Hypnosis For Social Anxiety – Does It Really Works?

I enjoyed reading about your experience with hypnosis from the point of view of the person on the receiving end of the process. I am a trained hypnotherapist with additional training in Neuro-Linguistic Programming. NLP helped me learn to shape my trance language in elegant, non-directive patterns that provided a gentle, comfortable induction for all my clients. After all, language techniques are our tools of the trade so to speak.

You are totally right that focus is the name of the game in creating altered states. It’s not about one person controlling another, but only about one person facilitating another to develop a state of intense focus, not on the “problem” but on the desired solution! It’s a totally positive exercise.

I would like to give you some small feedback to improvement of this page if you’ll permit me. Under item 3. in the title, the word you want is “work”, not “works”. and in the line that says… visualizing what the hypnotist “command”… I would suggest changing the word “command” to the words “is describing”. After all, aren’t we working to remove the somewhat frightening impression that hypnosis is a state where one person commands and controls another?

I know that there are some schools of hypnosis that still use “command” language patterns, and others who practice Ericksonian Hypnosis which uses softer language patterns and still gets wonderful results. You yourself might want to do some research on Ericksonian Hypnosis just for fun.

This is a good basic piece. Keep up the good work blogging about altered states.

It would be really cool if you could transcribe one of your hypno journeys as if we were riding along with you. I realize that takes the ability to both be in trance and keep part of your rational brain engaged to be able to tell the story and this is often very hard to do. Maybe you could make a vocal recording as you go along and transcribe it later. Just a thought.

Good Luck and Best Wishes, Joy

I’ve suffered from social anxiety for a great part of my life. Though treated with medications, I’ve been reading into topics of hypnosis a lot recently; and I’m really starting to see how this can be an effective treatment. I’ve tried a little bit myself from audios, and even though I generally feel more able these days; even listening to them, I can tell has left a stronger reinforcement in my confidence and ability to socialize in everyday situations. Great article – Thanks for sharing! 🙂

This is a fantastic read, I’m really intrigued. I suffer with anxiety, probably not an severely as some, but I have always found meditation to be helpful. After reading your break down of why hypnosis can be so helpful, maybe I could give it a try, it looks as though hypnosis could also be a helpful path to follow as well. Thank you!

I have never tried hypnosis for anxiety and I haven’t really had any issues with anxiety problems. That doesn’t mean I haven’t suffered from mental health issues, not by a long shot. I am a drug addict and alcoholic, in recovery now for eight years.
I have had some hypnosis sessions in rehab and also afterwards for quitting smoking. I have also listened to online hypnosis audios for weight loss and I loved it.
I truly believe that hynotherapy is amazing and done correctly it can benefit you hugely for any issue you are trying to overcome.
And yes totally, it won’t make you cluck like a chicken like in the movies 🙂
Best wishes for managing your anxiety, I am sure it is an ongoing process just like my recovery is.

I have always had a misconception against hypnosis but I guess it is because I fear the unknown as so many others do. But if it can make us unlearn stuff that no longer serve us than I guess it is a good idea to go through. I do believe in mediation and find it comforting to listen to guided ones that focuses on letting go. I think all we can really do is to let go of the past. The negativity. The fear. All those things that are holding us back. And that is where self-help comes in. Every human being knows how to heal themselves. I am strong believer of that and I have found self-help to be the best way to get over my fears and anxiety. Thanks for sharing your story. Love, Petra

Cool article about hypnosis and social anxiety. You mentioned that it’s important to keep a strict schedule for a hypnosis session. I’m interested to learn if how often you have a session could depend on how bad your anxiety is.