Genuine hypnosis with a psychotherapist

Genuine hypnosis – professionally and personally guided

Perhaps you are wondering: Is this genuine hypnosis? Yes. In my practice, I work with hypnosis psychotherapy (Hypnosepsychotherapie), a psychotherapeutic method recognised in Austria. Together, we direct your attention inwards and work with inner images, feelings and therapeutic suggestions. You do not need to feel powerless or completely out of it for hypnotic work to be possible. We discuss together what you experience and what helps you.

What distinguishes professional hypnosis is the combination of psychotherapeutic qualifications, careful assessment and support that is tailored to you. You can find information about its recognition from the Austrian Ministry of Health: Forms of therapeutic hypnosis.

You remain in control – and discover new possibilities

Perhaps this is familiar: Your mind has long been saying, “Everything is fine”, yet the fear still makes itself felt. Such reactions often happen unconsciously and are difficult to change through thinking alone. Hypnosis offers a way of accessing this inner experience. The aim is to gain more influence over your feelings, inner images and automatic reactions – not to hand control over to me.

I hand you the brush. You paint the picture. I support you with my experience and offer suggestions. What emerges is shaped by your own inner images, memories and abilities. Helpful processes of change draw on both: what you consciously understand and try out, and what develops in unconscious experience. Not every step needs to be explained in words.

Some issues can take a long time in therapy before they become accessible. Hypnosis offers another way of approaching them through images, feelings and new experiences. How quickly something changes varies from person to person.

There is no stage hypnosis in my practice. We work only with your consent. You decide whether you would like to engage with hypnosis. You do not have to accept any suggestion that does not feel right for you, and you can ask to pause or end the exercise at any time. I guide you – you retain a say and set your boundaries. The patient information from the British National Health Service (NHS) also explains that people remain in control under hypnosis and can reject suggestions.

What research makes visible in the brain

Hypnosis can be investigated scientifically: A research team at Stanford University examined 57 people with high or low hypnotisability using functional MRI. During hypnosis, the highly hypnotisable participants showed changes in the activity and interplay of specific brain regions. These findings indicate changes in attention and information processing under hypnosis. Jiang et al., 2017: Brain Activity and Functional Connectivity Associated with Hypnosis.

The study compared hypnosis with rest and a memory task – not with meditation. It therefore does not demonstrate a clear MRI difference from “ordinary meditation” and is not a test of authenticity for an individual session. Hypnosis and meditation have similarities and differences; direct comparative studies are still limited. Penazzi and De Pisapia, 2022: Research overview of the direct comparison.

What concerns is hypnosis used for?

Sleeping more peacefully again, experiencing less anxiety or finding greater trust in yourself: every treatment begins with a personal wish. Research examines different concerns and forms of treatment. Its findings are encouraging, but they are not equally well supported for every concern.

• Anxiety and inner tension: Controlled studies show a reduction in anxiety symptoms. A summary of the research reports positive results, particularly when it is combined with other psychological treatment approaches. This does not mean that every anxiety disorder has been studied equally well. Valentine et al., 2019.
• Sleep disorders: Hypnosis is used to settle down in the evening and address sleep-related tension. A study of 60 people found improvements with two forms of hypnosis; without a group that did not receive hypnosis, it does not yet provide clear evidence of effectiveness. Randomised study of hypnotherapy for insomnia, 2018.
• Low mood and depression: A study of 152 people examined hypnotherapy for mild to moderate depression in comparison with cognitive behavioural therapy and found encouraging results. This cannot simply be generalised to severe depression. Fuhr et al., 2021.
• Stress, exhaustion and burnout: A controlled study of group hypnosis showed a reduction in perceived stress. In burnout, recovery, boundaries and dealing with pressures can be therapeutic topics. However, evidence of effectiveness for stress is not yet evidence for the treatment of a burnout syndrome. Fisch et al., 2020.
• Consequences of trauma: Among other settings, hypnosis has been investigated as an adjunct to cognitive behavioural therapy for acute stress disorder. This does not lead to a blanket recommendation for every trauma. Careful assessment, trauma-specific expertise and an approach that protects stability and safety are needed here. Bryant et al., 2005.
• Self-confidence and trust in your own abilities: Inner images and mentally rehearsing difficult situations can be the focus of hypnotic work. Greater self-confidence is a personal therapy goal; I do not present it as an effect established for everyone.
• Pain and distress during medical procedures: This is an area in which hypnosis has been studied particularly extensively. It is used alongside medical care, for example to influence the experience of pain and reduce distress. It does not replace necessary diagnostics, anaesthesia or medical treatment. Rosendahl et al., 2024: Overview of 49 meta-analyses.
• Irritable bowel syndrome symptoms: For hypnotherapy specifically directed at the gut, a larger controlled study showed better symptom relief than supportive information treatment. A medically established diagnosis is required; a specific treatment programme was investigated. Flik et al., 2019: IMAGINE study.

These examples show research and areas of application for hypnosis. We will clarify personally which treatment is suitable for you and your concerns, and which of these I can offer you. Bring your questions with you – together, we will find a fitting next step.

Hypnosis as a possible source of support

Hypnosis can help you explore an issue calmly during psychotherapy. It is not a requirement: we discuss together whether it suits your concerns.

Your pace matters

You can ask questions and request a pause or an end to the exercise at any time. Hypnosis is used only with your consent and is not a prerequisite for treatment. Change or a particular outcome cannot be guaranteed.

The first appointment

At our first appointment, we discuss your concerns and whether psychotherapeutic support is right for you. Afterwards, you can take your time to decide whether and how you would like to continue.

Contact

If you would like to arrange an initial appointment, you will find all the options on the contact page.

More about my services: Psychotherapy in Baden and support with anxiety and panic attacks.

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