By Donna Groves, MA, LMFT — EMDR and CBT therapist specializing in trauma, CPTSD, and addiction recovery
Hypnosis as portrayed in Hollywood movies, often involves individuals losing control or awareness, which is a misconception. The truth is that hypnosis is a therapeutic technique where the person enters a state of focused attention and deep relaxation.
During a session, a certified hypnotherapist uses imagery, repetition, and verbal cues to guide you into a theta state, making you more open to suggestions.
Hypnosis can be used for a variety of purposes including behavior change and has had success with smoking, bed wetting over eating and insomnia.
What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a therapeutic technique where the person enters a state of focused attention and deep relaxation. It is nothing like the way it has been portrayed in Hollywood movies, where individuals are often shown losing control or awareness, which is a misconception.
During a session, a certified hypnotherapist uses imagery, repetition, and verbal cues to guide you into a brainwave state known as theta waves. This frequency of 4-8 Hz is associated with deep relaxation, meditation, and light sleep. The state you enter during hypnosis may appear like sleep but you are fully aware of what is going on. The mind is calmer and and you become more open to suggestions.
In a theta state, the subconscious mind becomes more accessible as the theta waves are linked with creativity and reduced mental barriers, making individuals more receptive to suggestions,
There are many benefits to hypnosis. It aids in changing habits and patterns by accessing the subconscious mind.
Hypnosis can be used for a variety of purposes, including behavior modification to help change habits such as smoking, overeating, and nail-biting, as well as for stress reduction, improved sleep, pain management, and emotional well-being.
To find out more about how hypnosis could be useful in your healing journey. Reach out today.
By Donna Groves, MA, LMFT
She specializes in trauma, CPTSD, addiction, and anxiety, integrating evidence-based and depth-oriented therapies to support lasting emotional and relational change.