Hypnotherapy can help with addiction, such as smoking cigarettes. Out of all the available methods to end an addiction, hypnosis holds the highest success rate. Using the traditional form of hypnotherapy, a trained hypnotherapist will direct suggestion to help to remove the desire from the mind. Once the patient is in the trance, they will be asked to visualize all the negative effects associated with smoking. This includes the unpleasant lingering smell of the smoke and how cigarettes hurt the eyes and nose. The hypnotist will then suggest that the patient will be fine without smoking. They will then ask them to remember a negative effect every time they feel the need to reach for a cigarette.

For those suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder, hypnotherapy can be used as a treatment. For about a quarter of those who develop PTSD after a traumatic episode, the only effective treatment may be a hypnotic method. This is because 25% of people find that talking about the trauma can cause the problem to worsen and they will continue to remain severely disturbed. Hypnotherapy through means of the use of regression is one of the ways to handle the problem. This process involves the patient being taken back to the traumatic experience so they can relive it and understand that all the danger is in the past. This helps the person to realize the threat no longer exists and does not hold the power that it once did. Hypnosis can improve quality of life and assist in dealing with the trauma. Phobias can be treated this way, as well.

Hypnosis has proven to be effective for those with depression. Hypnotherapy can help ease the burden of this psychological disorder. A hypnotherapist will try to address the person’s perception of what led them to have issues with their mood and self-esteem. This treatment option can allow those with depression to deeply relax, have their cortisol levels lowered, and feel instantaneous relief from the condition. They will also be asked to engage in more healthy behaviors and thinking patterns. Stress is another issue that can be improved with this process.

Studies have found that hypnotherapy is effective for managing acute and chronic pain. Research has shown that hypnosis is valuable for reducing cancer pain, pain from burns, rheumatoid arthritis, and the anxiety and pain related to surgery. During treatment, the patient is able to tune out their conscious mind by relaxing and blocking out distractions. Once they have access to their unconscious mind they will focus on a singular idea or thought, and can target the pain to reduce it.

Allergy symptoms can be reduced with hypnotherapy. Research has found that focusing on an environment free of allergens can decrease hay fever symptoms by one-third.

Pam Greenberg, C.Ht is a certified hypnotherapist who specializes in treating a variety of conditions. You will find that your life will be improved by using hypnotherapy to modify behaviors and beliefs that are harmful. Our office can help you replace the negative thoughts with more favorable suggestions to change how you live. We are located in Mount Pleasant, SC and provide service to the entire Low Country area, including Charleston, Isle of Palms, and Sullivan’s Island.