Could hypnotherapy be the key to cultivating confidence?
We explore an untapped resource in building confidence and self-love
Self-acceptance, confidence and self-worth are all subjects I’m passionate about. Why? Because I believe the lack of these can have devastating impacts on our mental health.
In building our sense of worth, we recognise our value and treat ourselves more kindly. This paves the way for better self-esteem and confidence as we realise our voice deserves to be heard and that we’re more capable than we think. It helps us build resilience and feel more able to handle life’s ups and downs. It encourages us to set healthy boundaries, honouring our own needs without guilt.
I’m not saying confidence is the sole key to mental wellness, but it plays a pretty important role. So, dedicating time to work on our confidence could have some far-reaching results.
There are many ways you can look at improving your confidence, from changing the clothes we wear to neuroscience-backed tips, but today I want to take a closer look at a potentially untapped resource – hypnotherapy.
How can hypnotherapy improve confidence?
Hypnotherapy for confidence is a type of therapy that works on the subconscious. This means it looks to make changes that we may struggle to do ourselves through willpower alone, like changing thought patterns and behaviours.
When it comes to a lack of confidence, this can often stem from negative thought patterns. Perhaps you’ve been offered an opportunity at work, but you immediately think you aren’t the right person for the job. Maybe you want to strike up a conversation with someone new, but your thoughts tell you that no one wants to talk to you. We often refer to this as our ‘inner critic’ and for some of us, it can be tough to recognise and change this voice because it’s so automatic.
The aim of hypnotherapy is to change these automatic negative thoughts. In her article, Three strategies to let go of self-doubt, cognitive behavioural hypnotherapist Morag Stevenson shares more on how cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy can do this.
“With cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy, you learn to experience a hypnotic mindset of deep relaxation, clear focus and concentrated attention.
“Together with your hypnotherapist, you can use this mindset to freely explore your current unhelpful thoughts and their root beliefs. Once uncovered, you can consciously decide to swap these out for more self-loving ones that power and revitalise you. You discover how to take back control.”
Hypnotherapy isn’t a magic wand that will instantly eliminate self-doubt, but because it works deeper than many of us can go consciously, it can turbo-charge your efforts, making everything feel that little bit easier.
Can hypnotherapy help my imposter syndrome?
Imposter syndrome is when we have fraudulent feelings, usually at work, where we don’t believe we deserve to be where we are (and are sure we’ll be found out one day). This phenomenon has many roots, but it often has ties to low confidence.
“Put simply, imposter syndrome is a negative thought pattern of self-belief, almost like a bad habit.” Clinical hypnotherapist Angela Cain (D.M.H, D.Hyp, CPNLP) explains in her article, Believe in yourself and overcome imposter syndrome.
“During hypnosis, your subconscious mind is able to form a new more positive habit creating inner self-belief and confidence. Hypnotherapy can change undesirable thoughts, feelings, or behaviours. By reframing these unhelpful behaviours it allows pathways to be built leading you to your own desired goals making you feel happier and relaxed which in turn, allows you to take back control to whatever is right and natural for you.”
Self-hypnosis for confidence
Self-hypnosis typically involves following a guided self-hypnosis track (similar to a guided meditation) and it can be a great way to get a feel for hypnotherapy. The results may not be quite what you would get from working with a hypnotherapist (as they will tailor your treatment), but it is certainly worth exploring if you’re new to hypnotherapy. Here is a track to help build inner confidence from hypnotherapist Vicki Crane (D.Hyp, DipThyp, PNLP) to get you started.
What type of hypnotherapy can help with confidence?
There are several different types of hypnotherapy out there, and many will be helpful when it comes to building confidence, but these three in particular could be worth looking into.
Cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy
Combining elements of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with hypnotherapy, cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy looks to provide tools to better manage stress and change the way you both think and behave. Helpful for tackling depression and anxiety, this approach is also ideal for overcoming unwanted habits and building self-esteem and confidence.
Solution-focused hypnotherapy
As its name suggests, solution-focused hypnotherapy is all about creating positive change. This means there is less of a focus on the problem, and more on what solutions are possible. Goal-setting is an important element here, helping you to take action, which is imperative when building confidence.
RTT® combines elements of hypnotherapy, psychotherapy, neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), cognitive behavioural therapy and neuroscience to create fast and long-lasting change. This approach looks to help you communicate with your subconscious to make changes, including boosting confidence and improving general wellbeing.
If you’re unsure what type of hypnotherapy is right for you, chat to a hypnotherapist to learn more.
How to find a hypnotherapist for confidence
If you’re interested in trying hypnotherapy for confidence, working with a hypnotherapist you trust is key. You can use our Hypnotherapy Directory to search for hypnotherapists who help with confidence and read through their profiles to learn more about them and the way they work.
All our hypnotherapists have been checked to ensure they are members of a professional body or have relevant qualifications and insurance, though we always recommend asking more about this for your own peace of mind.
When you’re ready, you can send them an email to discuss your needs and go from there. Often you will have a consultation, where you discuss what you’re looking for and get the chance to ask any questions before starting the hypnotherapy session.
Learn more about what to expect in a hypnotherapy session.
Visit Hypnotherapy Directory to learn more about hypnotherapy and to find the right hypnotherapist for you.