Hypnotherapy is a medical practice where the Hypnotherapist deliberately puts the patient in a trance like state. He then probes his mind and alters his way of thinking. He can also encourage the patient to overcome some of his habits and fears. Hypnotherapy has been in use for many years as a medical practice.
There are two types of hypnotherapy used by therapist – Suggestion Hypnotherapy and Analytical Hypnotherapy.
1. Suggestion Hypnotherapy
This is one of the types of hypnotherapy when the therapist suggests simple and easy to follow corrective measures.In this type of therapy, once the patient is in a state of trance, the hypnotherapist suggests some corrective measures to the patient. The patient does not enter a deep state of hypnosis. This type of therapy is often used with people who are unable to control substance abuse. Often smokers are encouraged to undergo hypnotherapy to refrain from smoking. During treatment, the therapist proposes suggestions like ‘quit smoking’ Along with this, he will also use an indirect method like telling the patient stories about positive facts in his trance like state or as a figure of speech.
There are advantages and disadvantages in this kind of therapy
Advantages
It has a powerful effect and it is used to tone down unhealthy habits – nail biting, smoking, etc. It can also be used to encourage people to loose weight. The effect can be felt quickly, sometimes even after two sessions.
Disadvantages
Since the patient does not cross the first state of hypnotherapy, its effect is not long lasting. In case the patient faces the same kind of circumstances as he had experienced in the past, he relapses into the same affected state.
2. Analytical Hypnotherapy
This is a deeper level of hypnotherapy where the therapist probes the mind of the patient for the actual cause of the trouble. This is used to treat people who are severely affected by some form of psychological ailment. The physical problems that arise from psychological distress can be treated by this therapy. The hypnotherapist is able to read the mind of the patient and find out the troublesome thoughts. Once these are known, a need based approach is adopted.
Different kinds of relaxation techniques are taught to the patient to conquer these troublesome thoughts. This has been an effective form of treatment against debilitating physical as well as psychological conditions. Diseases like hay fever and eczema besides a host of emotional and behavioral problems can be treated using analytical hypnotherapy.
There are advantages and disadvantages in this kind of therapy too.
Advantages
Using this therapy, the hypnotherapist is able to address the root cause of the problem. As the root cause of the problem is known, appropriate treatment can be given. The possibility of the patient relapsing into the previous state is reduced. As the treatment progresses, the patient will be able to understand himself and others better than before. He feels more at peace with himself and his surroundings.
Disadvantages
This is a long-term treatment and sometimes requires up to eight sessions to be able to see some kind of positive result.
Whatever the type of hypnotherapy the therapist uses, the objective of hypnotherapy is to help the patient to get rid of his troublesome habits and emotions. The benefit of the treatment is brought about by appealing to the subconscious mind of the patient, which is a more powerful side of the patient’s mind. Since, behavior, habits, instincts, and urges are all under the control of the subconscious mind, healing the subconscious mind has a more powerful effect and impact than tacking the analytical or the conscious mind.
Which among these 2 types of hypnotherapy is used depends on the severity of the emotional disorder of the patient. Alternatively if progressive approach is adopted then both these types of hypnotherapy mighty be used