Hypnotherapy

Introduction

I am now certified in hypnotherapy, so I figured it’s a good time to write an article about it. This article will mainly focus on how I currently integrate hypnotherapy into my practice with clients in a therapy setting.

As a somatic based therapist, I do not offer talk therapy, but instead offer somatic based interventions including EMDR, Internal Family Systems, and now hypnotherapy as well. All these modalities involve guided imagery and visualization.

Hypnotherapy can be used as a stand-alone modality or in conjunction with others. I mainly use it in conjunction with others, depending on the needs of the client. That said, if hypnotherapy is offered, that will be the only modality used in that session with the client, as time does not allow for much of anything else. Other modalities can be used in prior or future sessions.

So, when do I suggest hypnotherapy to a client?

• When the client’s logical mind interferes with their ability to engage in the healing process, I may recommend hypnotherapy. When clients are in a deep state of relaxation, the targeted issue can be accessed at a subconscious level, allowing the client to get past the logical barriers and make connections their conscious mind wasn’t allowing them to make.
• After we have already used EMDR to target specific trauma-based memories and the client continues to experience symptoms. Hypnotherapy can allow the client to access other memories (birth experiences, infancy, past lives) related to their symptoms stored in their subconscious, allowing for more thorough release and healing.
• When a client has chronic pain or tension in a part of their body. Hypnotherapy can be used to target a body part, allowing the body to speak for itself and connect lived experiences which contribute to its pain. Additionally, the body parts is provided an opportunity to express their emotions and release the pent up energy.
• Hypnotherapy can be used to help a client decrease their use of a certain food item. There are hypnotherapy weight management programs out there. I do not offer that. But I can and have successfully used hypnotherapy to help clients stop eating certain foods of their choice.
• Often clients have tendencies they want to address which are most likely related to some childhood experiences, but they don’t have any traumatic memories to reprocess using EMDR. We can use hypnotherapy to do an age regression under hypnosis, allowing the brain to connect the dots, and under the state of hypnosis, the client arrives at a childhood experience relevant to the issue they want to address.
• Since hypnosis offers emotional expression and physical energy release, I may suggest hypnosis to a client who was not allowed to say no or express themselves freely or not allowed to leave a situation of pain. Under hypnosis, the client can experience a cathartic release of emotions, saying what they needed to say to whom they needed to say it to, and can experience energy release to get any stored energy out of the body related to the memory.

Main components of a hypnotherapy session

The hypnotherapy I offer primarily uses age regression. Age regression in hypnotherapy is a powerful tool that allows clients to access and re-experience earlier life experiences in a trance-like state. The goal is to uncover the root of emotional distress, trauma, or limiting beliefs by bringing buried memories to the surface. By revisiting these moments, clients can gain insight, process unresolved emotions, and create new, healing narratives. Often clients find themselves reliving very young memories, often preverbal and sometimes even go back to in-utero experiences, or traumatic birth memories.

Beyond childhood memories, age regression can also extend into past life exploration. Some clients naturally find themselves moving beyond their current lifetime, accessing what feel like past life experiences. Whether viewed as literal or symbolic, these experiences can provide meaningful insight into recurring patterns, unresolved fears, or deep emotional connections that seem to transcend this lifetime.

Similarly, in some cases, regression work aligns with the concept of soul retrieval—bringing back lost or fragmented aspects of the self that may have been disconnected due to trauma. This can be especially helpful for those who feel stuck, disconnected, or like part of them is missing. The process allows clients to reintegrate these aspects, using imagery, leading to a greater sense of wholeness and empowerment.

If a client lands in a past life experience, I guide them through an observation of their life and specific experience they landed in, will have them look around to see if anyone from their current life is there (they may look different, be a different gender, etc, but the client will intuitively know who they are in their present life), guide them through an emotional expression and energy release if necessary, lead them to their death experience, and have them leave that life and meet their spiritual guides in the inter-life area. I try to use terminology the client has used to respect their personal beliefs and not distract them by using unknown terminology or terminology they don’t agree with. Here, the client will reflect on their life, lessons learned, and what they want to bring to this current life, and also have the opportunity to sever any agreements made during a previous life. They also have time to ask their guides what their life purpose is for their current life. I write all this down and give it to the client after the session.

I also always offer a soul retrieval if a client has gone to a past life, as often they sense they left a part of themselves behind, and this is an opportunity to reclaim it. This may be something like courage, will to live, autonomy, speaking up, etc. I guide the client using imagery to reclaim their trait and place it back within themselves.

All hypnotherapy sessions also offer a time to reflect on what conclusions the client made about themselves and what behaviors they chose for themselves based on those conclusions, and a time to change those conclusions and choose new behaviors. There is also an opportunity to reflect on insights made and to create an affirmation statement based on the session. Inner child healing is also provided.

What is not addressed within a hypnotherapy session with me:  

• Creating new healthy habits: Of course this could be a byproduct of our hypnotherapy session, but we wouldn’t target this as a starting point. I have other somatic based interventions I use to support clients in creating and sustaining new healthy habits.
• Weight loss or smoking cessation: If these are your primary reasons for seeking hypnotherapy, great!, but I recommend you find someone much more experienced and qualified to help you with that, as this is not my hypnotherapy focus.
• Performance enhancement: Hypnotherapy can be used for performance enhancement, but if that’s what you are primarily looking for, please seek out a specialist in this area. I offer performance enhancement for my clients using an EMDR strengthening technique which is very effective.
• Financial Abundance or Manifestation Hypnosis: My focus is on healing, which has all sorts of fantastic results, but I do not focus on abundance or manifestation in my practice. I believe that is a byproduct of deeper healing work.

Below I include instructions I give to clients before engaging in hypnotherapy

How to prepare for a hypnotherapy session

1. Find a Comfortable Space: Please choose a quiet, comfortable spot where you can relax without distractions. It’s important that you be lying down for the session.

• For virtual sessions: Ensure your device is fully charged or plugged in. It’s best to use a computer or tablet, not a phone.

2. Set Intention: Be prepared with what you want to address during the session. Take some time to identify the specific topic you want to work on. This could involve addressing something like anxiety, exploring a habit you wish to change, or understanding a physical pain better. Being clear about your focus will help guide the session and make it more effective.
3. Have the following items ready:
   • A pillow (to speak into)
   • A stuffy or second pillow (used to represent inner child)
   • A spatula (used for energy release)
   • A warm compress (microwavable heat bag, warm water bottle, heating pad)
   • A cold compress (freezer pack, bag of frozen veggies)

During the Session:

I will guide you into a relaxed state using gentle induction techniques. Once you are in a state of hypnosis, I’ll provide positive suggestions tailored to your goals and may incorporate age regression to help you release any emotional or cognitive blockages. Finally, I will bring you back to full awareness, allowing you to reflect on your experience and the insights gained.

After the Session:

1. Debrief and Reflection:
   • Depending on how you feel at the end of the session, we may spend a few minutes discussing your experience. However, insights and connections will become more evident for you after a day or two post the session. I will make sure you feel grounded and safe to go about the rest of your day after our session. You are welcome to share your reflections and feedback with me at any time. I value your input throughout this learning process.

I hope you have found this informative and helpful. If you are interested in learning more or booking a session with me, please schedule a free consultation.