought, actions, and responses to stimuli that will take the place of the ones that no longer serve you. This lays the groundwork for new super highways for your brain!
Once the intake is completed, you will be induced into hypnosis. Induction is the process of guiding you down the path to whole-body and nervous system relaxation. Progressive relaxation is a very commonly used induction. This involves relaxing each area of the body, one at a time, from the head to the toes. Breathing is slowed, the heart rate is lowered slightly, and brain wave activity shifts into a different state. There are many forms of induction, and your hypnotherapist will choose one perfectly suited to you.
If you're feeling a bit more relaxed as you read this, you can see how this gentle, non-invasive technique can be useful to tap into your innate power to heal, and you're doing it on your own. Feel free to imagine what a session would be like as you read on.
After deep relaxation is achieved, you are more attuned to the voice of your hypnotherapist. This allows you to fully integrate the techniques they will employ. The use of positive suggestion and visualization are just a few tools that may be utilized as you co-create desired outcomes. Remember how I ask clients what their new way of living will be? This is where the truth of who you are and how you want to live are activated and cultivated as your new root system.
You will then be brought back to your full awareness. This is typically achieved by several statements or counting from one to five. Since hypnosis encourages deep relaxation, you will be allowed to take your time before trying to get up and move around. Your session will wrap up with a brief discussion which may include scheduling your next hypnosis appointment. You may also have check-ins and homework before the next session.
Common Concerns About Hypnosis Addressed
- Loss of Control: You are always conscious and in control during hypnosis, despite depictions of people on stage being made to act in ways they normally would not. Hypnosis is a heightened state of focus, but you can still reject suggestions that don't align with your values.
- Memory of the Session: Clients usually remember what goes on during a hypnosis session. You are always conscious and aware, unless you get so relaxed that you fall asleep! Falling asleep is not a bad thing; it means you really allowed yourself to relax. Your practitioner will gently rouse you to continue the therapy.
- Revealing Personal Secrets: Hypnosis doesn't make you talk about anything you don't want to share. Though you're in hypnosis, you are still in complete control. You can choose to stay silent and keep private information to yourself.
- Getting Stuck in Hypnosis: Since you are in a natural state of relaxation, you can come out of hypnosis at any time. Even if your hypnotherapist didn't prompt you back into a fully awakened state, you would naturally come back on your own. Some clients may even need to take a restroom break before the session ends, and this is perfectly normal. After the break, your therapist will induce you back into hypnosis and finish the session.
Long-Term Benefits of Hypnosis for Phobias
Unlike some modalities which focus on managing symptoms, hypnosis for fears and phobias takes on the mission of rewiring the brain. When the brain is rewired and new neural pathways replace old ones, a more balanced, empowered, new you comes forth. Hypnosis treats the root cause of the phobia, rendering it obsolete. Once the root cause is addressed, the reversal of triggers is permanent in most cases.
Improved quality of life is another major benefit of this therapy. Freedom to travel, ease of public speaking and enjoying social situations are a few examples of how hypnosis can have life-changing impact.
Other long-term hypnosis benefits include:
- Reduction in Phobic Reactions: Because the root cause of the fear has been addressed, people have reported a greater sense of control in the face of previous triggers, and they're able to participate in activities they once avoided.
- Emotional Resilience: Since you are taught how to manage your fear responses, the tools you acquire allow you to easily manage stress and anxiety in all other areas of your life.
- Improved Physical Health: A byproduct of hypnotherapy is the reduction of physical symptoms associated with phobias. Lower levels of adrenaline, cortisol and norepinephrine in the body leads to tremendous long-term health benefits.
Exploring Hypnosis for Personal Growth
Perhaps you're wondering how hypnosis could help you or someone you know, and if either you or they could finally be free of a lingering fear. Wellbeing apps like Aura offer extensive selections of qualified professionals as well as audio tracks that allow users to experience hypnosis at home.
You can explore hypnosis for yourself by listening to tracks like these:
Release Negativity and Fear for Deep Sleep
Mindful Hypnosis Serene Sleep in Minutes
Self-Hypnosis is another option to consider as an entry point to collaborating with your subconscious mind. It can be useful in situations when you're preparing for something you find especially stressful.
Breaking free from limitations is possible. Imagine what you could accomplish if fear no longer held you back. Take one step today and invest in your future well-being.
I have one final question.... What will life be like?
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