Many evidence supports that mindfulness-based therapies, such as mindfulness-based stress reduction or mindfulness-based cognitive therapy can be efficacious in the reduction of stress and anxiety symptoms. Hypnotherapy is also a scientifically proven treatment that has already shown its effectiveness in stress, pain and anxiety reduction and other related psychological issues for centuries.
Mindful hypnotherapy is a new treatment where two, already effective therapies to reduce stress and anxiety, are combined. Mindfulness and Hypnotherapy.
This is because mindfulness is based on the focused attention meditation, and the awareness on the present moment, and hypnosis is a deeper focused attention which involves mental imagery, deep relaxation and suggestions for symptom reduction.
The research that was done in eight weekly, 1-hour sessions of mindful hypnotherapy, has shown that combining these two treatments are not only highly efficacious, but they are more time and cost-effective, easier to use and more comforting. This means that we can have great results in reducing stress and anxiety in our life in much shorter time.
“Many theories posit that a hypnotic induction facilitates internal focus and openness to suggestion with relaxing imagery providing a safe and peaceful mental environment to experience mindfulness throughout the session. Additionally, hypnotic suggestions for mindfulness-based concepts, such as present moment awareness and non-judgmental acceptance, work synergistically to facilitate an individual’s ability to focus and relax more easily without criticism.”
When we learn and practice mindfulness and hypnotherapy in the therapy session, we will realise how easy they are to use and incorporate them in our everyday routine.
Journal Reference: Nicholas Olendzki, Gary R. Elkins, Elizabeth Slonena, Julia Hung, Joshua R. Rhodes. Mindful Hypnotherapy to Reduce Stress and Increase Mindfulness: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 2020; 68 (2): 151 DOI: 10.1080/00207144.2020.1722028