If we are going to use hypnosis as part of a therapeutic intervention, we need to understand why it is effective. This means knowing how to work with a client to induce a certain state of mind and then use this to help them solve the problems they face.
In the next few blogs, I am going to look at how the hypnotherapist can work with cognitive processes. Today, I will look at three things: attention, focus, and suggestibility.
So, let’s start . . .
Attention
After preliminary introductions and gathering relevant information, the therapist will first try to get the client’s attention. They may use a variety of techniques to do this, including muscle relaxation, breathing exercises, or counting down.
We are all familiar with being thoroughly engrossed in something—perhaps watching a film, reading a book, or just daydreaming and being unaware of what is going on around us. Being in a hypnotic state, often called a trance, is very like this. Brain imaging studies show that the areas of the brain involved in attention are more active and that awareness of other things—often called peripheral awareness—is reduced. All the client’s attention can be focused on the therapist’s voice and the suggestions the therapist is making.
Focus
Once this is achieved and the client is more relaxed, the therapist will guide the client to focus on one thing. This often comes in two parts: starting with a simple act such as focusing on a mental image—perhaps a path or a staircase. Once the therapist is sure the client is focused, they may introduce a more complex level, encouraging the client to imagine a state they would like to reach. Focus is a level beyond attention. It is where a therapist wants to get the client in order to begin to work with their problems
Compared with everyday mind states, it is very different.
It is selective and narrow, as opposed to the sweeping, butterfly-like nature of our everyday thinking. It is directed to our inner thoughts rather than the outside world, and with a good therapist, this focus can be guided (often using metaphors to reinforce this focus. We will deal with metaphor in more detail in a later blog).
Often the state of focus is induced by the therapist, directing the client’s attention inward to one, usually pleasant and calming, image. Brain scans show that in this state, there is increased alpha and theta brainwave activity, which indicates the client is more relaxed and more focused. This is a similar state to deep meditation or intense learning. Where this brain activity is present, the client will be more open to suggestions about how they might improve their situation. For example, a study in the Journal of Pain showed that activity in the areas of the brain associated with pain perception could be altered during hypnotic interventions. I often work with clients who suffer from chronic pain, and I know that in this focused state, my suggestions that they can push the pain away or lessen it are much more likely to be effective.
Suggestibility
Once we have induced the best mental state for our client, we can begin to use suggestion. The client is more open to changing their usual mental habits and adopting new ways of thinking. Good work can be done in this state.
The therapist will now make suggestions. These can be direct (for example, “You will never smoke again”), or indirect (“You may be surprised at how horrible the idea of a cigarette feels”). Suggestibility can also include proof. For example, if I am dealing with a client who is suffering from chronic pain, I might begin by asking them to focus on the pain and work with them to use their mind to lessen their perception of it. I may then ask them to calibrate their pain and show them that it has lessened.
Some people are naturally more suggestible than others, but inducing the hypnotic state will make nearly everyone more suggestible. In a clinical context, this means a client will be more open to suggestions for changing habits (such as giving up smoking), more able to change their ways of thinking about the world (which is useful for dealing with things like panic attacks), or their perception of their own mental states (helpful for controlling chronic pain).
Sometimes, one session is enough to seed new suggestions and change a client’s mindset so they can leave feeling enough work has been done. But sometimes it is necessary to repeat the experience to begin to permanently change ways of thinking and perceptions. Often, therapists will move on to helping the client help themselves by teaching them self-hypnosis and using affirmations.
If you are thinking of seeing a hypnotherapist, I hope this demystifies the process.
Contact Me
I hope this overview has clarified some key ethical issues in psychological practice. Feel free to reach out with any questions or let me know if there are topics you’d like me to explore further.
Coming Next
Next time I will look at Expectancy effects and their impact on hypnotic outcome. See you then!