clinical hypnotherapy program

Hypnosis and the Subconscious Mind

Posted on by Mark Moran

Hypnosis and the Subconscious

The concept of hypnosis is not a stage trick or parlor game but has its roots in basic alpha states of the mind.  While many conceive hypnosis to be mind control, it is in reality merely voluntary rewiring of the subconscious to be more willing to obey the wishes of the conscious mind.  To better understand how the true science of hypnotherapy works and how it helps individuals face issues in their life, it is important to understand hypnosis and how it works with the natural subconscious mind to help produce change in people.

Hypnosis looks to guide the subconscious mind into making change at the conscious level

Please also review AIHCP’s Clinical Hypnotherapy Program.

There are four states of the mind.  The first brain wave is beta, or the conscious mind when individuals are awake and fully operating.  The second state is alpha when the person is day dreaming, meditating, or prior to falling asleep.  The final two states are theta, the dream state, and delta, the deep sleep state (Hunter, 1998, p. 21).  According to Hunter, the brain waves of alpha which are between 8 and 13 cycles are a state between conscious and subconscious are most open to suggestion (pg. 21).   However, even in this state, the person maintains complete control, the hypnotherapist is merely a guide that helps induce the deeper state and help the individual find resolution to conscious habits or issues.  Ironically, one is under the state of alpha many times without realizing it when intently watching a movie, or television show, especially during commercials.  One is also in the alpha state while day dreaming, or prior to sleep.  Hence it is a very natural state and not something unnatural or dangerous in itself.

According to Hunter, hypnosis is important because no matter what change one wishes to implement, the subconscious wins over the conscious mind (1998, p. 43).  Hunter points out that habits are controlled by the subconscious mind (1998, p. 15).   All habits are a direct result of past programming in our life at the subconscious level due to various motivators.  It is hence important to anchor new ideas into the subconscious mind and establish triggers for the conscious mind to utilize when facing change in life.  Many  negative triggers can push one to again smoke, but new ways of thinking that are anchored into the subconscious can help individuals promote change in life.  All habits or change are difficult because they are cemented within the unconscious and because of that, it is important to strengthen the subconscious.  In facing the subconscious, Hunter points out that the subconscious usually does not change because the conscious mind decides one day to suddenly start a new habit or change of life.  The subconscious does not comply to force but only persuasion at the subconscious level.  New ideas and ways to form new habits need to be implemented (1998, p. 16).   Hunter states that this involves a conscious decision to change but one that is truly backed with motivation to do what needs to be done and a responsibility to accept one’s part in the habits (1998, p. 17).  Like a rebellious child, the subconscious needs to be gradually subdued without brute force but time and patience.

Hunter recommends various “gateways” to better strengthen the subconscious.  Repetition is the first gateway but it can be a long trek in replacing old habits with new habits.  The subconscious mind holds tightly to past habits, yet, repetition is key to forming new habits (1998, P. 47).   The second gateway to the subconscious is authority.  Authority can play a key role into a our subconscious molding as children.  It is good to find positive authority motivators as opposed to negative authority motivators in breaking old habits (Hunter, 1998, p. 49).  The third gateway is ego.  Within ego, one is subconsciously pressured for good or bad via peer pressure, various mentors, recognition and rewards, or identification within a particular group (Hunter, 1998, p. 49-53).  The fourth gateway is the utilization of the alpha state.  According to Hunter, hypnosis is merely guided day dreaming that utilizes the imagination, the language of the subconscious, to help one change (1998, p. 53). Finally, Hunter lists the power of emotion tied to one’s subconscious mind as the most powerful motivator to change.  Whether fear or joy, emotion plays a powerful role in our ability to change or not change (1998, p. 55).  Hence these various gateways are possible ways to help the subconscious mind accept change, albeit, some take too long, or resistant, but ultimately if understood and utilized properly, they can work together to help the subconscious accept change.

While these gateways are productive, these motivators can also be inhibitors within the subconscious programming.  Repetition of bad habits, rebellion against authority, bad identifications, bad habits in alpha and negative emotion and triggers associated with those bad habits may need reworked to help the person change (Turner, 1998, p. 59).   Replacing these gateways with positive aspects of each, can help the person escape the negative associated with them and drive the subconscious into new habits that are good.

Please also review AIHCP’s Clinical Hypnotherapy Program and see if it meets your academic and professional goals

To learn more about hypnotherapy, the The College of Hypnotherapy and AIHCP offers certification in Clinical Hypnotherapy for qualified professionals.  While hypnotherapy at the current moment (2025) is rarely regulated, a few states require a licensure, but most require merely utilizing within the scope of ones education and training.  Hence, clinical professionals can utilize hypnosis for deeper pathological issues of trauma, while non clinical are limited to basic stress management and changing bad habits.  AIHCP accepts both non clinical and clinical into the hypnosis program.  Via the required courses, qualified professionals can become certified in clinical hypnotherapy and practice within the scope of their practice and education.

Please click here to learn more about AIHCP’s program to see if you qualify!

Resource

Hunter, C. Roy, 1998. “Master the Power of Self-Hypnosis”. Sterling Publishing Company.

Additional Blogs

Is Clinical Hypnotherapy Safe?  Click here

Additional Resources

“What Is Self-Hypnosis and How Do I Do It?”. (2023).  Cleveland Clinic. Access here

Harley, J. (2020). “Self-Hypnosis: What It Is & How to Do It”. Mindset  Health.  Access here

Watts. T. “The Subconscious Mind and Hypnosis”. Self Hypnosis. Access here

Anbar, R. (2025). “Consulting the Subconscious in Everyday Life”. Psychology Today.  Access here

Clinical Hypnotherapy Program Article on Positive Mindset

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Hypnosis is known to help individuals face situations, fears, and bad habits with success.   In doing so, it helps reframe the subconscious to produce a better conscious outcome.   It can reframe mindsets and help individuals become more successful just not in the task but also in life itself.  Positive mindsets that lead to success can stem from subconscious training during hypnosis.   Please also review AIHCP’s Clinical Hypnotherapy Program

Clinical Hypnosis can lead to better mindsets. Please also review AIHCP’s Clinical Hypnotherapy Program

 

The article, “How clinical hypnosis can create winning mindsets” by Shelia Menon looks closer at how hypnosis and clinical hypnotherapy can better train positive mindsets.  She states,

“Clinical hypnosis is one of the simplest methods for cutting through the cobwebs and connecting people to their inner resources. Just the experience of going into hypnosis can clear your mind, strengthen your focus, and boost self-confidence.  Clinical hypnotherapists teach their clients to create clear mental images that make their desired goals or outcomes more realistic. The client can make adjustments or discuss these outcomes during the session, and the therapist will help remove any emotional blockages that may slow down the progress.”

To review the entire article, please click here

Please also review AIHCP’s Clinical Hypnotherapy Program and see if it meets your academic and professional program.  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification in hypnotherapy.

 

Hypnotherapy Program Article on Smoking and Hypnosis

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Hypnosis can help the subconscious mind find inner healing for the body.  It can re channel brain pathways to help the brain suppress bad behaviors.  It can help the intuitive right side of the brain find peace and affect the left side of the brain to make better decisions. It is through this rewiring and the plasticity of the brain that the body can eliminate bad habits.  One example is smoking.

Hypnosis can help the brain rewire itself against smoking addiction. Please also review AIHCP’s Hypnotherapy Program

 

The article, “Can Hypnosis Get Me to Quit Smoking?” from Healthline looks at what hypnosis is and how it can better retrain the mind and brain to deal with bad habits.  The article states,

“It’s no wonder why so many people want to quit smoking. A 2019 research review Trusted Source showed that it’s the top cause of preventable illness and death in the world. Stopping can improve your health, but for many people, quitting is a huge challenge. There are many methods and products for quitting smoking. One that gets a fair amount of attention is hypnosis. Some people credit hypnosis with helping them quit”

To read the entire article, please click here

Addiction and bad habits can be difficult to beat.  Using hypnosis and imagery in a meditative stance can help one find solutions and new ways of processing cravings and reactions to those cravings.  Hypnosis helps one find that state.

Please also review AIHCP’s Hypnotherapy Program as well as AIHCP’s Substance Abuse Counseling Programs.  The programs are online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking four year certifications in Hypnotherapy or Addiction Counseling Training.