Are your thought processes doing your head in?

At our clinic, we are dedicated to helping people return to a high-functioning state. We believe everyone has the internal resources needed to solve problems, move on from the past, and work toward future goals.

Fear, depression, and anxiety are naturally occurring states, just like happiness, curiosity, and calm. These states are dictated by our thought processes, and we move through them multiple times a day, often without even noticing. Sometimes we can "snap out of it" on our own, but other times, these states become ingrained, creating patterns of anxiety or depressive thinking.

We believe all states are the result of thought processes. Each person has unconscious processes around their states, stored in the unconscious mind. If we view everything we do mentally as a process, we then have the power to change these processes.

Not all thought processes need changing. Many of our mental shortcuts help us perform daily tasks efficiently, like brushing our teeth or driving. When repeated enough times, these processes become automatic, stored in our unconscious mind. Our daily habits become effortless and efficient, freeing up mental energy.

A person is a unique combination of thousands of thought processes—some effective, some not. Hypnosis allows us to connect with the unconscious mind, where these processes and our resources (skills, abilities, and capabilities) are stored. When we practise a skill, we reinforce neural pathways, embedding that resource in our unconscious.

If we view emotional states as processes, it makes sense that habits of worry, anxiety, and depressive thinking are similar. These are states we've "practised" so much they've become ingrained. Problems like smoking, procrastination, and excessive worry are all thought processes.

When faced with a problem, two things happen:

1. We create a process that supports the continuation of the problem.

2. We become disconnected from our resources.

So, what is a resource? Resources are experiences that stay with us in the unconscious mind, building resilience over time. Hypnosis provides the ideal opportunity to make changes by working directly with the unconscious mind. It creates a space for processes to change.

Milton Erickson, the founder of modern hypnotherapy, said that hypnosis creates a climate for change. It doesn't force a person to think a certain way but offers helpful guidance to prompt the mind to find a better process. The human mind is rich with resources, and the unconscious mind holds thought processes, resources, and all our possibilities.

If you understand that the mind enhances whatever it focuses on, it's clear why we can be captivated by our internal thoughts. Are your thoughts predominantly positive or negative? Modern hypnotherapy, known as solution-oriented therapy, focuses on moving toward resources and solutions rather than concentrating on problems.

Dr. Michael Yapko, a world-renowned expert in hypnosis, states that hypnosis has always been a field of positive psychology, amplifying people's strengths.

“We can let circumstances rule us, or we can take charge and rule our lives from within.”

Earl Nightingale