With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing people to stay inside, many people have lost access to basic services that were deemed as “non-essential” by authorities.
One such service was hypnotherapy, a treatment procedure that involves the use of relaxation and concentration techniques to achieve an altered state of awareness. Thankfully, due to advances in communication technology, many hypnotherapists have been able to resume operations through other means.
Skype hypnotherapy—also called Skypenosis—is the moniker provided by practitioners for therapy sessions delivered over the popular communications platform Skype. It has been the go-to for patients and therapists who want to continue with their sessions amidst quarantine and lockdown protocols.
The Advantages
One of the more obvious blessings brought about by Skype hypnotherapy is how it allows people to continue receiving the treatment without risking Coronavirus transmission. Aside from receiving continued treatment for conditions that may have already been there before the pandemic, hypnotherapy sessions can help patients deal with feelings of isolation and loneliness brought about by the lack of human interaction.
Even when the pandemic draws to a close, this method will still be useful, as it allows patients who live far away or have physical impairments to receive therapy without having to travel. With distance no longer being an issue, getting access to help is just a few clicks away. As long as you have a stable internet connection, it will be possible for you to receive hypnotherapeutic treatment.
The Disadvantages
While highly useful in a lot of situations, online hypnotherapy also has its disadvantages. One of the biggest issues that concern therapists is the potential disruption caused by unstable internet connections.
Most types of hypnotherapy are safe even in the face of unstable connections. Usually, the worst that could happen is for a patient to fall asleep and wake up feeling better and recharged. However, certain techniques, such as age regression, can pose challenges for a therapist and patient who may lose connection mid-session.
Age regression, which involves someone reverting to a younger state of mind, is best described as a technique used in hypnotherapy as a self-help tool. During such sessions, patients may revert to as far as childhood or infancy, exhibiting childlike behaviours such as whining or thumb-sucking. During age regression, patients can also sometimes be made to work through painful memories in hopes of addressing some hidden trauma.
If a session that involves age regression gets disrupted, a therapist would not be able to guide a patient through this delicate process. Instead of treating the condition, a disrupted age regression session can potentially cause even more issues. As such, age regression techniques may not be the best candidate for Skype hypnotherapy.
Here at The Leeds Hypnotherapist, we never use age regression techniques for online hypnosis sessions. Instead, we use far better techniques that don’t involve hypnosis. If you feel like you need regression and you are looking at Skype hypnotherapy sessions, then please let us know and we will discuss this with you.
Is Skype Hypnotherapy just as effective as in-person sessions?
In a word, almost.
There is an extra element added to being in a room with someone that you won’t receive with Skype hypnosis. However, with the added effect of energy work that is used within sessions, you will still gain a massive benefit from the sessions.
According to a study published in 2019 by Hasan, et. al., Skype hypnotherapy was found to be slightly less effective than face-to-face therapy sessions. That being said, the study found that it was still better to receive counselling and treatment online versus nothing at all.
The study recommended that while it’s still best to receive therapy in a clinical setting, online sessions are still a great alternative!
Conclusion
Internet connectivity problems notwithstanding, Skype hypnotherapy has the potential to help people deal with complex problems, such as anxiety and eating disorders, or even harmful habits, like smoking. With internet connections promising better speeds and stability with each generation, it’s very likely that Skypenosis is here to stay.
Are you looking for a hypnotherapy service in Leeds? I specialise in using hypnotherapy to help people change their lives for the better. I also perform Skype hypnotherapy services for people who need treatment but wish to do so from the safety of their homes. Connect with me today and see how best I can help you.