Is all hypnotherapy the same?

You’ve probably heard it said before, but hypnotherapy isn’t like what you see in films and on TV. Working with an experienced, qualified hypnotherapist bears little resemblance to the stage hypnotists that many of us have seen perform at some point or another. That means a lot of our common fears about what happens in hypnotherapy – such as being made to do things you don’t want to, experiencing mind control, not remembering what happened during your session, or even being unable to come out of a hypnotic state – can be soothed with just a little bit of research and discussing your hopes and expectations of hypnotherapy with your hypnotherapist before beginning treatment.

Whether you’re considering trying hypnotherapy or are just interested in learning more, it’s important to know that hypnotherapy can be an incredibly versatile tool that can help you in many different ways. But knowing where to start? That can feel a little overwhelming.

We share five popular types of hypnotherapy and how they can help you.

Solution focused hypnotherapy

What is it? Focusing on achieving positive change, rather than on the problem that may be affecting you, solution focused hypnotherapy uses practical strategies to achieve change in a short period of time. While many other forms of therapy and hypnotherapy involve looking into your past to try and identify the root cause of issues you may be currently facing, solution focused hypnotherapy instead centres around your present situation and future.

A key component is to set specific, concrete, realistic goals for your future. Then, your hypnotherapist will use questioning techniques that can help the solutions to your problems become more obvious. This allows you to identify actionable steps you can begin taking, helping you to reach your goal.

As hypnotherapist Michele Lazarus explains, solution focused therapy can be a powerful, effective way of changing how we think.

“The solution-focused approach is a powerful method to help us shift our perspective and ways of thinking about our situation. As its title suggests, it concentrates on solutions and ways forward, as opposed to dwelling on our problems.

The solution-focused approach is a powerful method to help us shift our perspective and ways of thinking about our situation. As its title suggests, it concentrates on solutions and ways forward, as opposed to dwelling on our problems.

– Hypnotherapist Michele Lazarus explains more about solution focused hypnotherapy.

“Rather than analysing issues of the past, it has a future orientation, asking questions such as how do you want things to change? What will life be like when things are different and you are where you want to be? Once we imagine how we’d like to change, what our goals are, then we can identify the small steps we can take towards making them a reality and building a positive future.”

At its heart, solution focused hypnotherapy revolves around the idea that you have the strength and resources to solve your own problems. Your hypnotherapist is there to primarily prompt and guide you as you undertake your journey.

What can it help with? Solution focused hypnotherapy can help with a wide variety of problems. However, it can be particularly helpful for those who may be struggling with anxiety, or issues that can be exacerbated by anxiety such as stress, phobias, or IBS. If you struggle with low self-confidence or negative self-talk, this can also have a positive impact in helping you change your mentality towards a more positive, proactive mindset.

Hypno-psychotherapy 

What is it? A type of hypnotherapy that can help you to deal with deep-seated problems, hypno-psychotherapy is a relaxation-based therapy that can be integrated with other forms of treatment, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), or mindfulness. The idea is that by combining approaches, a professional hypno-psychotherapist can help you to address deeper problems, such as trauma or abuse, through creating a supportive and empathetic professional relationship.

It’s important to create an environment that feels comfortable, safe, and supportive, to explore issues in your sessions.

What does it help with? Hypno-psychotherapy can be particularly helpful in helping you to manage pain, stress-related worries and anxiety, as well as to overcome unwanted or unhelpful habits and boost confidence. It is recommended for issues that may not be helped with hypnotherapy alone, but can also be a useful tool for changing unwanted habits, improving sports performance and increasing concentration.

Past life regression

What is it? A technique that uses hypnosis to recover memories of past lives, past life regression is thought to be a way of explaining who we are now through exploring and uncovering stories from our past lives. Based on the idea that how we react and respond to problems we face today, due to past lived experiences, past life regression works with you in mind, body, emotion, and spirit. By doing this, many hope to discover the root causes of issues that may be affecting them now.

What does it help with? While some people try past life regression out of curiosity, others use it as a tool for personal growth and healing. Having a specific intention in mind can help you to get the most out of your sessions, as this can offer a more clear context to understand and process what you experience. Areas that people find can be particularly helped through this type of hypnotherapy include addressing recurring nightmares or vivid dreams, dealing with relationship issues, feelings of being stuck in a rut, unexplained phobias and fears, as well as repeated feelings of deja vu.

Rapid Transformational Therapy® (RTT)

What is it? A form of hypnotherapy that offers fast, permanent change in just one to three sessions, RTT® combines elements of hypnotherapy with psychotherapy, NLP, CBT, and neuroscience. Using a mixture of trance, regression, and hypnotic conditioning, RTT aims to teach individuals how they can communicate with their subconscious mind to access and address issues that may be holding them back, causing unwanted behaviour or reactions.

Through directly accessing your subconscious, this approach allows you to change and challenge your perceptions on a deeper level, helping you to make new, positive suggestions to replace negative or unwanted thoughts and behaviours.

Clinical hypnotherapy and RTT therapist, Katarina Luksic, explains more about Rapid Transformational Therapy.

“The name itself reveals what this unique school of hypnotherapy offers: permanent and fast transformation. Fast? It means that the client needs only one to three sessions to fix the issue – for good. The main reason why RTT hypnotherapy is extraordinarily effective is because of its techniques and the structure of the session. The session is about 90 to 120 minutes long.

“RTT uses regression in order to get to the core of the issue. It is extremely important that the client gains the understanding of why the issue developed in the first place and why it still persists in their life. Only after that can they really move on.”

What does it help with? Often used to help people improve their performance in sports, performing arts, as well as in their careers, Rapid Transformational Therapy® can also help boost your overall confidence and sense of well-being. It can also help with overcoming specific issues you may be struggling with, such as feelings of anxiety, depression, or panic attacks.

Time Line Therapy™

What is it? Time Line Therapy™, also known as Timeline Therapy™ or TLT is derived from NLP. Based on the idea that your unconscious mind stores memories in a linear pattern – essentially, a mental photo album of your life – working with a Time Line therapist can help you to let go of negative emotions and limiting beliefs that are linked with past experiences, allowing for better mind-body health and long-term transformation.

What does it help with? Helping you to learn from past events and discover how you can use these experiences to create a more positive future, Time Line Therapy™ can help with tackling the emotions surrounding past experiences, such as anger, hurt, regret, fear, sadness, and guilt. By working through past experiences, it is thought that you can work through limiting beliefs that may be preventing you from moving forward and living your best life.

One of the main advantages of TLT is that instead of talking about the problem week after week, you get to do something about it.

It can be particularly helpful in working through issues such as anger problems, moving on from dwelling on past events, resolving ongoing negative emotional issues or feelings, as well as with easing stress and anxiety-related problems.

As one hypnotherapist explains, Time Line Therapy™ “enables you to clear limiting beliefs that can leave you stuck in the past and stop you from creating what you want in your life. Unwanted negative emotions and believes influence every area of our lives.

“One of the main advantages of TLT is that instead of talking about the problem week after week, you get to do something about it.”

Want to learn more about hypnotherapy? Find out more about the different types of hypnotherapy available, how different ways of using hypnotherapy can help you, and what you can expect from a session with a qualified hypnotherapist.

If you’re ready to start working with a hypnotherapist, you can use our advanced search to find the right professional for you. Offering sessions in-person, online, and via telephone appointments, experienced, qualified hypnotherapists are available to help with a wide variety of issues.