How Effective is Hypnosis for Confidence?

Hypnosis for confidence enhancement claims to improve self-confidence by re-programming the impulses of the subconscious mind. Hypnosis for confidence claims to use the power of hypnotic suggestions to influence the subject's subconscious mind. Hypnotherapists believe that suggestions made while the subject is in a trance state can eventually override the negative subconscious beliefs that may be the root of low confidence or low self-esteem. Hypnosis for confidence building is said to be very effective.

The process of hypnosis is said to work by putting the subject into a state of trance. This state allows the subject to focus wholeheartedly on the instructions of a hypnotherapist. Subjects under hypnosis are often able to vividly imagine the scenes and circumstances a hypnotherapist might describe. They often enter a mental state known as suggestibility, in which the ideas the hypnotherapist puts forth take on additional power to influence the subject's beliefs and feelings.

Most hypnotherapists believe that subjects can only be hypnotized voluntarily. Subjects usually can't be compelled to do things they don't want to do by hypnotic suggestion. Hypnosis for confidence and other behavioral problems like smoking, generally works best if the subject is completely willing to make the desired changes in behavior. If a subject is not completely willing to make the changes, or is attempting to do so grudgingly for any reason, those changes will most likely be difficult or impossible to make, even with the help of hypnosis.

Hypnosis is said to be effective for confidence because it allows the subject a safe environment in which to address the intimidating situations in his life. Hypnotherapists can usually guide the subject through an imaginary, mental re-enactment of any act or circumstance that is sapping the subject's confidence. If the subject is suffering from low self-confidence due to negative messages heard in childhood or at any other point in life, the hypnotherapist might suggest replacing those negative messages with positive ones during hypnotherapy.

Most hypnotherapists would accomplish this by putting the subject into a state of hypnosis, and then repeating, or asking the subject to repeat, positive statements about himself. These new positive messages are now, theoretically, implanted in the subconscious. If this process is repeated enough times, the subject's subconscious beliefs will change and he will enjoy permanently augmented self-confidence.