The difference between hypnotherapy and other modalities is a good place to start. Other options, including psychology, cognitive behavioural therapy, counselling, and psychiatry, engage with the conscious mind in talk therapy. When the client is in a state of hypnosis, the subconscious functions of the mind are accessed and engaged, bypassing the overthinking and overwhelmed conscious mind. The subconscious is the location of our memories, patterns, learnings and much more. Solutions to issues of unresolved trauma, addictions, phobias and other negative habits and patterns can be resolved with a combination of psychotherapy processes and hypnosis and hypnotherapy.

What is hypnosis?

Some definitions of what hypnosis is. One definition describes hypnosis as assisted meditation with a goal.

Another definition: ‘Hypnosis an altered waking state of awareness/consciousness, in which a person’s attention is detached from their immediate environment and is absorbed by inner experiences such as feelings, memories, cognition and imagery’.

We can break down the word as an exercise—hypno, origin from Greek hupo, meaning under. Then Gnosis, the Greek noun for knowledge, notable self-knowledge from the Gnostic tradition and including spiritual insight into humanity’s true potential and nature.

For most issues, it will be a four-session process—best spaced weekly or fortnightly. The rule of thumb is 3-6 sessions. However, I’ve learnt from experience that four is usually the required number of sessions to get traction and long-term change.

The hypnotic process

In the hypnotic state, our brain waves alter. Beta (14-40Hz), is the ‘normal’ waking and it is associated with alertness, logic and critical reasoning. Still, it can also translate into stress, anxiety, fear and restlessness. In the hypnotic state, we experience the Alpha (7.5-14 Hz). Alpha waves are present in profound physical and mental relaxation.

What happens at the first hypnosis session?

The initial session usually takes 90 minutes and involves a ‘pre-talk before the therapy—enough time to gather all the necessary information that’s needed. After that, clients can discuss their situation and issues and, most importantly, what they want to achieve from the hypnosis.

What happens after the first hypnotherapy session?

After a brief catch up to note the progress, the subsequent sessions concentrate much more on the hypnotherapy. By then you will be familiar with the comfortable reclining chair and the hypnotic process. The process begins with a hypnotic induction, which is a quick and pleasant process designed to bypass the conscious part of the brain and establish direct communication with the subconscious. This is where habits, memories and learnings are stored. Whilst in the hypnotic state, suggestions are made directly to the subconscious brain. These suggestions override even the oldest, most ingrained patterns, replacing them with new ones which align with your goal.

Once the hypnotherapy session is over, clients express feelings of relaxation, clarity and energy.

For clients planning an extended series of sessions (3 or 4), each subsequent session offers the opportunity to go deeper and deeper into the subconscious and experience profound states of being. These experiences not only help build towards the client’s goal/s, they also have the effect of recharging the immune system, reducing cortisol (stress hormone) and adrenaline levels. This leaves clients feeling calm and confident.

Many everyday experiences create altered states of consciousness (ASC), such as sleeping or daydreaming, sleep deprivation, euphoria or panic. The dream state, hypnosis, and meditation are also considered ASC.

Altered states of consciousness may also be induced by:

1. Hypnosis.
2. Meditation.
3. Spiritual experience.
4. Learning.
5. Insight.
6. Understanding.
7. Emotional development.
8. Sensitivity training.

The five brain wave frequencies

There are five brain wave frequencies Beta, Alpha, Theta, Delta and Gamma.

All frequencies are measured in cycles per second (Hz).

Each frequency has a specific level of brain activity with a unique state of consciousness.

Beta wave, 14-40Hz, is the normal waking state consciousness. It includes heightened states of critical reasoning, logic, alertness, but also stress, anxiety, fear and restlessness.

Alpha wave, 7.5-14 Hz, is present in profound physical and mental relaxation, usually when the eyes are closed, daydream, or shallow meditation. This is the threshold where the conscious and subconscious functions overlap and the ability to understand something intuitively, without conscious reasoning.

It’s worth knowing that the base atmospheric electromagnetic resonant frequency of the Earth is 7.83 Hz. Therefore, the Earths atmosphere is continuously resonating with a radio frequency of 7.83 Hz. These oscillations are called the Schumann resonances after the scientist that discovered them. Therefore, we can posit that it can only be beneficial for humans to be in sync with their planet, to be on the same vibe!

Theta wave, 4-7.5Hz accessed during dream REM state sleep, hypnosis, deeper meditation and light power nap sleep.

The realm of the subconsciousness functions and the optimum environment for change work in hypnotherapy. It is the state of mind where reprogramming using visualisation and creating your new reality becomes a possibility. You are aware of your surroundings and in a state of detachment and tranquillity.

Delta wave (0.5-4Hz). It is the deepest sleep and slowest frequency. The territory of dreamless sleep, deep meditative and hypnotic states. The dimension of the subconscious and universal mind and collective subconscious. At the Delta level, the subconscious can heal, regenerate and recalibrate the whole system.

Gamma waves (above 40Hz). The Insight Wave is the fastest frequency at above 40 Hz. This is when remote viewing, the practice of seeking impressions about distant or unseen targets, the ability of “sensing” with the mind can take place: harnessing insight and high–level information processing.

Brain wave states for hypnosis

Most clients can easily achieve light trance (Alpha) and medium-level trance (Theta). The client is aware of but not distracted by outside noises. They will be deeply relaxed and more suggestible. About 80% of the population can be induced into these light and medium levels of hypnotic trance.

Most clients can remember what is said during the hypnotic state, the subconscious mind hears and can make changes, but the conscious mind may not remember what was said. The subconscious mind listens and remembers in any level of trance and is making the changes, so it is not necessary for the client to consciously remember what was said.

This comical presentation provides a layman’s explanation for how hypnosis works, TEDX is hypnosis fake?

What is hypnotherapy?

How to get what you want from hypnotherapy

Before I go ahead with the hypnosis, I always go through preliminary steps to understand the clients’ desired outcome. Success and goal scoring is more likely when one has a clear target in mind.

Over the years, I’ve noted definite patterns with clients that achieve their goals.

They know what they want and what they don’t want.

They have an open mind.

They expect to get the desired result.

There is a willingness to collaborate.

It is usually straight forward for most changes to occur, of course, there can be more challenging cases, and they take a little more time.

I encourage any of you who are still in the decision stage to take action and experience and the natural and rapid life-changing benefits of hypnosis and NLP.

“When a man says ‘I cannot’, he has made a suggestion to himself. He has weakened the power of accomplishing that which otherwise would have been accomplished.” – Muhammad Ali