Subconscious Series: A Creative Response to Hypnotherapy
When someone mentions hypnosis, the image that comes to mind is usually a mysterious man with a pocket watching swinging back and forth. Or maybe you’ve taken a psychology class and recall a lesson on Freud’s failed attempts to master the practice. II’ve come to realize that hypnosis, also referred to as hypnotherapy, is a surprisingly valuable tool for self-growth and awareness.
I knew several people who sought hypnosis to change unhealthy habits, such as smoking or poor sleep hygiene. Everyone I spoke to expressed positive outcomes, however, no one disclosed much about their sessions. Instead, they seemed embarrassed and asked me to keep their hypnosis a secret. I hope that sharing my experiences will raise awareness about hypnotherapy as a healing modality.
“Subconscious”
Queen Ann’s Lace, Achillea, Alyssum, Baby’s Breath, Coreopsis Tinctoria, & Ink
Since I was a young girl, I’ve been unable to break the habit of biting my nails. I’ve tried bitter nail polish, weekly manicures, gum and fidget spinners- nothing seemed to work. Then I came across a Groupon for Creative Hypnosis LLC. I thought to myself: “Why not?” and scheduled my first session over Zoom one week later.
I initially paid for three sessions. I assumed that would be sufficient to help break my nail biting habit. Not only did I under-estimate the time I would spend with my therapist, but I had the misconception that I’d signed up for what I now know to be Suggestive Hypnotherapy. Suggestive Hypnotherapy is a method in which trained hypnotherapists induce a hypnotic state and use suggestion techniques to positively influence patients subconscious. It turned out that only 2 out of my 8 sessions were “Suggestive” based. The majority of the work my therapist and I did was centered around Regression. Regression hypnotherapy involves taking a client back to past events that might have bearing on their current issues. For 60 minutes I was in a deep meditative state, being led through different places and responding to scenarios that were linked to my childhood. It was as if I was watching myself through a dream, but still having a say in what would happen next.
“Self-Soothing”
Alyssum, Achillea, & Ink
Throughout the course of counseling, Regression Therapy was used in tandem with Time Line Therapy, which is based on the idea that our memories are stored in a linear pattern. This method encompasses different techniques used to help release negative emotions tied to past experiences. My mom’s illness was a common theme throughout my sessions, and I quickly discovered that there were memories surrounding my family’s battle with Huntington’s Disease that I had long repressed. My hypnotherapist helped me uncover personal stories, both positive and negative, which helped to explain the person I am today. By re-experiencing past events from my childhood, I began to understand the root causes of my nail biting.
“Somewhere in Ithaca”
Larkspur, Green Leaves, & Ink
I met with my hypnotherapist once a week for two consecutive months. Following each session, I took time to process what I had learned about myself. I found that journaling and making art helped me dive deeper into all of things my subconscious conveniently tucked away. Documenting each session allowed me to make connections I wasn’t able to before, and ultimately provided a new sense of closure and self-awareness.