Joanna Malinowska
Professional Hypnotherapist
Sydney Hypnotherapy & Self Hypnosis Centre
Clinical Hypnotherapy Explained - What is Hypnotherapy & Hypnotherapy Techniques.
What is hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is the therapy performed in the hypnosis. The hypnotherapy combines counselling, psychotherapy and hypnosis together. Any therapy performed in hypnosis works much better than on its own. In my practice, I am using a broad range of therapy, based on behavioural, cognitive, psychodynamic, humanistic and spiritual approach.
We are highly complex beings, composed of many layers, physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual. I use a holistic approach in the therapy I offer. It means that all the layers are addressed together and resolutions are made on the body, mind, soul and spiritual level simultaneously.
To explain all this therapies in brief, let us use some simple example. Assume we have a client, Mary, who is afraid of green frogs and it gives her a lot of trouble.
Cognitive behavioral therapy - CBT
CBT is a combination of behaviour and cognitive therapy.
Behaviour therapy is based on the assumption that Mary fear of frogs is caused by faulty learning and all what needs to be done is to teach Mary not to be afraid of frogs. This can be done in many way, it usually is much slower than other techniques, but it has been well researched and it is quite popular amongst psychologists.
Cognitive therapy is based on the way we think. It challenges the irrational beliefs. For Mary, it would be to let her understand that green frogs are little harmful creatures and her fears are out of proportion. The cognitive therapy is usually used together with the behaviour therapy.
Neuro Linguistic Programming - NLP
The NLP is called "the modern technology of human achievement". It is based on observations how our brain works, how we store our experiences and how to "reframe" and remodel our thinking and behaviour to achieve the desired outcome. The NLP techniques are much more effective than traditional behaviour and cognitive therapies. They can be spectacular when used in hypnosis. For Mary, I would use the "collapsing anchors" , which would give the instant result if Mary meets some selection criteria (this would be revealed during counselling).
The hypnoanalytical therapy
This is used when there is more to somebody's issue than just faulty learning or irrational thinking. For Mary, her fear of frogs could be caused by some traumatic experience from the past, which she does not remember. For example, she could fall into the deep pond full of frogs and almost drawn. The hypnoanalysis will help Mary to find the cause of the fear of frogs and to stop the fear at the source.
There is a number of hypnoanalytical techniques which I can use: Regression (in time), Progression (in time), Automatic Writing, Ideomotor Questioning and Dream Therapy.
The humanistic therapy is based on the rising awareness and self development. This would be applicable if Mary assumes that her fear of frogs is not just a silly problem, but a part of her life, which she wants to understand and improve. The humanistic therapy is concerned with the client as whole, in his entire life.
There is a number of techniques which I can use to assist client with such needs, with the application of Transactional Analysis and Gestalt. I also use elements of Ego State Therapy.