Hypnotherapy: "If I Don’t Believe, It Can’t Work!"

Sometimes sceptics of hypnotherapy or non-believers will say ‘Yeah, but it’s all in the mind anyway isn’t it, so if I don’t believe then it won’t work, will it?’

Of course, hypnotherapists are well aware that yes, it is ‘all in the mind’. All the hypnotherapist does is allow the conscious mind to relax so that the hypnotherapist can communicate with the unconscious. The answer always lies within the client; the hypnotherapist just helps them to help themselves. However, as it is the unconscious with whom we are speaking, does it matter if the subject consciously believes in the process or not, providing they are willing to give it a try?

Consider this. In recent years, the majority of us have come to accept that the mind is connected to our physical body in more ways than at first thought. This is shown when we experience stress for example. Some people may get spots, others may experience a tightening of the neck and shoulder muscles or some may feel stomach pain or upset. Longer term stress can result in hernias, increased blood pressure, risk of heart disease and even memory problems. Similarly, when we are scared or nervous, it is shown in our physical reactions such as goose bumps, a tightening of the stomach, increased heart rate, sweating or paling of the skin.

Is it therefore too hard to believe that this mind body connection may go even deeper and that other ailments may have their origin in our current situations or earlier experiences?

Certainly, the experiences of many hypnotherapists and their clients would seem to concur with this theory but the deeper we investigate the matters of the mind, the harder it is to prove beyond doubt to the satisfaction of science.

Once upon a time, people believed the earth was flat. Relatively speaking, maybe it was easier to prove that the earth was round. Only time and research will tell.