Hypnotherapy - Session 1

August 24, 2022

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Today was my first in-person hypnotherapy session. To be completely honest I was really nervous and had no idea what to expect and had my doubts that it would do anything to help me. I pushed all that aside because I want to stay open to the possibility that it would yield amazing result.

I arrived and we began discussing everything I was going through, how I was feeling, and what I was looking to get out of the sessions. As we talked, I found myself opening up to her about all of the things that I have been going through, the feelings I was having and the situation that I am currently in. She listened and acknowledged what I was saying. When our dialogue began, I felt like I was just spewing all of my issues and of course my self diagnosis. It was like I couldn't stop telling her about everything. During this time, as we carried on our conversation, she took a few notes. When it was time to review the treatment plan that she created based on the information that we discussed, I was really surprised. She explained that all of the feelings and emotions that I was expressing all point back to a few root causes. I expected to see a page of things that needed addressed. Among those listed was the issue of abandonment. She explained that this is very common and typically we don't see where it comes from.

In my case, it was not abandonment as people normally see it, where a parent leaves or something like that because my parents were present and supportive. We will get more into that as I learn more.

Another issue was how my brain has been wired (through years of being a certain way) to respond to threats. We discussed the polyvagal chart and how each time I enter the sympathetic (hyperarousal) zone, which is also our fight or flight zone, I don't implement the right methods to de-escalate the feelings and return to the ventral vagal zone. Instead, I escalate to the dorsal vagal zone, where feelings such as shame, depression, hopelessness, and helplessness arise. My heart rate rises, blood pressure elevates, and basically I shutdown.

Knowing this, as well as the panic attack I recently experienced (whole other story), she decided this would be a good place to start. I had concerns that she was treating the symptoms and not the cause, but went along with it since she is the professional and I am the one needing help.

It wasn't until after the session that I realized she was providing me tools to cope with situations that are unavoidable. That if I cannot prevent myself from entering a panic state or having an anxiety attack, then I cannot proceed to address the causes.

Since the session, I have felt incredible. I have not had a time that I began escalating in to the dorsal vagal phase, and when I noticed myself entering the sympathetic phase I was able to breathe, center myself and let it go. I realize that there are things that I cannot change and that accepting them and moving on is the only way to get through them. I may not be happy with the situation but I can be happy with how I show-up during that situation.

I guess you could say that I am a believer now. Hypnotherapy seems to be great method to quickly address things that you want to change about yourself, but in order for it to work, one must constantly practice what they learn. Obviously, I have not achieved my goal in one session, but I am well on my way. With practice, meditation and always being present and aware of my feelings, I will be able to "rewire" my brain, change my reactions, and one day the triggers will just pass right by. My brain will automatically know what to do and the triggers will get no attention.