Personal path
I became interested in psychology when I was 17 years old. After entering the Pedagogical University, I encountered problems that I probably would never have noticed if I had chosen another university. We studied developmental psychology extensively, and even my diploma was dedicated to the topic of student motivation for learning. Later, just before COVID, I enrolled in a retraining program where I studied psychodrama. And when I moved to Canada, I completed training as a hypnotherapist.
Why hypnosis
Throughout my practice, I have encountered different cases, and I consider hypnosis one of the best tools—if applied properly. In regular sessions, it often took a lot of time to bypass clients’ defenses. For a person to open up and not be afraid of their vulnerability, they need trust in the specialist. A simple rapport. But even here, it is not so easy. Even if excellent rapport is established, the problem itself often requires long work and adaptation.
What hypnosis does
Hypnosis shortens the path of adaptation and consolidation a little, because it works with the subconscious, bypassing psychological defenses. But again, only after rapport has been established. Without it, nothing will work.
Does hypnosis solve all problems?
Not entirely. Much depends on the psyche of the person. If resistance to change is too strong, it will only help partially, meaning there will be relapses and setbacks. Free will has not been canceled, in psychology included. If a person does not want to change, then they do not want to change.
Myths about hypnosis
The human psyche is not machine code. It cannot simply be rewritten. Even if a person is susceptible to suggestion, they still filter all information through their own desires and needs. The subconscious also has a filtering system, which is quite stable. It takes what suits it and rejects what does not.
Who is hypnosis for
I would not conduct sessions when there are changes in the psyche on a physiological level (dementia) or on a psychological level (schizophrenia, psychopathy, psychotic disorder, epilepsy, manic states, acute conditions). Hypnosis is intended for a healthy psyche, where contact with reality is preserved.
How it works
Hypnosis is essentially a state of the brain when a person is relaxed and resting, almost asleep. It is a light trance state in which distracting stimuli are reduced. The person is fully focused on themselves and their sensations. The only external stimulus is the voice of the hypnotherapist.
Why results don’t always come immediately
Due to the complexity of the human psyche, and the depth of fears, traumas, and habits, one session may not be enough. Many people fall for advertisements that promise help in a single session, then get disappointed and never seek help again. Hypnosis helps, but how quickly changes come depends entirely on the flexibility of the psyche. Resistance and fears of hypnosis can negatively affect the process.
How long does it take to see results
If we take an example of obsessive thoughts lasting for six months, significant improvement can come after the first session. Because the condition has not yet deeply embedded itself in the psyche. The earlier you come with a problem, the easier it is to solve it. Fears require more time. Hypnosis does not erase fear—it restructures the subconscious reaction to it.
Final note
It is always better to seek help from a specialist in time than not to seek help at all. The earlier you start working on a problem, the faster you will see results.