Learn more about hypnosis
What is it and how does it work?
Hypnosis is a "modified state of consciousness" that allow you to safely access to your deepest resources in order to free oneself from your blockages.
THE HYPNOTIC STATE IS NATURAL. WE EXPERIENCE IT EVERY DAY.
Like when you're immersed in a captivating book and nothing else exists, or when you let your thoughts wander as you automatically follow the road while you're driving... You are here, and at the same time, somewhere else.
UNDER HYPNOSIS, YOU DON'T LOSE CONTROL - QUITE THE OPPOSITE.
The most recent scientific studies using brain imaging techniques (MRI) have shown increased activation of brain regions associated with control and attention during a hypnosis session. In other words, contrary to popular belief, you remain in full control of your experience!
hypnosis enables you to re-connect with your unconscious mind.
By creating a state of deep focus and relaxation, hypnosis calms your conscious mind - your "thinking mind" - in order to identify the origin of unconscious blockages that prevent you from living the life you want.
why consult a hypnotherapist?
Hypnosis is a wonderful tool to help you overcome blocks that cannot be resolved by conscious willpower and are not of medical origin:
Overwhelming emotions: stress, anxiety, fears, phobias, sadness, anger, shame, disgust...
Self-sabotaging behaviors: lack of self-confidence, addictions, compulsions, eating disorders, excessive shyness, etc.
Repetitive life patterns: attraction to people who make you suffer, repeated break-ups or a series of job dismissals...
Somatization of the body- when the body sends messages: chronic pain, allergies, insomnia, skin issues, excessive weight gain or loss...
By uncovering the origin of these fears and blocks deep within your unconscious mind, hypnosis enables you to eliminate them and free yourself from what is holding you back from living your life to the fullest.
Hypnosis is contraindicated in the following cases: severe personality disorders and/or psychotic disorders (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, paranoid delusions, hallucinatory psychoses, paraphrenia).
but what is the unconscious mind?
The unconscious mind is a huge reservoir containing all our memories and learning since birth. These stored experiences shape our future emotional and behavioral responses.
Every life experience triggers emotions, sensations and feelings that our unconscious mind records. It shapes our reactions, beliefs, thought patterns, and the image and self-esteem we have of ourselves and others.
Our unconscious develops defense mechanisms to prevent us from re-experiencing a situation that might cause a painful emotion. While essential in times of danger, these mechanisms often take the form of avoidance strategies or self-sabotaging behaviors that prevent us from living new experiences, taking on new challenges, and achieving our life goals.
This limits our personal growth and makes us unhappy.
For example, if a bad experience with a dog particularly frightened us as a child, there's a good chance that afterwards we'll feel fear whenever we come across a dog.
This fear may seem even more irrational if we have no conscious memory of the initial experience.
Our unconscious mind, which has stored this memory, automatically generates a fear response to alert and protect us from a potential attack.
MAKE YOUR UNCONSCIOUS AN ALLY TO LIVE AN FULFILLING LIFE
Accessing the unconscious through hypnosis allows us to transform or eliminate defense mechanisms that are no longer useful and that hold us back from moving forward.
We unlock our inner resources. The ones that have always been there, but remain silenced by mechanisms meant to protect us.
in hypnosis, there are 2 main approaches to re-connect with the unconscious mind
dissociative hypnosis
Dissociative hypnosis - with Ericksonian hypnosis being its most well-known form - strenghtens the separation between the conscious and unconscious mind.
By disconnecting from our immediate environment, it becomes easier to access our deepest "self".
The therapist then engages with the patient's unconscious mind, while the patient experiences a state of gentle relaxation.
The therapist works in collaboration with the unconscious mind, whose fundamental role is to protect us.
Non-dissociative hypnosis
Non-dissociative hypnosis, also known as "humanist" hypnosis, enables an expanded state of consciousness.
In this state, we are even more aware of ourselves and our surroundings. Our conscious and unconscious minds become one.
The patient can then dialogue with his unconscious, whose language is made up of symbols. They embark on a rich inner journey that often feels like a tale or an epic adventure. The therapist acts as a compassionate guide.