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  • Ellen Haines

5 Ways Hypnotherapy is Different from Talk Therapy

Updated: Sep 9, 2022

Therapy is having a moment and I am HERE for it!


Gone are the days where therapy is reserved for people with severe mental illness or trauma.

Gone are the days where we're judged for going to therapy.

Gone are the days where seeking therapy is something to be embarrassed about.


Therapy isn't just about treating clinical illness or making life "suck less". It's about getting help in any aspect of life you feel you could use some support with.


Some people don't know where to start, or they've tried traditional talk therapy and haven't gotten the results they'd hoped for. Well, my friend, there are other options to consider.


Hypnotherapy is worth taking a look at. In this post you'll learn 5 ways hypnotherapy is different from talk therapy.


hypnotherapy-vs-talk-therapy

Now, let me just say that there is no "one size fits all". No one type of therapy is "better" than the other. Each has its place and every client will respond differently to each type of therapy.


That being said, I've heard many times from my clients that they've experienced more breakthroughs in one hypnotherapy session, than they have over months, or in some case years of talk therapy.


Let's break down some of the things that set hypnotherapy apart from "traditional" talk therapy.


hypnotherapy-vs-talk-therapy

1. Hypnotherapy uses the power of the subconscious mind while talk therapy uses the conscious mind.


Talking is at the core of traditional talk therapy, just as the name implies. Simply put, talk therapy involves exploring the clients feelings, by talking about them. A psychologist or counselor will ask you questions about what you're feeling, past life experiences, and traumas in order to treat or diagnose various mental "conditions". Your therapists goal is to help you develop coping strategies and gain a better understanding of your emotions.


Drawbacks

  • While some people find it helpful to have someone they can talk to, others find it uncomfortable revealing their deepest feelings and emotions.

  • Some people find they initially feel better talking about their issues, but soon after the session ends they fall back into old patterns or don't experience meaningful change.

  • Using your conscious mind to talk about how you feel can help you get things off your chest and discuss possible lifestyle changes or coping strategies, but it only works if people are able to actually implement them.

Hypnotherapy is different from talk therapy because it uses guided relaxation methods and focused attention to induce a heightened state of awareness (also referred to as trance or hypnosis) so that you can communicate directly with your subconscious. This allows you to access information you wouldn't normally be able to, allowing for new insights and deeper healing. Think of this like a very natural and safe state of relaxation. You'll be conscious and aware, yet you'll be physically and mentally calm.


Why would we want to do this?


Well, science has shown that the