During a recent 5k run-up and down the Devon hills, I reminded myself that all hypnosis is self-hypnosis! As I struggled to keep going, it became apparent that my thoughts were optimistic about the downhill parts of the run and negative about the uphill parts, which prompted me to change my thinking and use my strong and vivid imagination! With a quick re-frame, I used my imagination to envisage that the steeper parts were a lot easier than I had expected. I also imagined that it was getting easier and easier with each step until I had reached the top of the hill with greater ease. Roy Hunter (The Art of Hypnotherapy, 2017) maintains, “It is positive imagining that gets results – not just positive thinking”.
You are in control
Although this is one example of a personal experience of how all hypnosis is self-hypnosis, it could be reassuring for those considering giving hypnotherapy a try, that they are in control and in the driving seat of their experiences. Another example could be that whilst focusing on an absorbing conversation, you might zone out and block other sounds and distractions, allowing your mind to shift conscious awareness beneficially. Charles Tebbetts (as quoted in Hunter, 2017) states that as a hypnotherapist, I simply facilitate a client’s innate power and ability to make changes using guided self-hypnosis. By following the client’s direction during the consultation and with some guidance, the client can use their imagination, which connects to the subconscious mind and enables acceptance of positive, beneficial suggestions.
Hypnosis “is the acceptance of a suggestion” (Chris Fleet, 2021). Therefore, if all hypnosis is self-hypnosis, we can learn to self-guide, accept positive suggestions, and re-direct our focus in ways that can be life-changing. An example of this could be that I may use a technique called ‘coping to mastery’, which initially directs the client whilst in hypnosis to imagine their worst-case scenario situation playing out on a screen before them …. Then, the client is guided to re-play the scenario several times until they deal with their chosen situation perfectly; the client is the director of their own experience and can embody their new approach by allowing the good feelings to embed deep within them. To reinforce the positive experience and ‘anchor’ in the beneficial changes, a suggestion would be offered with something as simple as pressing the thumb and forefinger together.
Your preferred outcome
The ‘anchor’ can then be employed as required when faced with the concerning situation to connect with their ‘improved self/response’ and direct the experience towards a preferred outcome.
The examples discussed shine a light on how all hypnosis is self-hypnosis. I consider that overcoming my personal struggle to run up and down hills by using my imagination is self-hypnosis, and it works for me! I hope to help you discover your own examples of how it might work for you with similar benefits. Henry Ford (1947) proposed, “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you are right.” However, I prefer Roy Hunter’s version that it’s the imagination that gets results.
I offer Hypnotherapy sessions in Kingsbridge, Totnes and online »
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Hunter, C. R. (2017). The art of hypnotherapy. Crown House Pub Limited.
Chris Fleet – Devon School of Hypnotherapy, Paignton, Devon
