The short answer to this is yes!  And the research backs this up.  The reason hypnotherapy is so effective for helping us to feel less anxious is that, with hypnosis, we bypass the conscious thought process and make the changes in the subconscious mind, where the anxiety actually comes from.

We all know what it is like to feel worried about something, but what is anxiety?  How does it feel for you?  There are obviously different levels of anxiety, and one of the questions I always ask clients is to give me a number out of 10 to gauge where their anxiety sits.  I suggest that 10 is a panic attack, and anything above 5 can feel destabilising.  Below 5 is more manageable and, where most of us would like our anxiety to be.

When we feel anxious, our minds are grasping for control and trying to shield us from perceived dangers.  It generates this feeling of anxiety as a reaction to a trigger; however, if left unchecked, it can create a fight or flight response, which can feel very frightening and may do more harm than good.

No one wants to feel anxious, and if they could stop it, they would. However, consciously analysing and using logic will not be an effective way to overcome it because the change needs to happen in the subconscious.

How hypnotherapy can help with anxiety

The subconscious mind is the part that influences most of our daily actions and feelings; it houses all our learned behaviours, responses, fears, phobias, and anxieties. It is programmed from birth through our experiences, which explain why we often respond in the same ways as we always have. These neural pathways are well-established and reinforced over time through both positive and negative life experiences. With hypnosis (a trance-like state we guide you into), we can reprogram the subconscious with a preferred response, like feeling safe, calm and in control.  We reassure the subconscious that there is no threat, and therefore, a different behaviour and response would be more effective for you. So when the triggers come, the preferred response will override the anxiety and hypervigilance and, as a result, you will gain power over your anxiety for good.

During a hypnotherapy session, we discuss what you want to achieve. As you relax, you will naturally tune out distracting thoughts and emotions, focusing instead on soothing and calming feelings. At this stage, your subconscious becomes very receptive to the positive suggestions you consciously desire and need. We can quieten that anxious voice of doubt within your subconscious and help you trust your instincts and judgment, making you feel more confident and empowered moving forward. You will gain perspective, which will help you realise that whatever caused this anxiety, or any past events, do not need to trouble you now or in the future. There are healthier ways to think and feel!

I came to Lizzie suffering badly from anxiety and over-thinking. I noticed a difference after just one online session and after a couple felt completely renewed and more equipped to manage my anxiety and over-thinking. I am now able to stop it before it consumes me and it no longer dictates my actions and thoughts. I also did BWRT with Lizzie to tackle negative relationships and bad experiences that I had gone through both as a child and adult. I feel so much calmer and would highly recomment Lizzie to anyone seeking support’ ~ Charlotte, 29, Windsor, Berkshire.

I was struggling with anxiety surrounding a health issue, so I picked up the phone and called Lizzie. It was the best thing I could have done. Lizzie tailor made sessions for me using a range of hypnotherapy, BWRT and EFT and I’m already feeling so much better with lots of tools to help me should I need them in the future. Thank you Lizzie for helping me to feel like me again ~ Ann, Windsor, Berkshire.

Sources:

Scientific Evidence for the effectiveness of hypnotherapy by N Jeffery, published in the Hypnotherapy Directory

Hypnotherapy has shown potential in alleviating anxiety and stress-related disorders. Research published in the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis reported significant reductions in anxiety and improved coping mechanisms among participants who underwent hypnotherapy.

Close your eyes and relax:  the role of hypnosis in reducing anxiety, and its implications for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, published in Frontiers in Psychology

A review of the evidence suggests that hypnosis and hypnotherapy are effective in treating anxiety and may positively affect the heart and the cardiovascular system, reducing sympathetic activation and increasing parasympathetic tone, potentially preventing the onset of CVD related to increased sympathetic activation.