Medical Hypnosis

Medical Hypnosis is a part of modern hypnotherapy and encompasses any intervention in trance that contributes to the reduction of pain or stress. The guideline in modern hypnotherapy is that for pain complaints, one should always first contact their general practitioner. Hypnotherapy can help when no medical cause is found. In the guidelines of the Dutch College of General Practitioners (NHG), hypnotherapy is recognized as an effective treatment option for IBS.

Hypnotherapy is a form of therapy that utilizes trance. A hypnotic trance is a state of deep relaxation, a changed state of consciousness. It involves receptive concentration in which thoughts and sensations are filtered. Neuroimaging studies show that during a hypnotic trance, different brain areas are activated compared to ordinary wakefulness. The 'self-awareness network' in the brain is much more dominant during trance, while the 'environmental awareness network' is significantly less active. External stimuli are therefore less important at that moment. In hypnotherapy, we refer to this state of being as being ‘in contact with the unconscious.’

Metaphorically, consciousness is the tip of the iceberg, and the entire mountain of knowledge beneath the water's surface represents the unconscious. The unconscious can be seen as a collection of all the experiences you have accumulated. Body and mind are not separate; they interact with each other continuously. Our unconscious strongly influences our behavior, thinking, and feelings. Through trance, you can come into contact with parts of yourself that you are not consciously aware of. These parts relate to the issue for which you seek an answer. You learn to listen to yourself in a different way. The unconscious feelings and beliefs come into view. In this way, new insights can emerge, helping to solve the problem, make it more manageable, or contribute to achieving your goals.

Using hypnotherapy, beliefs can be changed, emotions can be released, patterns can be broken, internal resources can be 'tapped into,' and (brain) connections can be altered and improved. You can experience what reality can become (by 'stepping' into a future situation in trance), so you can freely practice what your desired situation looks like and feels like. By first practicing something in trance, it can be executed with less effort in everyday reality.

The therapist is a guide in the therapeutic process and uses various methods and techniques. Modern hypnotherapy incorporates psychoanalytic and behavioral methods, as well as talk therapy. In modern hypnotherapy, the approach is tailored to you, and you can clearly remember what happened during the session afterward. A treatment plan is customized within the therapeutic process, as each person is different.

Van der Wardt, E. in the Journal of the Dutch Professional Association of Hypnotherapists, special issue on Medical Hypnosis, Volume 35 | 2019/2021. Article 'A Plea for Hypnotherapy'.