How many hypnotherapy sessions do I need? This is a question I’m asked all the time.It’s really difficult to give a simple answer. The bottom line is that Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy is designed to make a difference quickly to problems that can have been deeply rooted in you for over 50 years.
The top line is this:
. What do you want to fix?
Some challenges like, say, a spider phobia or fear of heights may take only a couple of session.
. How long has the problem been around?
If you’re in your 50s and you are still carrying a sense of low self-esteem based on something that happened to you as a child. It might take some ‘digging out’.
. How much time to you have to make changes?
Example. You’re flying away next week and you’ve buried your head in the sand about your fear of flying we can still make a difference.
. How committed are you to make a change?
Is this change your idea, or has someone suggested it to you. Are you simply ‘going along’ to please others?
Saving on time and money and sessions.
Usually when you ask how many hypnotherapy sessions do I need? It’s worth considering that hypnotherapy verses the more traditional psychotherapies may well save on the number of sessions you need.
Firstly, hypnotherapists deal directly with the subconscious mind, usually the root of all change and the place where problems are stored. Because it works on a subconscious level, hypnotherapy can often produce faster results, so less sessions, and lower cost.
Reportedly, hypnosis has a 93% success rate with less sessions than both behavioural and psychotherapy, according to research studies. This led researchers to believe that for changing habits, thought patterns, and actual behaviour hypnosis was not only the most effective method but that it needed less time/sessions than other forms of therapy. (Alfred A. Barrios/1970).
Accept you’re different.
You may know someone who stopped smoking in one session, but you may need two or three. Or vive versa.
The results are really down to the individual.
Someone who is really motivated for change will probably use less sessions than someone who is ambivalent.
And there’s the intangible chemistry. Seeing a hypnotherapist you really gel with will also make a difference to how effective the treatment can be.
However, if you have a strong desire and commitment to change, a good hypnotherapist will help you to make changes on the shortest possible time.
Examples of the numbers of sessions you may need.
Now I’ve framed the question of ‘How many hypnotherapy sessions do I need?’ I’ll trying be more specific to give you a better idea to when you ask how many hypnotherapy sessions do I need?
Becoming a non-smoker – for most people 3-4 sessions
Although I need to caveat this. It depends on how deep rooted your habit is. So in the case of someone who smokes 20 cigarettes a day, they will need 3-4 sessions to be able to become a non-smoker. It’s simply replacing a bad habit for a good one.
However, someone who smokes 100 cigarettes a day (yes, they do exist), they may need therapeutic hypnosis to go and look for the underlying cause of such a devastating habit. That’s going to take more sessions.
• Reduce your weight – 4 sessions
As above. It depends on the underlying cause. Is it a recent, work, or relationship based bad eating habit? Or are we looking to end a life time of bad food choices based on an event in childhood?
• Resolve anxiety and beat stress – 2 - 4 sessions
Yet again it depends how deep and serious this. And how long you’ve left this before we work on you stress and anxieties.
• Speak confidently in public – 2 - 3 sessions
This depends on your personality but, on the whole, if you’re confident in all other things, this is quickly solved.
• Enjoy flying – 3 - 4 sessions
I’ve said 3 - 4 here. It can be as little as two.
• Experience happy, natural childbirth – 4 sessions
I’m a qualified hypnobirther. We look at getting pregnant, enjoying the birth for a better ‘Golden Hour’ and feeling good once the birth has happened.
• Let go of phobias – 2 - 4 sessions
Spiders, needles, heights, vomiting, rollercoasters can all be dealt with usually quite straightforwardly.
• Improve your memory and pass examinations – 2 sessions
Using relaxation techniques and visualisation I can help with driving tests, HGVs, 11+ exams, GCSEs, Oxbridge entry, stage fright, performance anxiety for musicians and grade exams. These skills can even be used for sports performance.
• Enjoy better quality sleep – 3 - 4 sessions
There are various things we can look at. Removing underlying stresses. Not worrying about sleep as you get older (men after a certain age are always getting up for a wee, women can get menopausal flushes).
• Increase motivation and fitness – 2 - 4 sessions
I can help you get out of bed first thing to goo for, say, you 5k. train for a marathon, an Iron Man, or just believe in yourself and get going.
• Have healthier sexual relationships – 4 sessions
See my blog.
Overcome addictions – 4+ sessions
This can be tricky. I can’t do this alone. You have to tell friends and family you need help. And get others involved like a trainer or coach. I can then help you form healthy habits and believe in yourself.
• Improve your self-esteem and confidence – 2-4 sessions.
Hypnotherapy shows great results for this. Removing doubt, procrastination, perfectionism and letting you see yourself for what you are: good enough already. It’s just bringing it to the fore. And working on the saying of Marcus Aurelius, “I cannot control how others think feel or act, but I can control my response”. And this is best executed calmly, hence the hypnotherapy.
