What if you could access a calm, focused state of mind whenever you needed it — without medication, without appointments, and without anyone else in the room?
Self hypnosis is exactly that: a practical, learnable skill that allows you to guide yourself into a relaxed, receptive state of mind and use it to create real change. It’s not a party trick or a mystical practice. It’s a well-established technique used by therapists, athletes, performers, and everyday people to manage stress, improve sleep, build confidence, and reinforce positive habits.
At Brisbane Hypnosis Centre, we have been teaching self hypnosis to clients as part of their clinical hypnotherapy programs since 1997. This page gives you an introduction to the technique — and below, you’ll find a free procedure to get you started.
Self hypnosis involves deliberately guiding yourself into the hypnagogic state — the deeply relaxed but conscious threshold between wakefulness and sleep. In this state, your brainwaves shift from the fast beta waves of active thinking into the slower alpha and theta waves associated with relaxed focus and heightened receptivity. The analytical, critical part of your mind quiets, and positive suggestions, visualisations, and intentions are more readily absorbed.
It is different from sleep because you remain aware and in control throughout. You are not unconscious — you are in a focused, inward state of attention, a bit like being so absorbed in a book that the rest of the world fades away.
Becoming proficient at going into self-hypnosis is a learnable skill. This little process can be used to reinforce your work with a therapist, or all by itself in your personal practise.
Milton Erickson, M.D. taught himself self-hypnosis in order to learn to use his body again after contracting polio as a young man, and experiencing physical and sensory paralysis (Erickson & Rossi, 1977). He was successful, and regained the use of his legs and arms, and overcame all manner of impairments throughout his life by using this technique in conjunction with his medical care. The mind is an extraordinary thing.
Self-hypnosis can be easy, and quick, and can be performed anywhere. Like anything, the more you practise the better you’ll get at it. If you want to develop your skills further, you may wish to research the work of practitioners Milton Erickson, Ernst Rossi, and some of the older works of John Grinder and Richard Bandler.
Self hypnosis can be a useful tool for many of the same areas we address in clinical sessions, including:
Self-hypnosis is a complement to professional hypnotherapy, not always a replacement: sometimes we all need help from someone else. But for many people, learning to use self-hypnosis independently is one of the most empowering things they take away from their time with us.
The document below is the same introductory self hypnosis procedure we have shared with clients for many years. It walks you through a simple, effective method you can use at home.
You can download a Simple Self Hypnosis Process PDF here (opens in new window)
Self hypnosis training is available as part of our clinical hypnotherapy programs. If you’d like to learn the technique with personalised guidance from one of our practitioners, you’re welcome to get in touch or book an appointment. Self-hypnosis training sessions can be done in person, or online via Zoom.
510 South Pine Rd, Everton Park, Brisbane OR Online
07 3354 4555
We are currently developing a complete self hypnosis digital course, which will include our comprehensive written guide (ebook) and a series of professionally recorded audio sessions you can use at home, in your own time, at your own pace.
The course will be suitable for complete beginners and will cover everything from the basics of the hypnotic state through to using self hypnosis for specific goals. Join our waitlist below to be notified when it launches.
Any questions or comments, please be in touch. We’re very happy to share our knowledge and answer your questions.
REFERENCE:
Erickson, M.H., & Rossi, E.L. (1977). Autohypnotic experiences of Milton H. Erickson. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 20(1), 36–54.