What I thought I was going to a hypnotherapist for: She would somehow magically make me no longer afraid to eat.
What actually happened: I learned how to set boundaries, get out of an abusive relationship, change limiting beliefs, experience new perspectives, learn new skills, remove shame, address bullying in my work place, forgive myself and others, build self-acceptance and self-love, create a new capable self-identity, develop genuine confidence, make true friendships, identify and live to my values, take responsibility for my life and become free to be me.
To say I got a little more than I bargained for would be an understatement.
So, how did hypnosis help me do these things I’d not been able to do in the prior 14 years I’d attended other types of therapy? To give you an idea I’m going to choose just 3 examples of practical things hypnosis directly helped me with:
- Setting Boundaries
Hypnosis helped me understand, set and maintain boundaries.
This was life changing because previously I’d been a “yes” person.
Previously and for as far back as I could remember I’d said yes to everyone and everything at the expense of my health and happiness.
I’d even prided myself on my level of self-sacrifice (aka neglect) and thought it was a good and noble trait.
I thought I was a “yes person” because I was empathetic and caring. I recognise now I was just afraid.
The reality was trying to meet the needs of everyone in my life left me exhausted and disconnected from my true self to the point where I had no clue who I was or what I wanted.
Learning to set boundaries was one of the hardest and most rewarding things I’ve ever done.
Initially setting boundaries about how I was and was not ok with being treated meant I went through some painful times at work, lost “friends”, make and strengthened connections with true friends and was able to leave an abusive relationship.
Now? Now, I can say no to anything and move on with self-respect, compassion and without guilt.
That’s a life skill I wish we all got the chance to learn, practice and develop, not just those of us in recovery from eating disorders.
2. Changing Limiting Beliefs
We have two types of beliefs.
1. Those we are consciously aware of
and
2. Those we are not consciously aware of (unconscious beliefs).
It is the later that run our lives.
I knew consciously that I was worthy, enough, deserving and that it would be good for me to eat and look after my health but unconsciously there were all sorts of beliefs I’d formed early in life which prevented all those things from actually feeling true or good and therefore my acting on it.
Hypnosis allowed for change to be brought about where it was needed, not at the level of education and insight but at the level the problem existed, the unconscious because this is the level hypnosis works at.
Yes, in moments I could willpower, fight and force myself to eat, not run or to do other behaviours that would be deemed “healthy” but the underlying and in times intense all consuming feeling that doing them or not doing them was wrong never changed.
Until hypnosis because nothing truly changes until the feeling changes.
3. Developing self-love
I once shuddered at the term “self-acceptance” let alone “self-love”.
To me they were synonymous with selfish.
I thought it was noble to be of complete service to others and to never ask for anything myself.
Through hypnosis I learned how to understand and accept the parts of myself I hated, had tried to ignore, fight and dispel for years and instead came to listen to their messages, trust and welcome them to the conversation.
This acceptance of all parts of me allowed me to develop genuine respect and love for myself for who I am, exactly as I am and ironically opened up my ability to change.
They say acceptance is the first step to change and it is true however, hypnosis took it further in allowing me the experience of change.
Take Home Crucial Parts
Hypnosis is a powerful clinical tool for change.
When you gain a basic understanding of neurobiology and how a human brain works there is no “magic” or even mystery as to why this is so.
If you are living with an eating disorder you will know that your life doesn’t just need to change a little, it needs to transform and that can feel incredibly overwhelming.
Hypnosis offers a practical means of going right to the areas with the most leverage and changing them in the ways you choose, perhaps more quickly than any other form of therapy because it works with that part of our mind which runs most of what we do (our unconscious).
Hypnosis also allows you to develop the future skills you need to succeed versus dragging up the past.
This allows for the rest of your life to naturally change until one day you simply realise it is completely transformed in all the ways which once felt impossible.
That is my wish for you.
With my whole heart I hope you found this information useful and inspiring.
Become Great. Live Great.
Bonnie.
