Hypnosis is increasingly being utilised as a positive and beneficial therapeutic technique. Many people are now seeing it for what it is: a highly effective modality that has been proven over and over, in clinical academic studies, to achieve better results in shorter time than more traditional therapies.

The key is in its ability to access the subconscious mind: the place where we store behaviour patterns and memories that we didn’t know we had. This aspect of our consciousness mind can unwittingly influence our behaviour and decision making, leading to dysfunction and illness, both physical and mental. Hypnosis allows the therapist to access the patient’s subconscious mind, with their full consent and awareness, such that beneficial changes can be made. It is a simple, non-invasive, straightforward process that builds on trust and rapport between the therapist and the client.

Hypnosis grew in popularity following successful use of it during the late 19^th century by prominent physicians and practitioners such as Sigmund Freud, James Braid, Franz Mesmer and Milton Erickson. Erickson in particular is credited with establishing the connections between the subconscious mind and human behaviour. He fostered the now established understanding that hypnosis is the pathway to the subconscious mind and is not a place to be feared, as it was during the time of Freud when hypnosis was in its infancy.

All people can be hypnotised. Some may go deeper than others, but all humans have the capacity to be treated this way. All it takes is the willingness to try, and a good therapist who understands the appropriate induction techniques as well as generating an environment of trust and safety.

In fact, all of us are hypnotised on a regular basis, without even realising it. If we think of driving a familiar route, say from work to home, we are often in a hypnotic state while driving this route. Some days we forget the entire drive, because we are in what is called a light trance state and thinking of other things. Trance states can also be induced while watching TV, playing a video game, or exercising. During these activities, the brain waves are slowed, and the conscious mind is more at rest.

Once under hypnosis, the trance state is more pronounced, and there is a specific intent before entering into this state. While in trance, the conscious mind is relaxed and less intrusive or controlling. The client is allowing access to the part of their mind that is usually veiled and out of the reach of their awareness. In this state, the client can receive positive suggestions that go directly into their subconscious, a place that governs their day-to-day behaviour and thoughts, whether they realise it or not.

Suggestions placed in this part of the person’s consciousness can be aimed at reducing or eliminating pain or discomfort, or an undesired behaviour such as smoking or overeating. Hypnosis can also delve into past memories, allowing the therapist and client, in partnership, to find the source of a psychological problem.

For example, the client may have had a traumatic event in childhood that they have mostly forgotten. Perhaps they never received an appropriate level of counselling for it. Perhaps they didn’t think it was traumatic at all, but it deeply affected them and they didn’t realise it at the time, or since. The client can be taken back through their memories, which are clearer in a trance state, where the conscious mind is not intruding. In this way, they may then be able to fully understand what the incident meant to them, and how it has shaped their thinking or behaviour throughout their life since the event.

Although there are no documented cases where hypnosis is harmful, there are certain situations where it should not be used. A client who has a mental health condition such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder may not always present in a stable mind state, with the ability to react well to the process and give appropriate responses when in trance. The same goes for anyone is substance affected. Even if none of these conditions are present in the client, they may still not be willing to proceed for any one of a number of reasons. If there is doubt or any sort of unease or uncertainty, then it is best for the therapist not to proceed with hypnosis at that time.

Hypnosis is a low-risk procedure that a person can try, in place of medication or even more traditional psychotherapies. The client is always in control and cannot be made to do or think anything that is against their values or not in their best interests. If there is any doubt on their part, or perceived lack of trust in the therapist, then they should not proceed with hypnosis. Nonetheless, many therapists who use hypnosis are well trained and undergo a rigorous certification procedure. They also genuinely want to help their clients get better or feel better, and will almost certainly create a positive experience throughout. For anyone considering hypnosis, it can’t hurt to try it, and there really is very little to lose, other than the source of your problem, in less time and with more success than most other approaches.