Resistance: What it means in hypnotherapy
When you begin therapy, the goal is often to make positive changes, whether by breaking bad habits, healing emotional wounds, or overcoming fears. However, the path to transformation isn’t always smooth. You may encounter resistance – a psychological roadblock – which is particularly relevant in therapies like hypnotherapy. But what exactly is resistance, and why does it happen?
What is resistance in therapy?
Resistance occurs when a person unconsciously or consciously avoids addressing certain issues in therapy. It can manifest in many forms, including:
- Procrastinating about scheduling or attending therapy sessions
- Avoiding certain topics during sessions
- Feeling a strong reluctance to engage with specific exercises or techniques
- Deflecting or rationalizing difficult emotions or behaviours
In many cases, resistance is a natural part of the therapeutic process. It’s your mind’s way of protecting you from emotional pain, discomfort, or fear of change.
Why do people resist therapy?
There are many reasons why resistance arises during therapy, and they often come from deep within the subconscious:
Fear of change: Even though someone may consciously want to improve their life, change can feel threatening. The mind is used to familiar patterns, even if they are unhealthy, so stepping into the unknown can trigger resistance.
Fear of vulnerability: Therapy requires openness, and this can be difficult for people who are not used to showing vulnerability. Admitting to fears, anxieties, or trauma might feel uncomfortable or overwhelming, leading to resistance.
Unresolved trauma: For people with past trauma, revisiting painful memories may be too distressing. As a defense mechanism, the mind may resist going deeper into those experiences, even if it’s part of the healing process.
Loss of control: Hypnotherapy, in particular, involves going into a relaxed state and putting trust in the therapist which can feel like handing over control. While hypnotherapy is safe and collaborative, some people may feel resistant to letting go, fearing a loss of being in complete control.
How resistance shows up in hypnotherapy
In hypnotherapy, resistance can show up in various ways. Some clients may struggle to enter a relaxed state, while others might block certain suggestions from taking hold. Common signs of resistance during hypnotherapy include:
- Difficulty relaxing or entering hypnosis
- Breaking concentration during the session or losing focus
- Mental chatter or overthinking while under hypnosis
- Dismissive thoughts like, “This won’t work for me”
These are all natural reactions, and a trained hypnotherapist can help you work through them gently and effectively.
Addressing resistance in hypnotherapy
Overcoming resistance is key to making progress in therapy. Here’s how hypnotherapy can specifically help you move past it:
- Building trust and comfort
One of the first steps in overcoming resistance is developing a trusting relationship with your therapist. In hypnotherapy, trust is essential because clients need to feel safe enough to enter a trancey state, often with their eyes closed. A good hypnotherapist will take time to create a comfortable, non-judgmental environment so you can feel secure and ready to engage. - Reaching the subconscious mind
Hypnotherapy works by accessing the subconscious mind, where the fears and beliefs responsible for resistance have been ‘programmed’. Once under hypnosis, you’re able to work through these barriers in a relaxed, suggestible state, making it easier to release them. - Empowering clients to release control
One of the misconceptions about hypnotherapy is that it involves giving up control. In reality, you are always in control during hypnosis. A hypnotherapist will guide you, but you remain an active participant. Understanding this helps alleviate the fear of losing control, reducing resistance during sessions. - Addressing unresolved emotions safely
Hypnotherapy allows you to explore painful emotions or memories at your own pace, in a safe and relaxed state. This makes it easier to process difficult experiences without being overwhelmed. Through techniques like regression therapy, a hypnotherapist can help you revisit unresolved trauma and begin to heal in a way that feels manageable.
Embracing resistance as part of the process
It’s important to recognize that resistance is not a failure. In fact, it’s often a sign that you are getting close to the issues that need to be addressed for healing and growth. In fact, a good therapist will acknowledge your resistance and work with you to explore its root causes, making it part of the therapeutic process rather than something to fight against. Resistance is simply more information for the therapist to work with.
Conclusion: Hypnotherapy as a tool to overcome resistance
If you’ve been resisting therapy or feeling stuck in your personal growth, hypnotherapy can be an effective way to work with your subconscious and begin moving forward. By gently confronting and working through resistance, you’ll be better equipped to embrace positive changes and reach your goals.
As a hypnotherapist, I specialise in helping my clients work through resistance and unlock their potential through the power of hypnotherapy. If you’re ready to overcome your subconscious barriers and start your healing journey, get in touch today.
Victoria Ward www.victoriawardhypnotherapy.com
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