Treating depression with hypnosis

What happens when you have a client that is so severely depressed they are unable to effectively motivate themselves to produce the homework you set them or focus their attention on cognitive questioning? Unfortunately, with some clients this is the reality of depression which quite often can be present with or be the byproduct of anxiety. Whilst cognitive behavior therapy is the psychotherapy choice of treatment for this condition, little is researched into the effectiveness of using hypnosis with depressed patients. American psychotherapist Dr Michael Yapko has written several books and training courses on how we can successfully use hypnotic interventions with depressive illness. Although CBT is a highly effective treatment for depressive disorders, hypnosis can certainly support the client particularly to bypass the severe anxiety and negative thinking styles that lead to paralyzed thinking and inactivity. Hypnosis works by reprogramming negative ways of thinking that can lead to anxiety and depressed thoughts. The outcomes of hypnotherapy treatment can include feeling more motivated, feeling more relaxed and being able to concentrate and orientate to towards the future instead of the past. The magical quality of hypnosis is in its ability to communicate with the unconscious mind where we store all of the negative thoughts that influence our feelings and behaviors. I have seen many clients who after just a few sessions of hypnosis are wondering why they no longer feel bad and can start to look forward to the future instead of living in the past. Although hypnosis is not a magic wand over time if used skillfully by an experienced therapist, it can yield positive results.

For more information on how hypnosis can be used with depression see Dr Michael Yapko's article below on treating hypnosis in treating symptoms and risk.


Hypnosis in Treating Symptoms and Risk - by Dr Micheal Yapko