What to expect when quitting smoking with hypnosis.
When trying to quit smoking, it’s essential to have realistic expectations. Quitting smoking with hypnosis is not a guaranteed success. However, many successful quitting smokers used hypnosis as part of their strategy.
Hypnosis can help people change their addictive behaviors by altering the way their brain functions. When people use hypnosis to quit smoking, they may find it more difficult for them to relapse than if they try to quit on their own.
Sometimes people will come looking for hypnosis to quit smoking and expect it to work like a magic wand. You must have a strong desire and proper motivation to be successful. Be prepared for a hypnotist to question your motives; this is to enhance your success rate.
The success rate of hypnosis for quitting smoking.
According to the American Cancer Society, hypnosis can be an effective tool if you want to quit smoking. The success rate of hypnosis for quitting smoking is estimated to be around 80%, which is higher than any other method. Some research papers quote success rates upwards of 90%. However, individual results depend entirely upon the client.
- Find a hypnotist you are compatible with
- Have strong motivations and desire to quit
- Follow the hypnotist’s instructions carefully
When working one on one, it is crucial to find someone you are compatible with. Hypnosis styles vary from holistic energy work to neurological technicians. If you are looking for a spiritual adventure in quitting smoking and your hypnotist is focused on neural change, the result may not feel effective. The opposite is true; when you want a more science-based approach, and they start talking about chakras, you may lose interest. The best way to find out if you are a good match is to have a video chat to discuss your habit and their approach.
Motivation comes up again because it is the essential part. Quitting for a doctor’s recommendation doesn’t drive lasting change. However, extending your life so you can watch grandkids graduate, now that is a motivation that makes it hard not to change. Don’t panic if you don’t have a good motivation, but be honest. Your hypnotist can help you explore WHY you want to quit and help develop these motivations. Seldom does someone wondering into our offices with the PERFECT motivations.
Hypnosis programs can be strange and may require unusual things. Each of these steps or activities may be engineered for success rates. I ask for specific homework assignments before the session; these are designed to prime your mind BEFORE we even start. We may also ask you to do things after the session and take it all seriously. Your hypnotist has the motivation to get a successful change in your life. Quitting smoking is important enough to take seriously.
Let your hypnotist know if you have difficulty following steps, plans, or assignments. Often there are alternative ways of accomplishing the same results.
How to find a reputable hypnotherapist for quitting smoking.
There are many ways to quit smoking, but hypnosis may be one of the most successful. A study published in the “Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology” in 2007 found that 60 percent of people who used hypnotherapy to quit smoking were still smoke-free a year later.
One reason why hypnosis may be so successful is that it takes the focus off quitting smoking and puts it on self-awareness and change. People learn how to cope with cravings and stressors around smoking, which can help them succeed in quitting.
Before seeking out hypnotherapy for quitting smoking, it’s essential to find a reputable therapist. Interview your hypnotist before you commit. Feel free to ask them about their credentials. This is a field with little regulation but a thousand training opportunities. They should be able to tell you about different kinds of training, even specific training for working with smokers.
You can also ask about their affiliations; there are several national and international certification groups. Being certified by one of these groups can help assure they have had a professional level of training. You can also ask for recommendations. Find friends or family who has quit using hypnosis and ask how it worked for them.
Conclusion
If you have any questions, reach out to me. Schedule a free call. I want to make sure you are entirely comfortable with the process before beginning.