In the broad spectrum of mental health, medical treatment methods, like drugs, currently have the most attraction. While talk therapy is also very popular, psychological treatments have continuously evolved, embracing innovative and alternative therapies that offer new ways for patients to heal. Among these, hypnotherapy has emerged as a way for individuals to combat their mental health issues.
Hypnotherapy can conjure images of someone using flashy and exaggerated techniques, such as swinging a pendulum back and forth, causing participants to go into a trance and forcing them to follow the hypnotizer’s every direction. Many times, it is seen as a party trick or something used to create audience amusement, but hypnosis also has the ability to provide medical treatment.
Normally in hypnotherapy, a skilled professional guides the patient into a deep state of relaxation and concentration. Although there is no specific time limit for the hypnotherapy session, the session can be divided into four stages. In the first stage, the therapist will try to relax the patient by using control breathing or muscle relaxation, helping the patient to ignore distractions. In the second stage, the patient is taken to a deeper level of relaxation, which is done by counting down or imagining a descent in some way. During the third stage, the patient will be relaxed enough to start considering the hynotherapist’s suggestions. These suggestions are for the area they are struggling in, whether it be mental health related or not. For example, if a patient was struggling with depression, the therapist would give them suggestions on how to lessen these depressive thoughts. This is done under hypnotherapy because people are more susceptible to suggestions in a relaxed hypnotic state, as they do not have distractions stopping them from accepting suggestions. The last stage is when the patient is taken out of hypnosis by reversing what is done in the second stage, such as counting up.
The trance-like state is meant to alter the patient’s ability to absorb information, but only in a way that is meant to help the patient with the problems they are suffering. Hypnotherapy can be used to treat a variety of conditions, such as anxiety, depression, stress, PTSD, and different types of phobias. When hypnosis is done by a skilled professional, the patient will not be unconscious or asleep, but rather fully conscious of their surroundings. Although self hypnosis is possible, it is not recommended by many professionals as hypnotizing oneself can pose danger. When dealing with psychological issues, it is often challenging to accurately self-assess one's condition. Patients may underestimate the severity of their symptoms or be unaware of underlying psychological issues. While self-hypnosis can be a helpful technique for relaxation, it does not replace the expertise and guidance of a trained professional. If you have unresolved psychological issues, it is crucial to work with a qualified hypnotherapist who can provide the necessary support and guidance tailored to your specific needs. If done by a skilled professional, many experts say that hypnotherapy does not pose any large threats to the patient.
However, some professionals, such as Dr. J. Meerloo, a Dutch doctor and psychoanalyst working in the mid-20th century, claim otherwise. As hypnotherapy alters the patient’s consciousness, Dr. Meerloo stated that it is very possible that the patient could do something they would not normally do. A therapist can abuse his or her power to alter the conscience of a patient in ways causing them to “commit evil acts,” as said by Dr. Merloo. These evil acts could be committed as the therapist is subconsciously getting addicted to the power they wield over their patients when the patient is in such a vulnerable state. While one could hypothetically use hypnotherapy to commit murder or other types of crime, there have been actual reported cases of sexual abuse through hypnotherapy. In the Netherlands in 1990, nine women accused a hypnotherapist of sexual harm during their sessions. The hypnotherapist was led to abuse the women as all nine women exhibited behaviors that showed their powerlessness and lack of control, such as involuntary movements of limbs. Although it is important to note that this occurred more than thirty years ago, there are instances of it happening now also.
Hypnotherapy can serve as a valuable resource for individuals struggling with mental health challenges, although I believe it is important to explore other options before considering it. As an approach that supplements other treatments, hypnotherapy can offer significant benefits; however, its scientific validity is not yet fully established. While there is evidence of its efficacy, there remain large gaps in our understanding of hypnotherapy, which means it should be considered cautiously.
Thoroughly researching and selecting a reputable hypnotherapist is crucial due to potential risks associated with the practice. A therapist also has significant influence over a patient, so one should be mindful of who they trust to be their therapist. This can be done by consulting the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH) or the American Association of Professional Hypnotherapists, which are agencies for hypnotherapists. They require therapists to have 60 hours of training as well as two years of practice as hypnotherapists to be part of their agencies. It is essential to acknowledge that hypnotherapy targets the subconscious mind, which is different from conventional scientific methods like pharmaceuticals, making it a favorable alternate path for those who do not respond to other treatments. While I believe hypnotherapy should not be the primary choice for individuals struggling with mental health, it can serve as a beneficial tool when approached with caution.
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