Hi RenDoe,
I only just came across your post however it become my reason to join the community here and to offer you some feedback.
For reasons of full disclosure, I should state that I am a hypnotherapist. I'm also an ACT therapist too. I've studied many of the therapeutic modalities that are out there and commonly used.
I need to state something right off the start and it might surprise you; hypnosis, in itself, does not change anything. Hypnosis is not a 'treatment'. It is simply a vehicle in which treatment can be delivered.
Having said that, I've experienced some remarkable transformations with people over time who have come in, trapped in their own thoughts and who have left with techniques and skills that have helped to quiet the mind.
As with any therapeutic relationship, what is most important is that you feel you can work with your therapist, that there is trust there, and that you can feel like a space has been created for you to share your thoughts and feelings without judgement. This is regardless of if it is a psychologist, psychiatrist or a therapist / counsellor / hypnotherapist. Note that many psychologists nowadays are beginning to utilise hypnotherapy within their practice too as you can easily incorporate a CBT or Gestalt or ACT or DBT or SFBT approach into hypnotherapy fairly effortlessly.
You should also keep in mind that mindfulness, while not hypnotherapy, is 'related'. It still involves an inward focus which is critical for hypnotherapy, and research from universities such as Harvard have shown remarkable benefits and advantages in a mindful approach. I'd certainly recommend it and you'll often find many therapies, such as ACT and DBT, that utilise mindfulness.
I hope this has helped! I'm not here to sell anything, just to educate and to share - and I hope that you're on the road to having a rich, meaningful existence once again.
Lawrence
