Hypnotherapy is a life-saving but dangerous technique that must be used wisely

1. The essence of hypnotherapy
2. What is hypnosis based on?
3. Is it possible to manipulate our consciousness with the help of hypnosis?
4. What problems is hypnotherapy suitable for?
5. What to expect when meeting with a hypnotherapist?
6. Pros and cons of hypnotherapy

Perhaps the most incomprehensible approach to psychotherapeutic work for many is hypnotherapy . The charlatans and “businessmen” of the 90s had a great negative influence (at least in our country). Let us remember Kashpirovsky and Chumak, who promised people happiness through the TV screen. Then, after many years of isolation, a huge information flow poured into the Soviet people yesterday, for which they were not prepared. Unfortunately, stereotypes regarding hypnosis are very firmly entrenched in the minds of our compatriots. Some treat him as an outright “scammer.” Others feel danger and “loss” of common sense and will (this is precisely the echo of group sessions of various kinds of “hypnotists,” as well as myths about hypnosis, which are often broadcast, for example, in films and books). And only in the last few years has hypnotherapy begun to take its rightful place in our country among the effective and scientifically based methods in the arsenal of a psychologist’s work. Let's try to figure it all out.

What it is

Hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis in psychology, psychotherapy and medicine to treat diseases and mental disorders, restore mental balance and get rid of addictions and bad habits. It is an effective complement to other methods. It has a number of advantages over pharmaceuticals.

A hypnotherapist is a specialist who has the skills of a hypnotist, that is, he knows how to put people into a state of trance and work with them at such moments. Officially, they can only be licensed doctors and psychologists with appropriate specialized education. However, in the laws of the Russian Federation, there is no information about who can do this. Therefore, recently, all sorts of centers have been appearing every now and then, staffed by people who only have certificates of completion of hypnotherapy courses. It is impossible to say for sure whether they have abilities.

In Moscow, for example, there is a large and fairly well-known “Center for Training in Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy,” where Dr. Efremov works. This is a psychiatrist, psychotherapist, certified hypnotist in the USA, and has his own developments in this area. Despite all his professionalism, even his methods are criticized and not all reviews of his sessions are positive.

What to expect when meeting with a hypnotherapist?

No, now they no longer work with shiny gold watches that the therapist swings with a pendulum in front of the client’s eyes. Now the methods have become much more civilized. You will be offered a comfortable chair or sofa. Experts often use relaxing music. You will need to close your eyes, relax... and let your subconscious mind call the shots. No one is unhypnotizable, but if you don't work with a therapist, you might really not succeed and you'll just be wasting your time.

Essence of the method

During the session, the hypnotherapist, using various techniques, puts the person into what is called sleep. True, other concepts are now being actively introduced into use - a state of altered consciousness or trance. After this, the specialist gives verbal instructions depending on the purpose of the session.

For example, if it is necessary to understand the origins of a phobia or panic attacks, the patient is sent back to childhood to get to the traumatic situation that served as the starting point for the development of these pathologies. After this it is much easier to eliminate them.

If the goal is to get rid of addiction and bad habits, the hypnotherapist instills in the patient an aversion to gambling, nicotine, and alcohol. This is so strongly imprinted in the subconscious that after several sessions, when a person once again reaches for a cigarette or a glass of vodka, he begins to experience nausea and vomiting.

Sessions can last from 15 minutes to 3 hours. This depends on the professionalism of the hypnotherapist and the depth of the problem being eliminated. Upon completion, using again a certain technique, the patient comes out of the trance state, completely without remembering what happened to him during this time. However, starting from this moment, attitudes gradually change his subconscious.

The course of treatment is purely individual and can include from 1 to 20 sessions (the interval between them is also determined depending on the situation).

What is hypnosis based on?

The main term here is “trance state”

.
It is very natural for each of us. It is believed that we are in this state several times a day. Has it ever happened to you that you were walking down the street and were so immersed in your thoughts that you didn’t notice how you got to the right place, not seeing anything or anyone around? Or when you read a book and find that you read the last few paragraphs “automatically” and have to go back to understand the meaning of what was written? It is at these moments that we are in a trance. That is, the main thing to understand about trance: when a person is in this state, nothing gets into his head “from the outside
. Using special techniques, a hypnotherapist can put a client into a trance and help them reach the unconscious.

Indications for use

In medicine:

• pain syndromes;
• skin diseases (psoriasis, allergies, eczema, urticaria);
• preoperative premedication;
• CVD: hypertension, cardiac neurosis, heart rhythm disturbances, angina pectoris;
• pathologies of the respiratory system;
• digestive disorders: ulcers, gastritis, colitis, pancreatitis, irritable bowel syndrome;
• infertility;
• fibroids;
• stuttering;
• neurological problems: migraine, facial paralysis, tic.

In psychotherapy:

• phobias;
• addictions: gambling addiction, drug addiction, alcoholism, kleptomania;
• depression, increased anxiety, stressful and obsessive states, panic attacks;
• eating disorders;
• post-traumatic and obsessive-compulsive disorders;
• spasmophilia;
• hysteria, neuroses, psychoses;
• schizophrenia;
• elimination of muscle tension (bodily armor);
• sexual disorders: impotence, frigidity.

In psychology:

• adaptation;
• aggressiveness;
• sleep disorders;
• low self-esteem;
• excess weight;
• preparation for important events in life;
• smoking, nail biting and other bad habits;
• all types of stress: intrafamily, professional, personal;
• accumulated negative emotions, mental discomfort;
• pathological jealousy, unrequited love, experiencing the state of divorce.

If hypnotherapy is used in medicine or psychotherapy, it should only be performed by a person with medical training. Its use for weight loss or to quit smoking is allowed by certified specialists.

Exposure regression

The method is in demand for the treatment of anxiety disorders. Exposure involves conducting a behavioral experiment to identify a feared object and then adapt the person to the source of anxiety or the context of fear, in the absence of a direct threat.

Exposure regression is used to overcome pathological anxiety by recalling encounters with the source of an inappropriate reaction. Through regression, memory is activated. A person “collects” a chain of memories associated with interaction with the plot of fear. This allows you to see the whole picture of the disorder, establish the causes and study the mechanism of development of abnormal anxiety.

In a hypnotic state, experiences will appear in an intensified form. Hypertrophied reactions will lead to an emotional reaction, the release of painful sensations - abreaction.

The standard course of exposure regression involves consistent emotional release of pathogenic memories. Reducing the significance of the trigger and rethinking the experience leads to a decrease in the intensity of the experience, followed by complete neutralization of the pathological reaction of fear.

Contraindications

• Recently suffered a stroke, heart attack, heart failure;
• epilepsy;
• affective insanity;
• delayed mental and mental development, dementia;
• paranoia;
• organic brain lesions.

Temporary contraindications for hypnotherapy are:

• infectious or chronic diseases in the acute stage;
• taking powerful medications on a regular basis: tranquilizers, antipsychotics, antidepressants;
• alcohol or drug intoxication;
• malaise, physical weakness;
• increased body temperature;
• digestive disorders (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea);
• cough;
• injuries that temporarily limit movement;
• I trimester of pregnancy;
• children up to 9 years old.

In each of the doubtful cases, it is necessary to consult a specialist.

Kinds

Depending on the many approaches to hypnotherapy, it is divided into several types.

Ericksonian hypnotherapy

Founder: Milton Erickson (1901-1980) - famous American psychiatrist and psychotherapist.

Work: M. Erickson “Man from February. Hypnotherapy and the development of personal self-awareness.”

The bottom line: “Ericksonian hypnosis” is a special state of trance into which a person is introduced without any instructions or instructions (as in classical sessions). He is awake and actively communicating with the specialist. The focus of attention shifts from the surrounding reality “inward”. Thanks to this, the patient is able to concentrate on personal experiences. Breathing slows down, the body is as relaxed as possible, but memory and will are completely preserved.

His legacy was picked up by Dave Elman. As a radio host, comedian and singer, he developed a method of hypnotic induction based on Erickson's discoveries. He learned to work with patients in just 3 minutes, and also described in detail the benefits of hypnosis for the treatment of many diseases. It was he who was invited as a hypnotist for the first operation (carried out on the heart), when it was decided to use hypnosis instead of anesthesia.

Cognitive hypnotherapy

Books: E. Thomas Dowd “Cognitive Hypnotherapy.”

The bottom line: active work with cognitive processes within the framework of cognitive therapy is enhanced by the return to memory during a hypnotic session. The patient turns his inner gaze to childhood, remembers the traumatic situation that happened then, and understands his current state. Once you understand the essence of the problem, it is always easier to eliminate it.

Clinical hypnotherapy

Books: V. A. Ruzhenkov “Fundamentals of clinical hypnotherapy”; S. Lynn, I. Kirsch “Fundamentals of clinical hypnosis. An evidence-based approach."

The essence: treatment of diseases and severe mental disorders using hypnotherapy. Its application in medicine and psychotherapy.

Regressive hypnotherapy

Books: A. Kachorowski “Therapeutic hypnosis in regression and reincarnation”, V. Polyakova “Regressive hypnosis. A journey into the past. Dive into skill."

The essence: returning the patient to the past with the help of verbal attitudes. Activation of deep layers of memory. Extracting certain truths from accumulated experience that can be applied in the present in order to prevent further mistakes.

Hypnoanalysis

Founders: L. R. Volberg, R. M. Lindner.

The essence: a combination of psychoanalysis and hypnotherapy. Taking a history and identifying emotional experiences occurs during hypnosis. Allows you to bring to the surface events that have been repressed from the patient’s consciousness under the influence of some factors. It is distinguished by the use of a variety of techniques: free associations, visualization of scenes, automatic writing, etc.

Hypnosis and trust

Hypnosis itself is not the same as a pharmacological product or a psychological correction technique. As described above, hypnotic trance is a special state of the mental sphere. Any person can use hypnosis - an actor, a swindler, a lecturer, a commander.

In psychotherapy, immersion in trance (induction) is used to optimize, enhance the impact and speed up the healing process. Psychotherapy is a scientific approach (a set of methods and techniques) based on a therapeutic effect on the human psyche to improve its health and improve the bodily functions of the body.

There are various areas of psychotherapy - psychoanalytic, cognitive-behavioral, person-oriented, gestalt therapy. Most methods can be complemented by hypnosis. Such combinations are called hypnoanalysis and cognitive hypnotherapy.

An attractive feature of hypnosis for practitioners is the feeling of unconditional trust in the specialist in the hypnotized subject. Trust in the hypnotherapist serves as a marker that an important stage of hypnosis has been completed. In everyday life, if one person trusts another, this means that he is convinced of his integrity, sincerity, and correctness of actions. When in clinical practice a patient trusts a doctor, it means he is under the influence of his authority. This allows you to get rid of resistance and criticism, thereby creating ideal conditions for solving the tasks at hand.

Methods and techniques

In hypnotherapy, there are several methods that allow you to introduce a person into a state of altered consciousness. Some of them are demonstrated in the table, which also shows the words that the psychotherapist should say when plunging the patient into hypnotic sleep.

Some more popular methods:

• method of D. Kogan and V. Faibushevich: reading a poem (a separate one is selected for each patient);
• Charcot's method: rhythmic rocking of the patient's body + unexpected physical impact (loud bang, bright flash of light, blow);
• fractional method of Fogg and Kretschmer: immersion in hypnotic sleep in two stages;
• method “5–4–3–2–1”: a specific attitude is not given, it is disguised with the help of statements with which the hypnotized person consistently agrees;
• Erickson’s “Triple Helix”: the hypnotist tells the patient 3 stories, interrupting them in the middle and immediately moving on to the next story - the third text contains the suggested attitude.

When working with a patient while he is in a state of sleep, hypnotherapists use the following techniques.

Bodily insights and metaphors

Deeper knowledge of oneself, getting rid of old stereotypes of thinking and behavior, creating new strategies for solving difficulties.

State transfer

A patient in a state of hypnosis “conveys” his feelings and experiences to the psychotherapist in detail in a way that he would not talk about them simply in a conversation when he is disconnected from his unconscious.

NLP technologies

Influencing the unconscious using non-directive methods. The hypnotherapist taps into the patient's hidden capabilities without imposing stereotyped attitudes on him. For this, speech techniques, nonverbal influence techniques, and indirect suggestion strategies are used.

Read more in the article: Neurolinguistic programming

Catharsis therapy

A.F. Mesmer (German physician and healer of the 19th century) believed that a person gets sick if his fluids (charges of energy from the Universe) are damaged. The task of any doctor and psychotherapist is to restore them through emotional outbursts (crises, which are called catharsis). The best way to do this is to evoke pleasant memories during hypnotic sleep.

Stages

A hypnotherapy session can be divided into 3 stages.

Stage I

Names: drowsiness, drowsiness, shallow sleep, minor hypnosis.

Signs:

• closed eyes;
• relaxed muscles;
• state of rest;
• normal breathing;
• the ability to control one’s own body is partially preserved;
• control over your thoughts is maintained;
• inhibition of the kinesthetic system;
• free will;
• increasing heaviness in the body;
• memory saved.

The person understands everything that is happening around him, hears the words of the hypnotherapist perfectly, and can interrupt the session at any moment.

Stage II

Titles: hypnotaxy, mid-sleep.

Signs:

• catalepsy - freezing of the body in one position, the ability to control thoughts and movements is lost;
• smooth and calm breathing;
• decreased perception acuity;
• decreased interest in the environment;
• muscle weakness;
• realization of inspired illusions;
• decrease in heart rate, pressure, pain sensitivity;
• suppression of will;
• partial memory loss.

A person hears and understands everything that the hypnotherapist tells him, but is no longer able to open his eyes and do anything.

Stage III

Names: somnambulism, deep sleep.

Signs:

• complete loss of consciousness;
• openness of the subconscious to any attitudes and suggestions;
• loss of sensation;
• inducing positive and negative hallucinations with open eyes;
• lack of reactions to external stimuli;
• inspired transformation of age (return to childhood);
• complete loss of memory.

Experts consider staying in stage 3 as a transition between normal sleep and an altered state of consciousness.

E. S. Katkov, a doctor and researcher of hypnosis, also described three more degrees for each of the three stages. His classification is widely popular all over the world.

Pros and cons of hypnotherapy

The main advantage
is the ability to quickly cope with deep feelings and understand the essence of the problem. But remember that the work does not end with hypnosis sessions - this is just a way to speed up the process. The situation will have to be worked out with a specialist in classic psychotherapeutic sessions.

Main disadvantage

– high expectations that many clients have. You shouldn’t expect that you just need to sit with your eyes closed and all your problems will go away on their own. Hypnosis is not a pill, not a panacea. It helps to understand, live, remember the problem, but not solve it. If there are no unjustified expectations, then there will be no disappointment.