7 Helpful Tips on Preparing for Your First Hypnotherapy Session

Are you considering hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is a form of therapy that is used to recondition the unconscious mind. In most cases, patients seek hypnotherapy in order to refrain from doing or thinking in a certain way. While some might use hypnotherapy to stop smoking or fight addiction, others might use it to manage mental health or weight.

When it comes to attending your first session, it’s only natural to be fearful. After all, this is an incredibly new experience that likely falls outside of your comfort zone.

If you’re thinking of booking a hypnotherapy session, you’re going to want to read this. We’re uncovering seven helpful tips on preparing for your first hypnotherapy session. In reading these tips beforehand, you’re bound to feel all the more comfortable and confident in attending.

1. Conduct Your Research

First and foremost, it’s time to conduct your research!

There’s no denying that attending your first hypnotherapy appointment can be daunting. The best way to alleviate some of these nerves is to learn as much as possible beforehand. Before attending your first session, you want to have a generalized idea as to how it works and what you can expect.

You’ll also want to learn about the potential outcomes of hypnotherapy. This is a great way to manage your expectations and determine whether hypnotherapy is right for you.

It may be helpful to consider watching a video introduction to hypnotherapy prior to your appointment. While each and every session is different, this will at least give you a basic idea of what to expect.

2. Schedule a Phone Consultation Beforehand

Before you move forward with booking an appointment, it’s always best to schedule a phone consultation.

This consultation will take place with the hypnotherapist and you will discuss how the process works and your generalized expectations. If you’re feeling anxious, your hypnotherapist will be able to answer your questions and relieve some of your concerns.

This is a great time to see if you connect with this hypnotherapist. After all, it’s important to feel a sense of trust and ease when partaking in a hypnotherapy appointment.

It’s also important to prepare yourself to speak about your problem areas during this consultation. It’s essential for your hypnotherapist to know what’s bringing you to hypnotherapy in the first place. Assuming the phone consultation goes well, you can move forward in booking an appointment.

3. Prepare Your Mind

After booking your first appointment, it’s likely you’ll have a waiting period before the appointment arrives.

It’s best to use this time to prepare both yourself and your mind beforehand. When you prepare yourself in advance, it’s all the more likely that you’ll be able to get the most out of your session.

If you have never entered a trance-like state before, the thought of doing so can be overwhelming. To help ease your mind, try reading up on the process beforehand. Once you understand how it works, you’ll feel more comfortable when this eventually takes place.

You can also try engaging in deep breathing sessions prior to your appointment. After all, abdominal breathing for 20-30 minutes each day is known to reduce instances of stress and anxiety.

4. Avoid Stimulants and Substances

Prior to your session, it’s important to avoid all substances and stimulants.

While you might normally have a morning coffee, it’s best to avoid this morning ritual on appointment day. The goal is to show up to your session with a clear mind and as little stimulation as possible.

For those battling addiction, it’s imperative that you avoid your substance of choice on that day. Being one hundred percent sober is absolutely mandatory for your session.

5. Be Honest With Your Hypnotherapist

Next, it’s absolutely crucial to be open and honest with your hypnotherapist.

After all, it’s going to be challenging to achieve your desired results if you’re holding back on certain things.

If you’re attending hypnotherapy to help combat extreme stress, be upfront and honest about the details of your struggles. This information is going to help the hypnotherapist understand the extent of your struggles and how to best counteract them.

Remember, your hypnotherapist is not here to judge you. Instead, they’re here to help you and provide solutions to your problem areas. Each and every patient they see is fighting their own personal battle.

6. Be Open and Ready for Change

When it comes to hypnotherapy, it’s important to remind yourself that there are two parties involved.

While it may be the hypnotherapist’s job to lead the session, it doesn’t stop here. Instead, you need to be co-operative and willing to follow wherever the session might take you.

The truth is, hypnotherapy isn’t going to work unless you want it to work. Both your mind and body need to be prepared for change as well as embrace the potential of change.

It’s imperative that you give your sessions your best effort. Remember, it’s only natural to feel fearful at first. But, allow your trust and confidence in your hypnotherapist to reign over your initial fear.

7. Relax!

At the end of the day, do your best to relax.

When your mind is at ease, hypnotherapy can be an incredibly fascinating and enjoyable experience. You’re also bound to get more out of your session if your body and mind are in relaxation mode.

In order to feel relaxed, it’s essential for you to trust your hypnotherapist. You must feel comfortable and confident that they are here to help you.

Hypnotherapy

We’ve all seen hypnotherapy take place in countless Hollywood films.

Of these films, it’s safe to say that the majority portray hypnotherapy in a playful and generally amusing light. One minute a character is being hypnotized with a pocket watch and the next they’re showing up to class in their underwear.

In truth, hypnotherapy is a highly-skilled form of therapy. While it might seem too good to be true at first, hypnotherapy has helped many people. In fact, research has found that 60 to 70 percent of people are considered to be moderately hypnotizable.

So, if you’re preparing for your first hypnotherapy appointment, be sure to use these tips to guide you. The more comfortable and confident you are going into your session, the better your session will be.

Are you ready to get started? If so, click here to book an appointment today.