Life can be hard. One day, you could be feeling on top of the world, and on the next, you might feel stuck in a rut—burdened by unexplained anxieties and behaviors.
And as clueless or random as our situations might feel, the roots of our current challenges might stem from past experiences sometimes.
Regression therapy is an avenue where we explore experiences that connect our present worries with the past. However, understanding the benefits and concerns surrounding regression therapy is extremely important before opting for it for yourself.
In this read, we’ll comprehensively look at what regression hypnosis is—covering how it works and the different ways it can be used to address several issues you might be facing right now.
What is Regression Hypnosis?
Hypnotherapists guide you into a state of focused relaxation and extremely heightened concentration, where therapists use suggestions and imagery to help you open the door to your memories, emotions, and experiences.
Generally, there are two common types of regression hypnosis:
Age regression
The age regression technique helps you navigate your mind and mentally revisit a specific time and place in your past life.
The idea behind this is to help you tap back into memories and experiences that might contribute to your present-day challenges.
Past life regression
Past life regression is out there to help people tap into memories from a supposed past life—not just the past, but like, literally a past life they’ve lived before this one (incarnations).
It’s not a scientifically validated technique because it has a supernatural angle attached to it, and the memories you might access may be more symbolic and metaphorical rather than literal.
All in all, both sets of hypnosis go beyond time-traveling in your past life but rely heavily on tapping into one’s subconscious mind—from where the stored memories and emotions influence our present situations.
How Does Regression Hypnosis Work?
During a hypnosis session, the hypnotherapist helps you explore your past safely and productively.
This usually begins with inducing a deep state of relaxation using techniques like rhythmic breathing exercises and guided visualization.
Once you are relaxed and have a 100% focus on things, the therapist proceeds with using suggestions and imagery to help you walk through their memories and past experiences gently.
Some of the techniques used in regression hypnosis are:
Suggestion
The therapist uses carefully worded phrases to help you focus your attention and imagination on a specific time in your life or a particular experience.
For example, you might be suggested to imagine yourself in a safe, happy place from your childhood.
Imagery
Imagery is used as a powerful tool in hypnosis, where you are encouraged to use your senses and create a vivid, detailed, and almost realistic mental image of an experience—focusing on describing what you see, hear, smell, feel, or taste in your memory.
Open-ended Questions
The therapist avoids leading or closed-ended questions so that you don’t box yourself into a spectrum of thoughts and restrict their exploration.
Instead, the therapist asks open-ended questions that allow you to explore your memories and experiences freely.
Age Regression Techniques
Age regression techniques involve asking you to recall specific details from your childhood, like favorite toys or places you visited.
Now, this is very effective as it helps you connect with memories that may be buried deep in your subconscious.
What Can Regression Hypnosis Help With?
Everyone is different. Therefore, there’s no one best approach to hypnosis therapy—it’s partially subjective.
To tap into its power to address a variety of emotional challenges, regression therapy can help you with:
Finding The Root Cause
Anxieties, phobias, and negative behaviors don’t happen in a vacuum—these sometimes stem from unresolved past experiences and traumas.
Regression hypnosis makes it possible to help you access these memories and emotions, helping you figure out how they’re impacting your present self and situation.
Finding Closure & Releasing Negative Emotions
Suffering the loss of someone you love can leave deep, hurtful emotional scars on the strongest of people.
Via regression hypnotherapy, you can access a safe space to revisit your memories to find closure, potentially releasing pent-up grief and unresolved emotions.
Past traumas and hurtful experiences can put a burden on your shoulders that most carry till the end of their lives—it could be guilt, anger, or deep sadness. Regression hypnosis makes it possible to process the associated emotions healthily.
Finding Purpose
Regression hypnotherapy can surprisingly provide you with valuable insights about what shapes your core beliefs, values, and motivations by going back into your past.
This can make you self-aware, empowering you to make positive changes in your life and discover a greater sense of purpose.
Address Issues
Regression hypnosis can sometimes help identify the root cause of phobias or anxieties linked to past events.
By revisiting and processing the memories, you may be able to reduce their hold on you and move forward with less fear.
What To Consider Before Regression Hypnosis Therapy
Regression hypnotherapy can help you achieve growth via self-exploration, but you can’t approach it with a closed mind and unrealistic expectations.
Here are some key considerations we must keep in mind before approaching regression hypnotherapy:
Recovered Memories
There’s an ongoing debate about the validity of recovered memories accessed through hypnosis.
There’s research that suggests our memories are reconstructive—they can be influenced by suggestion and even shaped by outside information.
So, there is a possibility that regression therapy could create memories that are symbolic of the issues being faced and this needs to be taken into consideration.
Suggestions
Hypnosis involves a heightened state of suggestibility, so your mind is open to influence—good or bad.
So it’s important you work with a qualified hypnotherapist uses suggestions ethically and knows how to handle any abreactions that may occur.
Re-traumatization
Even in a therapeutic setting, reliving traumatic experiences can still be challenging. A qualified therapist will do everything in their power to create a safe and supportive environment.
Ethical Considerations
There are several ethical considerations for therapists using hypnosis. They should obtain informed consent from you, fully explaining the limitations and potential risks involved.
Additionally, therapists should be trained in practices that prioritize your well-being above all else.
Are There Any Contraindications for Regression Hypnosis
Regression hypnotherapy is considered an immensely helpful tool for a lot of people, but it might not be suitable for everybody.
So, for example, people with Individuals with psychosis, schizophrenia, or severe dissociation disorders may not be the best candidates to experience regression. Conditions like these often bring up altered states of consciousness, and hypnosis could worsen the situation.
Also, if someone is experiencing deep emotional distress or instability, regression therapy might not be the best idea to go for. You should work out with a regular therapist first and achieve emotional stability before even considering regression.
So, all in all, you should discuss your mental health history and concerns with a qualified regression hypnotherapist before going forward.
Wrapping It Up
Regression hypnosis shouldn’t be looked upon as a window into the past but rather as a door to the future.
Revisiting the past won’t bring you any good if you don’t understand how your past controls your present and how to tweak it to change your future to your liking.
Yes, there are concerns associated with hypnosis, but it can prove to be an effective tool in transforming your life for good. The past might hold valuable lessons, but it doesn’t define you.
FAQ
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about hypnosis:
1. Can hypnosis make you lie?
No, hypnosis doesn’t force you to lie. In fact, while under hypnosis, you’re more likely to be truthful and less likely to be critical of the information you’re presenting. However, memories accessed during hypnosis can be influenced by suggestion or reconstruction.
2. What does a regression session feel like?
Varies from person to person. You’ll possibly be in a deeply relaxed state, similar to meditation.
3. Is regression hypnosis safe?
Generally, regression hypnosis is safe when conducted by a qualified and ethical therapist.
4. How many sessions of regression hypnosis will I need?
The number of sessions needed varies depending on your individual goals and the complexity of the issue being addressed. Some people may experience benefits after just one session, while others may need several sessions to achieve their desired results.
5. How do I find a qualified hypnotherapist for regression?
Look for a therapist who is certified by a reputable hypnotherapy organization. It’s also important to find someone who has experience with hypnosis and uses evidence-based practices.
