Hypnotherapists will say “pretty much everybody can benefit from hypnotherapy”.
I don’t agree with that.
I don’t think everybody can benefit from hypnotherapy because to enter a hypnotic state requires a certain level of intelligence and creativity that I’m afraid some people just don’t have. You need to have a strength of mind, and a genuine desire to engage with this type of therapy if you want to truly succeed.
It’s not for everyone.
So, is it for YOU?
Before you decide, consider this. People are generally more capable than they give themselves credit for. The fact that you’re here, reading these words likely on some sort of device tells me three things about you.
Firstly, you likely have the desire to change your circumstances. Because you’ve taken the first steps to learning more about how to get some help, so please continue in that vein and read on.
You probably also have the fortitude, the strength of mind, required for us to work together. You’re dealing with some sort of adversity, and rather than curl up in a ball and let somebody else solve your problems for you, you’re doing something about it. You are seeking out help yourself.
And finally, if you’ve been able to identify that you have a problem, decided to take action to solve that problem, picked up a device, accessed the internet, searched for someone that can help you and then researched your options and have taken the time to read articles such as this…you’re clearly a capable individual.
So things are looking good so far, hypnotherapy may well be for you!
I have to acknowledge that, technically, everybody can and does on a very regular basis go into a ‘trance’ state.
Ever find that you’ve lost yourself in a good movie or book, or daydreamed sat at your desk at work? Or driven from one place to another without really being able to recall the details of the journey? You were likely in a type of trance.
A hypnotic-trance is simply a state of consciousness where the person’s attention is focused and they tend to not be aware of what is going on around them.
If you want to understand, on a much simplified basis, what goes on inside your brain during hypnosis, here is a breakdown using brainwave frequencies to demonstrate:
- When we are awake and active, our brainwave activity is at BETA. The awake and active state.
- When we are calm and relaxing, our brainwave frequency is at ALPHA. The awake and relaxed state.
- When we meditate, or daydream, zoned out and miles away in our own little world, our brainwave frequency is at THETA. We are awake, but in an altered state of consciousness. A state of focussed attention.
- Then there is the DELTA brainwave frequency. That is when we are in the realms of dreaming, before falling into a deep restorative sleep.
So when you’re in a hypnotic-trance, you’ll find yourself mostly in the THETA frequency. In this state our conscious mind takes a back seat, and our subconscious mind takes the wheel.
Making (Theta) Waves
If we end up working together, we’ll discuss the neuroscience behind hypnotherapy in a little more detail. But essentially, it’s whilst you’re in the THETA frequency that a hypnotherapist can use language patterns and short stories, metaphors, to make positive, indirect suggestions to your subconscious.
We all move through each of these brainwave frequencies as we fall asleep, so technically if you are or have previously been capable of falling asleep, you can enter the brainwave frequency required for hypnosis.
Being physically capable of entering the requisite brainwave frequency to engage in hypnotherapy is one thing, but unless you have the DESIRE to change your circumstances, the MENTAL STRENGTH to reach out, and the CAPABILITY to take action…hypnotherapy isn’t for you.
So, is it?
If you’ve any questions about anything I’ve written here or anything else you’ve read on my website, get in touch!
Thanks for reading,
Adam
