Hypnotherapy & NLP

What is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is a form of guided hypnosis used for therapeutic purposes. It involves entering a deeply relaxed, focused mental state (called a trance) to help someone access their subconscious mind.

Common uses of hypnotherapy:

• Breaking habits (e.g., smoking, nail-biting)
• Managing anxiety and stress
• Improving sleep (insomnia)
• Weight loss
• Reducing chronic pain
• Building confidence
• Dealing with past trauma or phobias

How it works:

A hypnotherapist guides the person into a trance state, where the critical conscious mind is quieted, and the subconscious mind becomes more receptive to suggestions. These suggestions are aimed at helping change patterns of thinking or behaviour.

Despite popular media depictions, people under hypnosis are not unconscious or under someone’s control — they remain aware and in control.

What is NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming)?

NLP is a set of psychological techniques and models that explore the connection between:

• Neuro (how we think)
• Linguistic (how we use language)
• Programming (how we structure thoughts and behaviors)

It was developed in the 1970s by Richard Bandler and John Grinder.

Common applications of NLP:

• Changing limiting beliefs
• Improving communication
• Building confidence
• Resolving internal conflict
• Sales and persuasion
• Therapy and coaching

Examples of NLP techniques:

• Anchoring – Associating a specific emotion with a physical action (e.g., pressing your thumb and finger together to feel confident).
• Swish pattern – Changing how you picture a negative behavior to make it less compelling.
• Reframing – Changing the meaning you give to a situation.
• Mirroring – Subtly copying body language to build rapport.

NLP is not hypnosis, but it can be combined with hypnotherapy. It works more consciously by helping you reprogram how you think and respond.

Hypnotherapy vs NLP – Key Differences