Date: 17th July 2008
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, a Clinical Treatment for Anxiety, Stress and low Self Esteem using Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is accepted as probably the most effective therapy for anxiety, stress and even changing habits like smoking. The UK government has committed £170 million to training 3,000 new CBT therapists to help with depression. However many therapists are now combining CBT with clinical hypnosis to achieve even better results in a therapy known as Cognitive Hypnotherapy or Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy (CBH).
Hypnotherapy already has a good history of efficacy with formal recognition from the British Medical Association, the American Medical Association – and more recently the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE). Indications from several studies show that combining hypnotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy demonstrates a multiplier in effectiveness.
The problem with CBT is that many therapists spend too long talking about and discussing negative thoughts. This is important however with hypnotherapy there is always the move to the next step – i.e. practicing positive thoughts and behaviours. So after identifying and challenging negative thoughts the hypnotherapist has the client go into a form of "confidence hypnosis" and rehearse being in challenging situations while imagining thinking positive thoughts and behaving more confidently. The results are generally impressive, quick and long lasting as clients develop new habits of positive thinking and behaviour.
Of course hypnotherapy is nearly always combined with relaxation – and for many simply learning to relax deeply changes their anxiety, stress and boosts their confidence.
The integrated use of CBT and hypnosis is a powerful combination for treating anxiety, stress and low confidence, as well as habit control issues such as smoking and drinking.