Subconscious Series: A Creative Response to Hypnotherapy
When someone mentions hypnosis, I wouldn’t be surprised if the first image that comes to mind is of a stranger clucking around like a chicken on stage. Or maybe you’ve taken a psychology class and recall a brief lesson on Freud’s failed attempts to master the practice. In the last few months, I’ve come to realize that hypnosis, also referred to as hypnotherapy, can actually be an extremely valuable and life-changing tool.
Over the years I’ve known several friends and family members who have sought hypnosis in the hopes of changing unhealthy habits. I have an uncle, for example, who attended several sessions to help him kick his cigarette habit, and a close friend who worked with a hypnotherapist to improve her sleep hygiene after suffering from insomnia. While each of them had very different reasons for seeking this type of treatment, the outcomes were basically the same: all claimed to have experienced positive results, and ultimately achieved what they set out for after just two or three sessions.
Oddly enough, none of my friends or family members disclosed much about their experiences. They instead seemed embarrassed and asked me to keep their hypnosis a secret. I suppose this is why I never gave hypnotherapy much thought or considered it to be a healing modality- until recently.
“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 it all: bitter nail polish, weekly manicures, spending hard-earned money on gum and fidget spinners- nothing seemed to work prior to coming across a Groupon for Creative Hypnosis LLC. I thought to myself: “Why the hell not?” and one week later I was filling out a lengthy intake form and scheduling my first session over Zoom.
Initially, I figured I’d pay for three sessions then be on my merry way, never to bite my nails again! Not only was I dead wrong about this, but I was also under 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. While some of my sessions did involve this hypnotic approach, it turned out that only 2 out of my 8 sessions were “Suggestive” based. The majority of the work my therapist and I did together was centered around Regression. Regression hypnotherapy involves taking a client back in their mind to past events that might have some bearing on their current issues. For 60 minutes I was in a deep meditative state, being led through different places and responding to multiple different scenarios that were all 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 total 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 many 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 accessing and 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 the time I needed 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. Using art and journaling to document each session over-time allowed me to make connections I wasn’t able to before, and ultimately provided me with a new-found sense of closure and self-awareness.