Are Online Hypnotherapy Sessions As Effective?
COVID-19 hit all of us on so many different levels, we had to change our usual ways and adapt to new methods. Most people are now confined in their homes but this doesn’t really change the fact that we need mental health support. In fact, we need it more than ever during these times. Many therapists started offering online sessions to adapt to the new situation at hand. Traditional therapy, online? Can it really work?
Thankfully, online sessions have existed for as long as video chat did. In the last 5-7 years, many therapists have adopted online sessions more and more regularly. As hypnotherapists, we have been using online methods just as long. However, it’s been an issue that has raised eyebrows. How can you hypnotize someone online? And what if the communication is interrupted?
Before you make your decision and commit to an online hypnotherapy session, here are a couple of things to consider to set the right expectations:
Results online are just as effective as in-person sessions
Although we are talking about online hypnotherapy sessions, psychotherapy provides great insight and research as to the effectiveness of the online sessions. According to a research article published in 2017, Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has been found to help patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, chronic pain and phobias just as much as traditional in-person therapy has.
In another research that was published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, seventy-two adolescents were split into 2 groups; one group receiving Telephone Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TCBT) and the second group receiving Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. The results showed that TCBT is an effective treatment and can be used with proven results!
In sum, one can expect to get similar benefits from both online sessions and in-person sessions.
Hypnosis takes place in your mind
Whether you prefer to do an in-person or online hypnotherapy session, most of the important work takes place in the person’s mind. The hypnotizability of the person doesn’t really matter when it comes to the location. It is possible to drop into a hypnotic state while speaking face to face, being on the phone, or even when we are watching TV, we can slip into the natural hypnotic state without even knowing it.
In an online session, the hypnotherapist will convert the individual into a hypnotic state just like how it would take place in an in-person session. Individuals have still guided through imagery journeys or release techniques under hypnosis. In fact, almost all hypnosis occurs when the eyes are fully closed. Therefore, when it comes to hypnotic inductions and journeys there is no difference between online sessions and in-person sessions at all.
Hypnosis works the best under total relaxation
The first meeting with a hypnotherapist can be intimidating for some. After all, there are many different ideas about hypnosis out there. Especially for the first session, some people may have their guards up unconsciously, even during hypnosis.
Online sessions eliminate the “getting comfortable with the therapist” process. Many people join the online session knowing in the back of their mind that, ultimately, they are one click away from disconnecting from the hypnotherapist at any given time. Although this doesn’t really happen, it gives comfort to the individual. Therefore, they can relax more, and most importantly, they can let go more.
Trust is a process and it develops over time. However, unlike traditional therapy, only one hypnotherapy session can be beneficial enough to reach personal goals. To enable this success, it is crucial for the person to let go and relax as much as they can.
Online sessions don’t require driving, waiting in the lobby, or taking time off from work
One of the greatest benefits of online sessions is convenience. If you are living in a city like Los Angeles, most probably even driving to the grocery store is a dreadful task. Online sessions allow individuals to leave the traffic, parking, waiting in the lobby, or other related stresses out.
Plus, since the hypnotherapist has a limited time in their schedule working out of an office, sometimes the availability/ unavailability may require clients to take time off from work or cause other inconveniences. On the contrary, online sessions can be done with more flexibility. Many hypnotherapists are working with individuals who are in different parts of the world making them even more flexible in terms of hours of operation.
Connection interruption won’t affect hypnosis
Nowadays, the internet is highly reliable in many parts of the world, especially in the U.S. However, still, there is no guarantee that the connection won’t be broken at all. What happens if you get disconnected during hypnosis?
The answer is, nothing. With a simple suggestion from the hypnotherapist, the individuals can be instructed to awaken in the event, and simply call back. A connection interruption doesn’t mean that you will get “stuck” in hypnosis because you can’t get stuck in hypnosis in any way. In that case, the next step would be calling back the hypnotherapist and continuing the process as guided.
Ready to make a decision?
As a hypnotherapist, I advise that you make your decision according to how you resonate with your hypnotherapist rather than debating on doing online sessions vs in-person sessions. After all, your mind does the magic and along the journey, if you have someone who can truly understand and guide you through the necessary path, you will have optimal results regardless of the location.