What is Hypnotherapy?
Have you ever wanted to enter a state of deep relaxation when trying to tackle a challenging problem?
Hypnotherapy provides the ability to do this and involves working with a trained professional to enter this hypnotic state. Hypnotherapy allows you to hone your concentration on specific topics and limit all other distractions around you. The goal of hypnosis is to quiet your conscious mind and slow your brain's function, allowing you to modify perceptions and work through the problems at hand. From managing anxiety and overcoming phobias to breaking addictive habits, hypnotherapy can help with a wide range of issues. Hypnotherapy is very useful for identifying where your problem came from and the triggers associated with it. Your mind being in a calmed state, allows you to open up in a safe environment free from distractions and help your therapist identify triggers. A lot can be accomplished when your brain is slowed down and you focus on a problem. Studies show that some areas of your brain have heightened and reduced activity during hypnosis.
For instance, the dorsal anterior cingulate, a part of your brain which plays a role in error detection and attention regulation, becomes less active. The science behind hypnosis is not fully understood, but what’s known is that this deep relaxation can make a meaningful difference in many people's lives. There are a lot of misconceptions about hypnotherapy. Some common misconceptions include that you are unconscious during the session, your therapist takes control over your mind, and that hypnosis is just not real. These are all untrue. You are awake during sessions and able to fully control your body. Instead of being asleep as some people think, you are put in a hypnotic state of deep relaxation that quiets your mind. Hypnotherapy is well suited for people of all ages making it a great option for people who have specific problems they would like fixed.
A lot can be accomplished when your brain is slowed down and you focus on a problem.
The ideal setting where hypnotherapy takes place is somewhere with no physical distractions around you. It should preferably be a quiet environment where you are comfortable and can relax yourself to the best of your ability. The first step in a typical hypnotherapy session starts with basic breathing exercises that slow the heart rate and encourage muscle relaxation. Next, the therapist will guide you through peaceful calming imagery, using phrases like, “Imagine yourself sinking deeper into a warm, supportive bed.” The third stage can vary depending on your symptoms, but generally, the therapist will ask about the origins of your symptoms and how they are currently affecting you. An example of something that could be done to help you quit an addiction is to identify your triggers and then work to exhibit a better response. Hypnotherapy is visual and allows you to create pictures in your head that encourage growth. The final stage is called emergence and is the process of awakening from hypnosis.
Hypnotherapy is yet another type of therapy that may work for you or not, but attending a few sessions of Kelowna hypnotherapy could be very effective in reducing your symptoms and creating positive change in your life.
Your “easy to talk to therapist”
Kimberly Castle, Master Therapeutic Counsellor
Our Team
***Hypnotherapy services offered by Petra Nielsen
Kimberly Castle is a Registered Counsellor with a private practice in beautiful Kelowna, BC. She focuses on Kelowna Counselling Solutions to empower individuals in all areas of their life. In her practice, she and her team work with individuals on various topics, including trauma, self-esteem, and counselling for children.
Blog contribution by Olson Russello, an undergraduate student at the University of Washington
