Pradeep Aggarwal writes in the American Chronicle on the use of hypnosis to remove fears and phobias.  The techniques are fairly straightforward and this area is considered one of the core uses of hypnosis and is a defining part of the hypnotist’s scope of practice.

Most people struggle with their fears and phobias. Hypnosis offers a very natural and effective cure for treating fears and phobias. Hypnosis by way of mental and physical relaxation helps you to train your mind to react differently to your fears and phobias. Deep relaxation lowers your blood pressure, which in turn reduces the tension in your muscles and brain. Hypnosis reduces the amount of stress related hormones, which help your body to return to its normal state. The technique, which is used in Hypnosis is that, the conscious part of the brain is subdued so that the subconscious portion is upfront and becomes accessible to the hypnotist. Then the Hypnotist reprograms your subconscious mind and you absorb all the instructions without thinking about it. The subconscious mind is responsible for all those activities which you do automatically like driving a car. It controls your heart rate, your breathing without being dependent on the conscious mind. The conscious mind, which is the rational mind, takes a back seat. Fears and phobias are learned behaviors. The Hypnotist can help you overcome them by helping you to relate it to something funny. After the session you may feel that the fears and phobias were nothing of great importance. It helps you to tune out of the worries and doubts and you feel more free and relaxed. Hypnosis is often compared to daydreaming, as the people in this state of mind feel uninhibited. Hypnosis could be an advisable therapy with the help of which you can master your fears and phobias. It can help you reduce your stress that you suffer and it is an amazing option to changing your behavior.

There are a number of alternative methods to dealing with fears.  The method described by Aggarwal is a fairly common one.  Personally, I tend to use relaxation therapy with hypnoanalysis for such behaviors as I find it hypnoanalysis (parts therapy, regression, gestalt, and positive behavior learning) in addition to anchor sets and the humor element to be more effective for long-term behavioral change . . . albeit, I do occassionally use other approaches for folks (the method employed is usually calibrated to the individual and so Affarwal’s description is one set that works with many individuals but I am sure he also modifies his approach to suit those individuals for whom another approach might be more appropriate).  Hypnotists who use only one technique tend to be less effective overall.  We have a number of tools in our hypnotic toolbox and employ them as the situation and client’s needs dictate.

All the best,
Brian

Brian David Phillips, PhD, CH [phillips@nccu.edu.tw]Certified Hypnotherapist
President, Society of Experiential Trance
Associate Professor, NCCU, Taipei, Taiwan
http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com