Examples of conditions Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy can be useful for and an overview of the approach itself
Hypnosis
There are many myths about hypnosis that usually stem from fictional accounts such as movies and stage hypnosis. A therapist will never try to manipulate you or make you do things that you are not willing to do - this is not even possible, nor would it be helpful!
Once you are hypnotised, you are fully in control and aware of everything that is happening around you. Hypnosis can be described as a deep state of relaxation, however, being relaxed is not necessary. You are more willing to accept positive suggestions that can be used to replace negative self-talk.
In time, you will be able to use your newly learned skills to overcome situations that you would have described as difficult before you had embarked on your hypnotherapy journey.
Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy
The theoretical framework for the hypnotherapy that I apply is called cognitive behavioural therapy. It states that our emotions, thoughts and behaviour are intertwined. They influence each other and if you can change one of these elements (usually thoughts and/or behaviour), you can change the others as well. The way we think about a certain situation will determine our behaviour in that situation, how we feel about it and vice versa.
Hypnosis can be a great tool to implement this change, whether it is work related stress, social anxiety or something else where the triangle of cognition, emotion and behaviour comes into play. If you prefer not to use hypnosis as part of the therapy that is also possible.
Stress, Anxiety & Phobias
Stress is a normal part of our lives - and so are anxiety and phobias. If one or the other starts to take over your life, however, it is time to do something against it. Whether it's thoughts keeping you awake at night, causing insomnia; a fear of spiders keeping you out of your basement or a general anxiety, where you can't put your finger on the cause, cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy can be a great way to overcome these issues. You will learn to stay calm in challenging situations and apply your newly learned skills to a variety of other similar triggers.
Pain Management
Anyone who has ever been in pain, knows how overwhelming these sensations can be. If you are suffering from chronic pain, it is quite likely that your condition has taken over all aspects of your life: From your mood to your relationships and the activities you allow yourself to participate in. Unless there is a medical reason for this kind of abstinence from life, you shouldn't let pain dictate you.
Your mind is equally powerful as your body and you can learn to use it to manage your pain, regain the confidence in yourself and in your body.
Moreover, hypnosis can also be used to help you relax before and after surgery to give your healing process a boost.
Habit Change
Weight-loss, nail-biting and smoking or vaping cessation are just a few examples of the habits hypnosis can be helpful for. It surely requires some work, since you have probably been practicing these habits for many years, but it can be done! If you are willing to turn your life around and be the best version of yourself, cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy is the tool for you.
Apart from hypnosis, psycho-education is an important part of habit change. Knowing why your habits prevail and what helps to break them, will allow you to bring on long-lasting change.
Personal Development
The above mentioned issues are often intertwined. Someone who is struggling with addiction, for example, often also deals with anxiety and stress. The basis for personal development tends to be a habit change. You want to be a more successful at running? Then you need to start thinking and acting like a successful runner. This might sound like voodoo, it's not. Our minds are designed to believe what we tell ourselves. Our bodies and their actions will follow suite. Hypnosis can help you achieve the mind-set you need to live up to your full potential.