Anxiety is becoming more and more a common issue starting from very young ages. It is so common that we often misuse the term “anxiety”. However, when overwhelming anxiety comes, there is nothing like it; irrational thoughts, uncomfortable physical symptoms, and feeling like losing total control.

Thankfully, there are many things one can do to counteract anxiety. Some people will benefit greatly from psychotherapy and/or medications while some people will seek more holistic approaches such as taking wellness measures.

Hypnosis is one of the first things that come to mind when talking about holistic remedies for anxiety. It’s holistic because hypnosis aims to retrain the mind to create a relaxation response rather than anxiety. With hypnotherapy, the subconscious mind is stimulated, which is the part of the mind that triggers anxiety.

So what to expect when working with hypnotherapy for anxiety? What would make hypnotherapy sessions successful? Here, in this article, I answered some of your most important questions!

Factors of success to control anxiety with hypnotherapy

There is a reason why some people find hypnotherapy very helpful while others don’t receive much benefit from it. There are small steps you can take to maximize your gain from hypnotherapy. Here is what will ensure your success with hypnotherapy for anxiety.

o   Consistency

Hypnosis is definitely not a one-and-done game. Especially when working with anxiety, not much will change in 1 session. Many internal and external triggers contribute to one’s level of anxiety. Therefore, being consistent in your hypnotherapy practice is crucial when it comes to your success.

Consistency means showing up to your sessions on time and not giving up in the middle of the process. Oftentimes, relief is right after the toughest moment!

o   Feeling comfortable with your hypnotherapist

This one may sound very simple however, unfortunately, many people overlook the importance of feeling confident in your hypnotherapist. This is an important element because we will only allow people we trust into our space. This means the comfort with your hypnotherapist will allow you to open up to them easily and naturally; therefore making it easy to follow their guidelines with ease and flow with their suggestions.

Even though hypnosis is not entirely energy work, I find that in the most powerful sessions, as hypnotherapists, we go into hypnosis with our clients as well. This would only be possible with trust and comfort in the therapeutic relationship.

o   Following the guidelines of your hypnotherapist

Part of reversing anxiety response comes from managing daily stress effectively, working on self-esteem, and clearing any root causes. In addition to the subconscious work that is done in the sessions, there are usually home-play actions that your hypnotherapist may ask you to do.

The goal of these actions is to teach you how to regulate your nervous system daily and also in the future. Some of these actions are there to help you establish healthy coping mechanisms. No matter what they are, they are suggested for a reason. By following these guidelines, you will maximize your results with hypnotherapy.

o   Being aware of the step-by-step process

I see many people give up the hypnotic process early on because they expect a magical change. This is not only unattainable but also it’s not sustainable. Think about it, most people who try hypnotherapy for anxiety have been dealing with anxiety for years and they tried many different techniques before. It’s very normal and common to observe step-by-step change within.

Step-by-step changes may look like small adjustments in thinking, not reacting to old triggers, or feeling more control and confidence in certain situations. Through the sessions, the confidence continues to build up and one can feel more powerful instead.

How successful is hypnotherapy to control anxiety?

Hypnotherapy has been used to help with anxiety relief successfully for a long time and thankfully there is plenty of research pointing to this fact. In a meta-analysis that was published in the International Journal of Clinical and Experiential Hypnosis, 15 studies incorporating 17 trials of hypnosis were screened. It is concluded that 79% of the group receiving hypnosis reported significantly less anxiety than the control group. 

In another study that was published in the journal Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, researchers tried to understand the efficacy of hypnosis for anxiety disorder. They reported that when applied with CBT(Cognitive behavioral therapy), hypnosis helped participants decrease anxiety significantly, in comparison to the control group.

One study that was published in the International Journal of Surgery Case Reports specifically worked on children with cancer who have hospital anxiety and reported that hypnotherapy has been found very promising to help with anxiety relief.

All in all, hypnotherapy seems to be not only very effective but also very helpful for individuals dealing with intense anxiety that fuels other conditions such as fears, migraines, gastrointestinal issues, or depression.

How many hypnotherapy sessions does it take to control anxiety?

Hypnotherapy is a personal and unique journey that affects everyone very differently. Some people can observe quicker results while others can take a while. Both cases are very normal. However, especially with anxiety, it’s usually a good idea to expect at least a few sessions.

When working with anxiety, we address multiple topics that contribute to anxiety such as suppressed negative events, childhood blocks, unhealthy eating patterns, or sleep issues. All in all, it’s fair to expect an average of 4-8 sessions, depending on the person and the hypnotherapist.

Self hypnosis for anxiety

I always talk about how wonderful and powerful self-hypnosis is and it’s no coincidence that self-hypnosis can also help with anxiety. Even though you may not be able to work on root causes, with self-hypnosis you can still get a better grip on your daily triggers and disturbing thought patterns. 

Self hypnosis is a hypnotic technique that gives you a sense of control. With self-hypnosis, you can guide yourself into your subconscious mind and give yourself positive suggestions such as “I am calmer” or “I am in control of my thoughts”. During this light state of hypnosis, your subconscious mind will become more suggestible than usual, making it easier to retrain your mind. You can read more about self-hypnosis in my previous article here.

Final words

Don’t take anxiety lightly. Anxiety can become very controlling quickly. The best place to start is always a licensed mental health professional. But if you are open to holistic approaches and want to use your subconscious mind power to overcome your triggers, hypnotherapy is the way to go. Whether it is used in addition to therapy or alone, you’ll greatly benefit from mental clarity.