Hypnotherapy And Self-Esteem

Aside from the obvious benefits of Hypnotherapy, such as permanent altered patterns of behavior , profound impact on everything from pain control and healing to motivation and success, one of the biggest impacts I have seen hypnotherapy have on my clients is in the impressive increase in their self–esteem.

Regardless of the reason they are receiving the benefits of hypnotherapy, the increase in self-esteem is almost a guaranteed by-product. In researching this phenomena, I have discovered that once someone realizes the inner workings of their subconscious mind and its impact on all parts of their life, they begin to realize that the subconscious mind and its programming is largely if not solely responsible for their perceived successes and failures in life. This discovery allows for a tremendous relief from blame, guilt and self-doubt. It also provides a path for them to then begin to purposefully create a life for themselves that transcends their previous limitations as were dictated by their subconscious mind. When someone is able to forgive themselves of their past, they are then, and only then, able to create an unlimited future.

It is almost like discovering that the fender bender you just caused was the result of a failed breaking system on your vehicle. The sense of relief that comes with finding out “it wasn’t my fault” feels wonderful. It is important to note that the failed breaking system does not release you from being responsible for the fender bender. You are still responsible for your own vehicle. In that same way, your subconscious mind may have caused your failures in the past, but it is still your subconscious mind. You may not have been aware that your subconscious mind was doing the dirty work like you weren’t aware that your brakes were about to fail, but either way you are still responsible for yourself and your actions and the reactions they invoke.

It may seem like the line between fault and responsibility is a fine one, but I assure you that it is more like a vast chasm. Fault and blame evoke feelings of self-effacement while responsibility allows for acknowledgement and for change to occur. Fault is a dead end street while responsibility is freedom.

It is only when we can objectively take responsibility for our actions, our predicament, and our lives, that we can make a conscious decision to change them if we choose.

For example, just because my subconscious mind was dictating the actions of my overeating, doesn’t mean I am not responsible for the current state of my body. But in realizing that my subconscious mind was dictating the actions of my overeating, I now have the power and the choice to change my behavior .

The only alternative to being empowered is to be a victim. Following the example of weight loss , most overweight individuals have a feeling of being out of control – that they cannot stop eating more than they know would be sufficient. They feel that they should have more control, will power, etc and therefore blame themselves for not taking different actions. The blame then turns into a definitive decision about who they are. They decide that they are lazy, undisciplined, etc and this then becomes part of how they begin to identify themselves in the world.

Once they are enlightened to the fact that it isn’t their fault, but rather the programming of their subconscious mind, those detrimental self-images they have simply begin to fall away. They can then and only then become responsible for their current state and begin to change it. Feeling empowered comes with the realization that we possess the ability to alter our own circumstances. Hypnotherapy provides that realization. When you feel empowered, you feel more confident, stronger and the images you have of yourself along with you self esteem are hugely improved.