Can you use hypnotherapy for trauma?

Yes, BUT only if it is with someone that is trained properly since all hypnotherapy training is not the same, nor is a specific number of hours required or degree.

This post will be focused on how I have been trained to use hypnotherapy for trauma.

First, let’s define trauma. which is a deeply distressing event that occurred typically in our childhood but can be related to earlier adult events. Trauma is a strong and distressing emotional imprint into our memory. When people are needing to work through trauma it is because their body is holding on to the memory, and the experience.

Memory is a fascinating thing as it is directly tied to our sensations and emotions, and hypnotherapy directly works by bypassing the thinking or logical mind

Do you remember a time when you smelled a perfume that instantly reminded you of a friend or event that made you pleasant or happy? Or maybe heard a song that reminded you of a breakup and made you feel sad? That is because the trigger, memory and recall is deeply tied to the emotion. It is not the actual perfume or song that is the issue itself but if we have a negative emotion tied to that thing (such as a song or smell) it is the emotions that are the issue. The emotions are what need to be released, changed or get rid of.

So when people have not fully resolved their trauma they may be triggered or re-experience the sensational effects of that trauma, even though they are not actually reliving it – however, the body or flashes in the mind are re-living as though it is happening again because of that imprint still held there.

The subconscious mind does not know the difference between “real” and happening now, or fake, which happened in past but not now. So the subconscious mind gets flashes it feels real and therefore is for the body. This explanation is the same for phobias that make no logical sense.

In hypnotherapy, emotions are the connection to the subconscious mind.

The subconscious mind is defined as the feeling body and therefore holds the memory. The subconscious mind is 90% of who we are and responsible for behavior and habit. So when we have certain behaviors or habits that are linked to trauma – no matter how much we consciously may understand the “why” or “how” – the body may still seem to react. This is why many people will read or even do traditional or cognitive type therapy where they talk about the trauma but the feeling sensations come back even more feeling as though they may be re-traumatized over and over with the re-call.

In trauma therapy essentially the key is release and balance.

We are energetic beings and energy is meant to move. Trauma or dis-ease is stuck energy in our body. It is not our fault, we push or hold down as a way to cope because simply no other way has been shown to us…this may be the reason you are reading this now.

I personally did not realize how much trauma I held within me because I did not know how to feel, and not feeling becomes a baseline. Sometimes anxiety, depression, sadness, or even being numb becomes our baseline and we live in automation or detached because we compartmentalize these events memories, and feelings like putting them into boxes and placing them on a shelf inside us.

Hypnotherapy is a way to go inward to connect with the feeling or memory but almost like you are watching a movie, a technique that is commonly used is a dissociation from the memory so that one can even look at it to be able to process it. Almost like you are sitting in a movie theater and watching it on the screen so that you have enough distance between you and the feelings.

The releasing process is done while in a more deep altered state of awareness. In hypnotherapy you are aware and awake but in a more dreamlike experience fully bypassing the thinking of cognitive mind that otherwise not holding onto the memory. The body or emotions is the answer to what we need to release or what we need to feel safe again. Feeling safe is one of the biggest things needs i have run into when it comes to trauma.

What makes trauma a problem is not the actual trauma itself but the way we feel about the trauma that is needed to be released or shifted. When we learn how to work with and through some of the feelings we release it, de-charge or allow shifting.

Hypnotherapy is a modality that gets you into an Altered state of consciousness – the mind is open and in a stake of flexibility comparable to when we are children. A strong rapport with your therapist is necessary and a trust i the modality being used. Hypnotherapy is one of the ways most profound and rapid way i have found to heal trauma.

If you want to learn more on how i help release trauma feel free to reach out.