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Can Hypnotherapy Help With Depression?
When we become aware of where the unconscious holes in our lives exist, we can then consciously choose different neural pathways to go down.
This is the wonder and power of this incredible healing modality. It offers an effective way to look at which streets you are going down so that you do not have to keep experiencing the same pattern and pain repeatedly.
The opposite of depression is expression. It is important to feel so that you can heal. When you allow yourself be present in a state of deep relaxation with support and guidance, you give permission to that which is hiding under the surface to come out.
You get comfortable with some of your discomfort and release this from your body and your mind, thus releasing the symptom of depression from your life.
Feelings are energy. With feelings there is no way out but through. It is important to locate where these feelings live and originated so that we can be with them and let them go. Hypnotherapy offers a safe place to explore those feelings and release the charge associated with them so that you can recover the feeling of joy.
Additionally, hypnosis has shown to be beneficial for a range of mental health issues including feelings of depression, anxiety, phobias and PTSD as a result of traumatic events.
Hypnosis can be used to help clients cultivate positive changes in behavior, reduce stress levels and obtain inner peace in your daily life.
All of these effects can improve your overall quality of life through reduced pain, improved mental health and create a positive change in your life.
If you or someone you know, a friend, a family member is dealing with the issues of depression, consider consulting with a hypnotherapist.
“…depression, and major depressive disorder are the leading cause of disability in the US for people between the ages of 15 to 44.”
The subconscious mind is the gateway to the infinite, boundless power of the universe.
Definition of Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is a type of therapy that uses hypnosis, a trance-like state of deep relaxation and heightened suggestibility, to facilitate the treatment of various conditions both mentally and physically.
In a hypnosis session a trained therapist will guide a patient into a relaxed state and focused attention to specific thoughts and behaviors that are creating dis-ease in their lives.
It is from this place that verbal suggestions, imagery, and self-exploration is utilized to help a person achieve specific goals and discover positive changes that they can make to live from a place of purpose and peace.
Hypnotherapy is very effective in the treatment of certain conditions, specifically depression, because this modality allows access to the subconscious and unconscious mind. This is the part of the mind that operates below levels of conscious awareness and is responsible for controlling many of the automatic functions such as breathing and digestion.
It also plays a role in shaping our thoughts, behaviors, and beliefs, which often come from past conditioning. By tapping into this area of the brain we can get to root level patterns and behaviors that contribute to what is going on in someone’s world both physically and mentally.
Hypnosis is also an effective tool for pain control. Through hypnotherapy, the patient can gain a greater sense of control and relief from physical discomfort through self-hypnotic techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation, visualization, and body scanning.
How Hypnotherapy Works
During your first session, we will discuss your goals and go through your history and why it is that you are interested in hypnosis. In hypnotherapy, it is important to be open and willing to this process, because the more committed you are, the more receptive you will be, which ultimately will result in your success.
Under hypnosis, our minds become inviting and open to fresh ideas! This provides us with a perfect opportunity to nurture the subconscious mind through positive affirmations – which can lead to dramatic transformations in thought patterns.
Since hypnotherapy is a collaborative process, your success is in direct correlation to your participation and engagement in your own healing.
After discussing your goals and expectations, you will be invited to lie down, and the induction process will begin. This will involve guided relaxation techniques that include deep breathing, visualization, and progressive muscle relaxation.
Once you are in a trance like state, we will utilize suggestions and open-ended questions to help you to discover the root cause of what is causing the presenting issue in your life.
As you enter in this deep state of relaxation it will be easier for you to access your unconscious mind. Your unconscious mind stores memories, thoughts, and feelings that may not be readily available to your conscious mind, and these can be important in understanding why you are experiencing the symptoms of depression.
During hypnotherapy, we will use methods such as guided visualization, age regression, or affect bridges, to help you access and explore your unconscious thoughts and feelings. By doing so, you may be able to uncover past events or experiences that may be contributing to your depression.
We can then shed light on new understandings of these experiences as well as re-frame them to help to dispel the negative residue and energy that is contributing to your depression.
Here are a few facts about hypnosis:
- Hypnosis is a state of focused attention and deep relaxation that allows a person to be more receptive to new ideas and suggestions.
- Hypnosis is not sleep, and the person being hypnotized is usually aware of what is happening during the session.
- Hypnosis is not mind control, and the person being hypnotized remains in control of their own actions and behaviors.
- Hypnosis has been used for a variety of purposes, including depression treatment, growth and development, and helping to reduce anxiety disorders.
- Hypnosis is considered safe when performed by a trained and certified professional.
- The effectiveness of hypnosis can vary from person to person and is influenced by a variety of factors, such as the person’s willingness to be hypnotized and their motivation to change.
- Research on hypnosis has shown that it can be an effective treatment for a variety of conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, and chronic pain.
- There are different approaches to hypnosis, including clinical hypnotherapy, regression hypnotherapy, past life regression.
- Some people may be more susceptible to hypnosis than others, but anyone can learn how to enter a hypnotic state with the right guidance and practice.
- Although it’s rare, there can be some side effects after hypnosis such as dizziness, headache, nausea, drowsiness, sleep problems or feelings of distress.
Hypnosis should be used along with mental health and medical training as an additional treatment tool.
Difference Between Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy And Hypnosis
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on helping people identify and change unhelpful thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. CBT is often used to help people manage stress, anxiety, depression, phobias, eating disorders, substance abuse issues, relationship difficulties, and more.
The main difference between CBT and hypnosis is the target of change. CBT focuses on helping people identify and change unhelpful thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Hypnosis, on the other hand, is an altered state of consciousness used to help a person make changes in their subconscious mind.
Suggestions during hypnosis can cause dynamic changes in brain activity.
What Hypnosis Does To Your Brain
During hypnosis, the brain goes into a state of increased relaxation and focus characterized by a decrease in the brain’s frontal lobe which is the part of the brain responsible for logical thinking and decision-making. At the same time, there is an increase in activity in other areas such as the ones responsible for imagination and visualization.
In this state a person can bypass the conscious thoughts and tap into their unconscious mind which stores memories, thoughts, and feelings. This is the house for the patterns, behaviors and memories that contribute to symptoms and conditions in both the physical and emotional world.
By going into this area of the brain, we can resolve what lives in the past that is still having effect on our present life.
It is important to note that hypnosis is not a form of sleep and you will be fully aware and in control during the session. Hypnosis is a natural state that we all experience to some degree on a daily basis, such as when we become immersed in a book or a movie.
Hypnosis is also good way to supplement medical procedures such as surgery and dental treatments by helping a patient relax and reduce pain because of the calming effect it has on your brain. It has also been used in the management of chronic pain conditions, such as migraines and arthritis, in circumstances where traditional medical treatments may not be as effective.
How Do You Feel After Being Hypnotized?
People often describe feeling very relaxed after being hypnotized. Some people may feel a sense of peace or calm, while others may feel more energized or focused.
It is not uncommon to feel a little hazy or disoriented immediately after the hypnotherapy session, as the brain adjusts to being back in a fully conscious state. Taking time to go outside or drink water to ground yourself can be helpful to this process.
It is important to note that hypnotherapy is not a “one size fits all” treatment, and the specific feelings and experiences of an individual will depend on their unique needs and goals.
Therefore, some people may have a powerful or transformative experience with clarity or understanding on their current situation, while others may feel a small shift and change. The important thing to note is that any work you do on yourself is a step in a positive direction.
Taking time to go inward and heal parts of yourself that are calling for attention will always lead you towards a beneficial experience for your life.
The subconscious mind is the source of all our creative ideas, solutions, and insights.
What Are The Benefits Of Hypnotherapy For Depression?
Hypnotherapy can help to reduce the symptoms of depression and help get to the root cause. Research has found that utilizing hypnosis for treatment of depression is effective in reducing symptoms such as low mood, feelings of worthiness, and difficult in concentration by uncovering what is creating these from occurring in the first place.
…hypnotherapy sessions generally focus on (a) the induction of a relaxation response; (b) the production of somatosensory changes; (c) a demonstration of the power of mind; (d) an expansion of awareness; (e) ego strengthening; (f) accessing and restructuring unconscious psychological processes; (g) teaching self-hypnosis; and (h) offering posthypnotic suggestions for modified responses.
Evidence-Based Hypnotherapy for Depression from International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis
Hypnosis can also have long-lasting effects. This is because it can help to address the underlying causes of a problem, rather than just addressing the symptoms. By addressing a root cause, you are more able to effectively resolve the issue, leading to permanent changes.
Hypnotherapy is also a safe and effective treatment option for those who are unable or unwilling to take medication for depression
In a randomized controlled trial by Alladin and Alibhai, hypnotherapy produced significant improvement. In another study by Dobbin et al, hypnotherapy was significantly more effective than antidepressant treatment on depression. You can view this study here.
This modality can also be used as a complementary treatment alongside others such as CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and medication. This results in a more comprehensive approach to managing depression.
Hypnosis is a great tool to be utilized to help assist in healing and support the pathway towards achieving an optimal state of being.
Techniques Utilized In A Hypnotherapy Session
There are a variety of techniques that may be used during a hypnotherapy session. Some common techniques include:
- Relaxation techniques: Deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation, to help the client enter into a state of hypnosis.
- Guided visualization: Visualization exercise, in which the client imagines a peaceful or positive scene in order to relax and focus.
- Age regression: Age regression techniques to help the client access and explore memories or experiences from their past.
- Positive suggestion: Positive suggestions to help the client adopt new behaviors or change negative thought patterns.
- Reframing: Reframing techniques to help the client change their perspective on a problem or situation.
- Anchoring: Anchoring techniques to help the client associate a positive emotion or state of mind with a specific sensation, such as a touch or a word.
One example of a visualization technique that may be used in hypnotherapy for depression is the “safe place” visualization. This technique involves guiding the person into a state of relaxation and then having them imagine a place that feels safe and comforting to them.
This place could be a real location or a fictional one.
The person is then encouraged to use their senses to fully immerse themselves in the experience of being in this place, such as feeling the warmth of the sun or the softness of the grass under their feet.
The hypnotherapist may then use suggestions to help the person associate this place with feelings of safety, calm, and relaxation. The person may be encouraged to return to this place in their mind whenever they are feeling stressed or anxious, as a way of finding inner peace and relaxation.
It is important to note that this is just one example of a visualization technique that may be used in hypnotherapy for depression. The specific techniques used will depend on the goals of therapy and the needs of the individual.
Can Hypnotherapy Really Help With Depression?
Depressive disorders are the most significant of mental disorders in the United States.
In a study by the National Library of Medicine patients who received CBT with adjunctive hypnosis fared better than 75% of patients who received therapy without hypnosis.
Hypnotherapy is a safe and natural way to address the root causes of negative thoughts and behaviors which are associated with depression. Hypnosis is a powerful tool that can help you tap into your own inner resources and bring about positive changes in your life.
Think of Hypnosis like a flashlight that shines a light on the mind, revealing the hidden areas of the unconscious that are contributing to the parts of you that are not in alignment with your highest self.
Thus gives you new choices and perspectives on what you need to move forward and live your best life.
You will be able to nurture and develop your own inner strength and freedom to release yourself from the past and step into a new empowered presence that embodies the freedom you desire.
Here are some other ways that hypnotherapy may be used to treat depression:
- Reducing negative thoughts and beliefs: Hypnotherapy may be used to help people identify and challenge negative thoughts and beliefs that contribute to their depression. Suggestion and visualization are used to help a person replace negative thoughts with more positive ones and to go back to the place where these thoughts and feelings originated.
- Changing behaviors and habits: Hypnotherapy may be used to help people make positive changes to their behaviors and habits, such as improving sleep patterns or increasing physical activity, which can be helpful in managing depression.
- Reducing stress and anxiety: Hypnotherapy may be used to help people relax and reduce stress and anxiety, which can be contributing factors to depression.
- Improving self-esteem: Hypnotherapy may be used to help people improve their self-esteem and increase their confidence, which can be helpful in managing depression.
Who Is A Good Candidate For Hypnotherapy For Depression?
Hypnotherapy may be an appropriate treatment option for some people with depression, but it is not suitable for everyone.
Some factors that may make a person a good candidate for hypnotherapy for depression include:
- Willingness to participate: Hypnotherapy requires a person to be willing and able to participate in the therapy process. This includes being open to new ideas and approaches, as well as being able to follow the instructions of the hypnotherapist.
- No underlying medical conditions: Hypnotherapy may not be suitable for people with certain medical conditions, such as epilepsy or heart conditions, as it may pose a risk to their health. It is important to discuss any underlying medical conditions with a qualified mental health professional before starting hypnotherapy.
- No current substance abuse: Hypnotherapy may not be appropriate for people who are currently using drugs or alcohol, as these substances can affect a person’s ability to enter a trance state and may interfere with the effectiveness of the therapy.
- No severe mental health conditions: Hypnotherapy may not be suitable for people with certain mental health conditions, such as severe psychosis or bipolar disorder, as it may not be the most appropriate treatment option.
How Many Hypnotherapy Sessions Do You Need For Depression?
The number of hypnotherapy sessions needed to treat depression will vary depending on the individual and the severity of their condition. Some people may experience significant improvement in their symptoms after just a few sessions, while others may require more extended treatment.
In general, it is common for people with depression to have several hypnotherapy sessions over the course of several weeks or months. The frequency of sessions may vary, with some people receiving weekly sessions and others having sessions less frequently.
In conclusion, hypnotherapy can be a very effective treatment for depression by addressing the underlying cause of what is going on in your body and your mind.
By exploring your unconscious mind, you can dive deeper into your inner world and understand yourself in a loving and healing way.
You can create the joy you wish to see from the inside out. I am here to offer you a safe and supportive environment and help you to step into the love and happiness that is your birthright.
Contact me today for a free consultation to learn more about how hypnosis can help you with healing from depression.
Call me at 305-336-4685 or email me for a free consultation. I look forward to speaking with you
