Hypnotherapy: how it works and what it can treat

When hypnosis comes up, many people think of television shows where someone "acts like a chicken" on stage. Nothing could be further from clinical hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy is a recognised therapeutic technique, used for decades to treat anxiety, phobias, addictions and trauma.

What therapeutic hypnosis is

Hypnosis is a natural state of consciousness, similar to the one you enter when you drive and arrive at your destination without remembering the journey, or when you are so absorbed in a book that the world disappears. A state of deep inner focus, in which the unconscious becomes more accessible and the inner critic loosens. You never lose control and you never do anything against your will.

How a session works at Ponto de Luz

A session lasts around 90 minutes. It begins with a detailed conversation to understand the origin of the imbalance. Then comes the induction: breathing, progressive relaxation, guided imagery. In that state, the therapist guides the person to the emotional cause of the problem, helps release trapped emotions and reprogram old responses.

What hypnotherapy is used for

• Generalised anxiety and panic attacks
• Specific phobias (flying, public speaking, heights, needles)
• Quitting smoking and weight management
• Insomnia and sleep disturbances
• Trauma, intrusive memories and complicated grief
• Creative blocks and self-esteem crises

How many sessions?

Many issues, such as quitting smoking or a specific phobia, can be resolved in one to three sessions. Deeper situations, like trauma or chronic anxiety, benefit from longer support.

Book a hypnotherapy session in Cascais.