Overcoming addiction and trauma - a research study

Over recent years, I have noticed that some of my clients are actually psychiatrists and psychotherapists; people who work in the same field as I do - therapy. They have had countless hours of psychotherapy themselves for a variety of issues, as well as for their own professional development and regulated supervision sessions.

I soon began to realise, and thus question, that if psychiatrists and psychotherapists were actively seeking out myself, a clinical hypnotherapist, then perhaps my own specialism and indeed hypnotherapy was able to offer something much more than they could offer themselves, and others, from their own field of therapy.

In addition to this, professionally, I have my own connections with two colleagues, both psychiatrists (one living in Norway, and the other in Sweden), who are now qualified hypnotherapists in their own rights, choosing the latter as their preferred form of therapy for treating their patients in their respective countries. So, I decided to research the matter further and to delve deeper into this area to find out exactly why this is.

I came across an article in The American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis entitled: ‘A Comparative Study of Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy in the Treatment of Methadone Addicts’ (American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis Vol. 26, Issue 4). The link to the full article may be found below.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00029157.1984.10402575

I mostly work with clients suffering from such issues, with my specialisms being addiction, trauma (PTSD), depression, and anxiety; and so knowing about this field meant that considering this comparison and study might help me explain, and thus inform the general public further, the benefits and differences between the two types of therapy.

The experiment consisted of a control group and an experimental group, with the latter group receiving hypnotherapy. The conclusion to the study highlighted a far greater success rate for recovering drug addicts who had hypnotherapy, as opposed to those only receiving psychotherapy. The hypnotherapy group experienced less pain, less discomfort, and had a significantly higher number of successful drug withdrawals at the six-month follow-up meeting/appointment (94%).

However, no real reason was given as to why this was the case. Having been a clinical hypnotherapist for many years now, and having worked with hundreds of clients, my empirical evidence demonstrates 100% success, exactly in-line with what the study proves.

However, as all good hypnotherapists know, legally, by law, I can never guarantee a client a 100% success, despite knowing this 100% success rate deep down to be the case. So, how do we as professionals inform the general public as to the benefits of hypnotherapy? I work with clients from hospitals, residential and rehab centres, and also individuals and private clients recommended to me from their friends, family, and colleagues all over the world.

My belief is that the best way to inform people is by continued good practice, delivering client success, professionalism and integrity, and amazing, awe-inspiring results! Changed and transformed lives speak much louder than anything else.

Later this year, I will be endeavouring to undertake my own research project to take this evidence and research one step further. I do believe that scientific research and best practice is one way of enabling the general public to be adequately and accurately informed of the biological, neurological, mental, emotional, and physical effects, benefits, and outcomes of clinical hypnotherapy.

Illnesses, and related issues, such as addiction, trauma, PTSD, anxiety and depression, can all be effectively treated and resolved, enabling people to get back onto the road of recovery towards a future of health, wellness, and mental well-being.

If you would like to find out more about my future research project, please do not hesitate to get in touch.