Can Hypnotherapy (Hypnosis) Help Conquer Social Anxiety? Explore Benefits and Treatment

Social anxiety disorder is an anxiety disorder where one feels intense worry or fear of being negatively evaluated in social settings.

This worry or fear may show up in situations where one is expected to interact or perform, or where one is being observed. Social anxiety disorder can lead to avoidance behaviours wherein an individual may not want to participate in important and useful social events. 

Anxiety essentially keeps us stuck in a state of stress, fear and rigidity. When we are in this state, it can be difficult to think clearly or be open to change.

Hypnotherapy or hypnosis helps an individual relax. In a state of relaxation, we feel safer exploring our inner world and are more open to bringing about change. Hypnosis, especially when done in conjunction with other forms of therapy such as CBT, is a popular mode of treatment for social anxiety disorder. 

Understanding Social Anxiety: Symptoms and Impact

Social anxiety disorder can have both physical and emotional symptoms. Some symptoms of social anxiety include: 

1. Intense worry or feeling self-conscious in a social setting 
2. Negative self-talk or self-criticism 
3. Sweating 
4. Rapid heartbeat 
5. Blushing 

When social anxiety feels unmanageable or extreme, it may lead to avoidance of social interactions altogether. This can have a cascading effect leading to missed opportunities in an individual's professional and personal lives. But, there’s good news. Social anxiety disorder can be managed with the right treatment from a mental health professional. 

If you feel you struggle with social anxiety, you can get in touch with a qualified and experienced mental health professional on Mave Health’s Therapy Club. 

Can Hypnotherapy [Hypnosis] Help Overcome Social Anxiety?

Yes, hypnotherapy has been found to be a useful therapeutic intervention for social anxiety. In one meta-analysis of 15 studies which encompassed 17 clinical trials using hypnosis for social anxiety, it was found that 79% of the participants reported improvement in their symptoms of anxiety. 

It’s important to note here that even though we may use the words ‘hypnosis’ and ‘hypnotherapy’ interchangeably, the two are different. Hypnosis used to be a stand-alone intervention where the individual would be guided into a trance-like state of relaxation.

This is not how modern hypnotherapeutic interventions are conduction. In the present day, hypnotherapy usually involves hypnosis combined with an intervention based on a therapeutic modality like CBT. Hypnosis as a stand-alone intervention is not considered a form of therapy. Hypnotherapy, on the other hand, has been clinically applied for various manifestations of anxiety, including but not limited to, social anxiety and has shown to provide some relief to patients.  

Explain how Hypnotherapy [Hypnosis] works for SA (relaxed focus).

While the word ‘hypnosis’ may spark images of someone watching a swinging pendulum, slowly slipping into a trance-like state, hypnotherapy is not that. Think of hypnotherapy as a two step process where the first step is to help the client or patient enter a state of relaxation, and the second step is to offer a therapeutic intervention. Being in a state of relaxation allows the individual to be more receptive to the therapeutic intervention. 

An individual who has social anxiety may be nervous in the intimate interpersonal context of therapy, and may be unable to relax. Once this state of relaxation is achieved, many different interventions may be used. One may be encouraged to free associate to uncover the subconscious conflicts or fears that may be contributing to social anxiety. Or, one may be asked to challenge their negative self-talk, which can lead to cognitive restructuring.

Discuss the potential benefits of Hypnotherapy [Hypnosis] for Social Anxiety 

Although more trials and research are needed to understand the efficacy and benefits of hypnotherapy for social anxiety, the preliminary studies we do have indicate that when combined with CBT, hypnosis or hypnotherapy can be useful in the treatment of social anxiety.  

With this in mind, potential benefits of hypnotherapy may include: 

1. Quicker relief from symptoms of anxiety 
2. Easier to establish a rapport and relationship with the therapist so that deeper work may begin 
3. Learning some useful tools like relaxationa and self-hypnosis that can be used in stressful situations 

What to Expect During Hypnotherapy [Hypnosis] for Social Anxiety: A Step-by-Step Guide

Structure of a Hypnotherapy Session for Social Anxiety

The framework of Hypnosis revolves around tuning down the conscious mind and accessing the subconscious in a relaxed state. In the case of social anxiety, various suggestions are taken from the client to have a better understanding of anxiety, reduce the co- occurring symptoms, teach the mind how to relax and to gain an interpretation of the deep causes of the anxiety. 

Here is how hypnotherapy may be structured:

Initial Session

This includes briefing about hypnosis and exploring the symptoms, needs and goals of the client. This stage helps the client grasp an idea to be comfortable for the subsequent stages.

Conduction

• Relaxation Techniques: Hypnotherapy requires the client to be in a deep, relaxed and awakened state. Various relaxation techniques like deep breathing and muscle relaxation are used to achieve it. 
• Guided Imagery: It is a technique used to get into a trance state. It involves imagining a peaceful visualisation guided by the hypnotherapist.
• Deeper Relaxation: To ensure that the client is open to listening and receiving instructions, countdowns or repeating calming sentences are undertaken. 
• Exploration: This stage involves searching for answers and exploring the various thoughts to fulfil the set goals of the hypnosis while giving positive suggestions. 

Gradual Awakening

The therapist will help the client come back to full awareness gently out of the trance state. It is done slowly to ensure comfort. 

Discussion

The therapist and the client actively discusses the client’s experience while reflecting the thoughts and feelings that came up. All questions are answered in detail in this stage. 

Things to expect during the Hypnotherapy Session

Several techniques are used in a hypnotherapy session to explore and achieve the session goals.

Relaxation Techniques:

These help in calming the client in the beginning of the session to enter into the trance state. These involve deep breathing, countdown, muscle relaxation, etc.

Deep Discussions:

Discussions help in keeping the hypnotherapist and the client on the same page. These discussions include goals, symptoms, expectations of the client, suggestions of the therapist and so on.

Visualisation:

Guided imagery is a technique used for visualisation to help the client achieve a calm and peaceful state. It provides a ‘safe space’ that helps in further exploration.

Metaphors and Analogies:

These help in creating insight and giving a route to the subconscious mind. 

Therapeutic Suggestions:

Various direct, in-direct and post hypnosis suggestions are given by the hypnotherapist. This helps in planning an intervention plan. 

Collaboration between the Therapist and the Client

A holistic partnership between the therapist and the client is very important to fulfil the goals and have a better understanding of the client’s experiences and triggers throughout the process.

Hypnosis is a therapeutic technique that helps in understanding the subconscious mind. Even though the myths portray the therapist to be in authority, the truth is on the contrary. The client is actively engaged and in control throughout the process. 

Furthermore, a customised treatment plan plays a crucial role addressing the needs, preferences and experiences of the client. Collaborations start from formation of a trustful therapeutic alliance enhancing mutual respect and openness.

While the therapist’s duty is to comply with the client’s needs, provide autonomy, integrate various resources and perform assessment, the client also has various roles in the hypnotherapy session. The client can engages with active participation, have open communication and give feedback that helps the therapist have a better understanding of the client’s thoughts, etc.

Additionally, a collaborative intervention plan helps in choosing the most effective technique while keeping the preferences and session outcomes in mind. Thus in order to attain positive outcomes and progress, it is important to have an active alliance from the therapist and the client. 

Limitations and Considerations for Hypnotherapy [Hypnosis] 

Hypnosis or hypnotherapy may not be for everyone. Some individuals may find the idea of not feeling in control too daunting, or may want to ease into the process slower than hypnosis or hypnotherapy can allow for. 

It is also not a cure, or enough as a stand-alone treatment. One or two sessions of hypnotherapy can’t “cure” a long-term anxiety disorder. It may be useful for easing the symptoms for some time, but to effectively manage a chronic condition, it’s important to learn sustainable ways of coping. 

Lastly, it’s imperative to find a qualified professional who has received training specifically in hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy is a specialised treatment modality, and not every mental health professional has been trained in it. So, make sure to ask your care provider about their qualifications and training in hypnosis or hypnotherapy. 

Is Hypnotherapy [Hypnosis] Right for You? Self-Assessment and Next Steps

If you’re considering hypnotherapy, but aren’t sure if it’s right for you, you can reflect on these questions: 

1. What is my treatment goal? 
2. How do I plan to integrate what I learn during hypnotherapy, in my daily life? 
3. Is short-term treatment enough for me, or do I need someone who can work with me over a long period of time? 
4. Do I feel safe with my healthcare provider? 
5. Do I understand the limitations and risks of hypnotherapy?
6. Are my expectations from hypnotherapy realistic? 
7. Do I have all the information I need, from a professional who is trained in hypnotherapy?

This last question is particularly important. Like all forms of therapy, it is important that your hypnotherapist is also someone you can trust and feel safe with. You should be able to ask them all the questions you have about it, and only once you feel that you are making an informed decision should you opt for hypnotherapy. 

Conclusion:

Hypnotherapy began as a stand-alone intervention where an individual is led into a state of altered consciousness. In its contemporary form, hypnotherapy looks very different. It’s a two-step process wherein the individual is first guided into a relaxed state and then, offered therapeutic intervention. Hypnotherapy is often confined with other forms of therapy. For the treatment of social anxiety, the most popular metholodogy that is used is hypnotherapy combined with CBT, or CBH - short for Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy is useful for relieving the symptoms of anxiety, but an individual with social anxiety would also benefit from long-term work with a mental health professional. 

If you’re looking for help to manage symptoms of social anxiety, reach out to one of our qualified and experienced mental health professionals at the Therapy Club. 

Citations:

El-Baalbaki, G. (2013). Using Hypnosis in the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders: Pros and Cons. New Insights into Anxiety Disorders.

Heap, M. (2012). Hypnotherapy: a handbook. Open University Press. 

Mayo Clinic. (2018). Hypnosis - Mayo Clinic. Mayoclinic.org.

Tackling Social Anxiety with Hypnotherapy - Cognition Coaching & Hypnotherapy. (n.d.). Www.cognition.org.uk. Retrieved June 21, 2024

Valentine, K. E., Milling, L. S., Clark, L. J., & Moriarty, C. L. (2019). The Efficacy of Hypnosis as a Treatment for Anxiety: A Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 67(3), 336–363.

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