The Benefits of Clinical Hypnosis

These are the main benefits of clinical hypnosis used to treat patients.

Within the wide repertoire of therapeutic techniques and resources available to psychology, clinical hypnosis is one of those that most often attract attention. This is partly due to the myths that circulate about this practice, and partly due to the sensationalist use of hypnosis in television programs and other audiovisual content.

However, beyond all mysticism, hypnotherapy is a very useful tool to address certain disorders through scientifically validated procedures. In this article we will talk about the potential of clinical hypnosis..

What is clinical hypnosis?

Let's start with the basics: what exactly is clinical hypnosis? It is the use of hypnosis adapted to be used as a therapy tool for physical and psychological disorders, based on the modulation of the state of consciousness and attentional focus management.It is based on the modulation of the state of consciousness and the management of the attentional focus.

In this context, hypnosis is used by a properly qualified health professional, and aims to mitigate symptoms associated with physical and / or psychological discomfort. On the other hand, hypnosis does not cause patients to lose control of their actions, nor does it plunge them into a permanently altered psychological state.

Benefits of clinical hypnosis

Let's see what are the main benefits of clinical hypnosis, which can be classified into two main blocks: treatment of anxiety and pain.

Treatment of anxiety

Phobias, generalized anxiety, panic disorder? Anxiety problems are among the most common psychological problems, and clinical hypnosis has proven to be an effective resource in treating them (although in practice it is used in combination with other procedures).

The state of consciousness to which patients are induced through hypnotherapy helps them to let go of the intrusive thoughts that give rise to psychological rumination and anxiety, and also facilitates a "reset" of the mind, so that the person is able to look at what worries him/her and deal with it in a more constructive way, without giving in to paralysis due to anguish.

Thus, clinical hypnosis makes it possible for people to habituate to what would normally result in a state of high anxiety, seeing it for what it really is and without feeding that fear by losing themselves in presuppositions and catastrophic predictions..

In addition, considering that excessive anxiety and stress are present in many psychological disorders, this type of intervention can also be used in cases of depression, OCD, addictions, etc.

Pain treatment

Another of the most important benefits of clinical hypnosis has to do with its ability to provide the patient with a greater tolerance to pain, making the latter produce significantly less discomfort.

It is important that in these cases the effect of hypnosis is not the total elimination of pain, but the fact of experiencing it in a much less intense way, due to an adaptation of the mode of pain.due to an adaptation of the way attention is used.

For this reason, hypnotherapy can be used in cases of chronic pain, in post-surgery, before diseases that produce inflammations, etc.

Are you interested in psychological therapy?

If you want to have the support of professional experts in clinical hypnosis and other forms of effective psychotherapy, please contact us.

In Avance Psychologists we have been working for more than 20 years to increase the well-being of our patients, and we offer services in individualized psychological therapy, family and couple therapy, neuropsychology, psychiatry, speech therapy and coaching. You can find us at our center located in Madrid, and we also perform online therapy by video call.

Bibliographical references:

• Braid, J. (2008). The Discovery of Hypnosis: The Complete Writings of James Braid, the Father of Hypnotherapy. London: National Council for Hypnotherapy.
• Jensen, M. and Patterson, D. R. (2006). Hypnotic treatment of chronic pain. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 29: pp. 95 - 124.
• Mauer, M. H.; Burnett K. F.; Ouellette, E. A.; Ironson, G. H.; Dandes, H. M. (1999). Medical hypnosis and orthopedic hand surgery: Pain perception, postoperative recovery, and therapeutic comfort. The International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 47(2): pp. 144 - 161.
• Moix, J. y Casado, M.I. (2011). Terapias Psicológicas para el Tratamiento del Dolor Crónico. Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos de Madrid: Clínica y Salud, 22(1): pp. 41 - 50.
• Robertson, D (2012). The Practice of Cognitive-Behavioural Hypnotherapy: A Manual for Evidence-Based Clinical Hypnosis. London: Karnac.