Hypnotherapy versus meditation

Hypnotherapy is similar to meditation. Both are intended to reach the relaxed state of either alpha or theta brain wave activity.

In both hypnosis and meditation, a person has relaxed their nervous system so that it’s in a parasympathetic state or calm, relaxed often called “rest and digest.” It’s the ideal state to affect deep healing or by releasing past hurt and traumas, and accepting new beliefs about ourselves. The root of habits or beliefs will often express themselves in this state, being that it’s safe to now process the information. It’s amazing how often a habit we want to change or a feeling we no longer want to carry can trace back to a memory that we—through our nervous system’s hypervigilant need to protect us—has given more meaning than it deserves.

(Am I really saying that the reason someone might struggle with overindulging is as simple as a schoolyard memory? Yes, sometimes it really is that simple.) Identifying the cause of our nervous system reactions (or triggers) and exposing them to observation is often enough to let them go.

Meditation is often self-guided and a space to clear out the noise, relax, and welcome insights whereas with hypnotherapy, we are working together to actively draw out information and heal it with imagery or new ideas about oneself. However, we can call it guided meditation if the wording is more comfortable for you.