Conversational Hypnotherapy

(in English, French or Arabic)

It is a therapy where both the patient and hypnotherapist are actively working together, to help the patient regain control of their emotions, pain and life. We work on phobias, stress, depression, unhealed grieving, and traumas. Mind Minders hypnotherapy technique insures no pain suffered by the client.

In fact, we unknowingly go under hypnosis in our daily life. When are absent minded we experience a hypnotic trance, although we are fully awake. This is what hypnosis is all about: to be day dreaming but fully awake at the same time.

Our conversational hypnotherapist is certified from the Belgian Institute of Milton Erickson. Through this technique, we help the patient go into a modified conscious state, between awakening and sleeping, closer to what we know as ‘having one’s head in the clouds’.

Our therapy sessions are generally quite short in number, each session lasts between 45 minutes and an hour.

When we go through a painful event like an accident or a catastrophe, the mind automatically goes under hypnosis to protect itself, paralyzed by the event. During the hypnotherapy session, the patient is helped go back to that event to replace the painful memories with positive ones and by doing so, we change the negative impact of the trauma.

The therapist adjusts the session according to the patient, as the patient controls the session, not the therapist. The technique used is called PTR, which in French stands for ‘Psychothérapie du trauma réassociative’.

When to use PTR?

The PTR hypnosis is useful for all kinds of traumas and other painful psychological experiences (accident, sexual abuse, mourning, aggression…) but it can also help heal many other psychological disorders like phobias, anxieties, fears, psychosomatic diseases, sexual problems, lack of self-confidence, children’s or adults’ nightmares, as well as stress at school among other things. It can also be used as a preparation to a surgery, childbirth or a competition.

How PTR hypnotherapy works:

When an unbearable event occurs like strong fear, the victim finds him/herself in a modified conscious state, or hypnosis, that makes them store the pain and emotions of the event in their subconscious mind. This post-traumatic stress disorder happens similarly with road accident or aggression victims who, sometimes, do not remember at all or partially what happened (after a trauma, the victim develops different forms of protection like amnesia, anaesthesia, physical or emotional dissociation, catalepsy, psychosomatic reactions …). Nevertheless, these protections can become, later on, harmful as the events and the trauma are imprinted in their subconscious mind and remain there forever leaving the victim with many symptoms : psychosomatic diseases, guilt, depression, phobia, anxiety, nightmares, addiction to alcohol or drugs, self-mutilations…

The practice of hypnosis is modifying the stored painful emotions in the patient’s subconscious mind, by utilizing the patient’s own defense mechanism engaging their own imagination. This modification is established in a soft and creative way that is characteristic to the patient’s culture and personal references. The patient is then able to regain control of their autonomous nervous system which controls the body’s automatic reactions like sleep, digestion, emotions, psychosomatic diseases etc.

Concisely:

The therapist dedicates time to creating the anamnesis, which is the patient’s medical or psychiatric history recounted in their own words. The therapist facilitates the patient’s entry into hypnosis by initiating recollection of a positive moment, such as a holiday, a walk in a park, or a family gathering.

This chosen positive moment holds significant importance, serving as a secure refuge for the patient throughout the therapy. It becomes the focal point where the hypnotherapist guides the patient back in case of any emotional distress during the sessions.

Active engagement with the patient is crucial. The therapist encourages the patient to reject suggestions that may be too distressing or inappropriate for them.

Once the patient has comfortably settled into their chosen positive moment, the therapist gradually introduces elements related to the trauma, modifying them to desensitize the patient.

 Hypnotherapy as a Catalyst for Change

Ericksonian Hypnotherapy, named after the renowned psychiatrist and psychotherapist Milton H. Erickson, places language at the forefront of therapeutic transformation. Unlike traditional hypnosis, Ericksonian Hypnotherapy employs indirect suggestion, metaphor, and storytelling to communicate with the subconscious mind. This approach acknowledges the uniqueness of each individual, tailoring interventions to match the client’s cognitive and emotional landscape.

The utilization of metaphorical language is a distinctive feature of Ericksonian Hypnotherapy. Metaphors serve as powerful tools to convey therapeutic messages indirectly, allowing the subconscious mind to interpret and integrate the information in a way that resonates with the individual’s personal experiences. This method not only enhances receptivity but also empowers clients to access their inner resources and discover new perspectives.

A Holistic Therapeutic Approach

When combined, PTR and Ericksonian Hypnotherapy form a synergistic alliance, addressing both the conscious and subconscious aspects of an individual’s psyche. The introspective journey facilitated by PTR is complemented by the language-centric, client-centered approach of Ericksonian Hypnotherapy.

Benefits for Clients:

1. Deeper Understanding: The combination of PTR and Ericksonian Hypnotherapy allows clients to gain a deeper understanding of their challenges, fostering awareness of the interconnections between past experiences and present behaviors.
2. Empowerment Through Language: Ericksonian Hypnotherapy empowers clients through language, offering a unique avenue for self-discovery and personal transformation.
3. Resolution of Unconscious Patterns: By integrating these modalities, therapists can guide clients in resolving unconscious patterns and creating lasting positive change.
4. Enhanced Coping Strategies: Clients acquire enhanced coping strategies and resources, promoting resilience and emotional well-being.