Clinical Hypnosis

At Seed Psychology when hypnosis is used as a form of treatment, it is usually in combination with other forms of psychological therapies. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is often the main treatment adjunct. This allows for the development of psychological skills to manage difficulties, with additional benefits associated with the hypnotic component. For an individual who wishes to cease smoking or manage chronic pain for example, we may use hypnosis combined with behavioural and psychological strategies to maximize treatment effectiveness.

Psychologists at Seed Psychology who use this form of treatment have undergone training in the clinical application of hypnosis and are Associate Members of the Australian Society of Hypnosis (ASH). This is the only form of training recognized by the Australian Psychological Society and has rigorous ethical and training guidelines.

If you wish to make an appointment for hypnosis, our psychologists will discuss treatment aims and assess suitability for this approach during your first session.

If you wish to read further about hypnosis and the types of difficulties it can be used for, please see the information below.

What is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a state of inner absorption, concentration and focused attention; when our mind is concentrated and focused, we are able to use it more powerfully.

While there is general agreement that certain effects of hypnosis exist, there are differences of opinion within the research and clinical communities about how hypnosis works. Some researchers believe that hypnosis can be used by individuals to the degree they possess a hypnotic trait, much as they have traits associated with height, body size, hair color, etc. Other professionals who study and use hypnosis believe there are strong cognitive and interpersonal components that affect an individual's response to hypnotic environments and suggestions.

Practitioners use clinical hypnosis in three main ways. First, they encourage the use of imagination. Mental imagery is very powerful, especially in a focused state of attention.
A second basic hypnotic method is to present ideas or suggestions. In a state of concentrated attention, ideas and suggestions that are compatible with individual goals seem to have a more powerful impact on the mind.

Finally, hypnosis may be used for unconscious exploration, to better understand underlying motivations or identify whether past events or experiences are associated with causing a problem. Hypnosis avoids the critical censor of the conscious mind, which often defeats what we know to be in our best interests. The effectiveness of hypnosis appears to lie in the way in which it bypasses the interference of the conscious mind, allowing intentions for change to take effect.

Common uses of Hypnosis in Psychological Treatment

  • Anxiety and stress management;
  • Depression;
  • Bed-wetting (enuresis);
  • Sports and athletic performance;
  • Smoking cessation;
  • Obesity and weight control;
  • Pain management
  • Sexual dysfunctions;
  • Sleep disorders;
  • Concentration difficulties and test anxiety.