Exploring Clinical Hypnosis: Myths, Benefits, and Best Practices

When you hear the term "hypnosis," what comes to mind? Perhaps it conjures images of mysterious figures waving pendulums, or maybe you think of stage shows where volunteers are made to cluck like chickens. While these portrayals can be entertaining, they miss the deeper, clinical application of hypnosis and even alienate a potentially very valuable tool for patients looking to bolster their mental health. In this blog post, we’ll delve into what clinical hypnosis really is, how psychologists use it to support mental health treatments, the conditions it can effectively address, and bust some of the common myths surrounding this fascinating tool now available at Tailored Brain Health with our licensed Psychologist, Dr Allison Campbell.

 What is Clinical Hypnosis?

Let’s start with the basics. Clinical hypnosis, also referred to as therapeutic or medical hypnosis, is a guided process where a trained professional leads an individual into a focused state of awareness, often resembling deep relaxation. No swinging pocket watch or weird continuous spirals here, just a clinical professional providing imagery and cues to help achieve deep relaxation. During this state, individuals may find that they can access feelings, thoughts, and memories that are usually outside of their conscious awareness. Think of it as putting noise cancelling headphones on that first layer of chatter in your mind, allowing you to hopefully hear some of what might be going on underneath.

This state of heightened suggestibility allows individuals to respond more readily to certain suggestions, which can lead to positive changes in behavior, emotion, and thought processes. Maybe it’s a step toward breaking a deeply engrained and unhelpful thought pattern or a chance to reframe a memory or viewpoint keeping us stuck.  Clinical hypnosis isn’t mind control; rather, it’s a collaborative technique between therapist and client aimed at enhancing therapeutic outcomes and providing deeper access to our own minds.

How Psychologists Use Clinical Hypnosis

Psychologists employ clinical hypnosis as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Here’s how it generally works:

1. Building Rapport: The initial phase involves establishing trust between the therapist and the client. This is vital for effective hypnosis; clients must feel comfortable and safe. The deep relaxation needed for the process is difficult or almost impossible to achieve without adequate trust and comfort in the therapeutic relationship. For this reason, it’s best not to expect hypnosis at your first session. This partnership may take time to build and that’s totally normal!

2. Induction Phase: Once a solid relationship is established, the therapist guides the client into hypnosis. This often includes relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, visualization, or progressive muscle relaxation. With time, you and your therapist will discover what techniques work best for you and this step becomes more and more routine.

3. Suggestion Phase: In this state, the psychologist can offer positive suggestions or therapeutic interventions tailored to the client’s needs. For example, if a client is struggling with anxiety, the therapist might suggest feelings of calmness and control and coach the client through mental techniques to aid in relaxation even after the hypnosis session has ended.

4. Post-Hypnosis Processing: After the session, the therapist and client will reflect on the experience, discuss any insights or feelings that arose, and establish actionable steps to integrate these insights into everyday life. Remember, therapy is a team sport. Just like any intervention, hypnosis relies on a cooperative partnership to achieve best results.

Conditions Treated with Clinical Hypnosis

Clinical hypnosis has been shown to help with a variety of mental health complaints and can serve as a valuable complement to other forms of therapy. The best way to know if it’s appropriate for you is to reach out and ask an expert in the field, like our new team member, Dr. Allison Campbell. In general though, here are a few specific conditions it can effectively address:

1. Anxiety Disorders

Clinical hypnosis can be particularly beneficial for individuals experiencing various anxiety-related conditions, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety. It can help clients develop coping strategies, reduce panic attacks, and manage stress more effectively.

2. Depression

While hypnosis alone may not cure depression, it can contribute to a more significant therapeutic effect when combined with traditional treatments. It can assist in addressing negative thought patterns that contribute to depressive feelings and can help boost motivation and self-esteem.

3. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Hypnosis may help individuals process traumatic experiences by allowing them to confront and reframe their memories in a safe environment. It can also help with symptom management, such as flashbacks and intrusive thoughts. Every person is different, but hypnosis is one of many tools in the therapy arsenal that may hold the potential for relief from some of the primary symptoms after trauma.

4. Chronic Pain Management

A growing body of research supports the use of clinical hypnosis for managing various types of chronic pain, including headaches, fibromyalgia, and arthritis. Hypnosis can help reduce pain perception and improve coping strategies especially in complement with other treatments

5. Insomnia and Sleep Disorders

Clinical hypnosis can help individuals struggling with insomnia by addressing underlying anxiety issues, improving sleep habits, and teaching relaxation techniques that facilitate better sleep.

Common Myths and Misconceptions about Clinical Hypnosis

Despite its increasing acceptance in the mental health community, misunderstandings about clinical hypnosis persist, especially outside the professional mental health community. Let’s debunk some of the most prevalent myths:

Myth 1: Hypnosis is Mind Control

One of the biggest misconceptions is that hypnosis can cause someone to lose control over their mind or body. In reality, individuals under hypnosis remain in complete control of their actions. Therapists cannot make suggestions that go against a client’s values or beliefs and the client is always able to reject a suggestion they aren’t fully on board with. This is one of the reasons it is so important to develop a relationship with your therapist prior to attempting hypnosis, if you aren’t on the same page it can waste everyone’s time!

Myth 2: Only Weak-Minded People Can Be Hypnotized

Contrary to this belief, hypnotizability varies among individuals but is not based on strength of character or intelligence. Many individuals with high cognitive functioning may enter into hypnosis easily. The right mindset and willingness to engage are often the most crucial factors.

Myth 3: Hypnosis is a Magic Cure-All

While clinical hypnosis can have significant benefits, it is not a miraculous cure. It is best utilized as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes other therapeutic approaches and lifestyle changes.

Myth 4: You Will Forget Everything That Happens During Hypnosis

While some individuals may not remember every detail after a session, many people have full recollection of what occurred. Feelings of relaxation or confusion post-session can occur, but the idea that individuals completely forget everything is largely exaggerated.

Myth 5: Hypnosis is Dangerous

When performed by a qualified professional, clinical hypnosis is considered safe and has minimal side effects. However, individuals with certain psychiatric disorders, such as severe psychosis, should avoid hypnosis without thorough psychological evaluation.

Conclusion

Clinical hypnosis offers a safe, effective means for treating various mental health conditions. By understanding its true principles and dispelling common myths, we can embrace its potential for improving mental health and take advantage of its tremendous potential for symptom relief or improvement. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, chronic pain, or other issues, clinical hypnosis may provide you with valuable tools to enhance your well-being.

If you’re curious to explore how clinical hypnosis might work for you or a loved one, consider reaching out to a licensed psychologist, like Dr. Allison Campbell at Tailored Brain Health, who specializes in this field. Together, you can discuss your needs, set goals, and determine how hypnosis can fit seamlessly into your mental health journey.

Dr. Allison Campbell has immediate availability as of July 2025!

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For more information on clinical hypnosis or to schedule an appointment, please contact Tailored Brain Health at admin@tailoredbrainhealth.com or 336-542-1800. We look forward to walking alongside you on your journey toward better mental health.