Hey There, Hypno-enthusiast!
What if I told you that the roots of modern hypnotherapy go back thousands of years? We’re talking ancient Egypt, Franz Mesmer, Freud, Jung, and even the misunderstood astral plane! In this week’s newsletter, Zac and I are sharing highlights from an exciting podcast we’re recording that traces the fascinating evolution of hypnotherapy.
|
 |
Let’s take a journey through time to see how we got from mystical rituals to the science-backed techniques we use today.
|
|
|
|
|
Ancient Egyptian Sleep Temples
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long before we had comfy therapy chairs and gentle induction scripts, ancient Egyptians were treating mental and physical ailments in sleep temples.These sacred spaces were dedicated to inducing altered states of consciousness through rituals, chants, and incense.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Priests acted as proto-hypnotherapists, guiding participants into trances to heal their bodies and minds.
|
| |
|
Takeaway for Today: Even in its earliest forms, hypnotherapy was about creating a safe, intentional space for healing—something we still strive for in modern practice.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Franz Mesmer and the Birth of Mesmerism
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fast forward to the 18th century, when Franz Mesmer introduced the world to “animal magnetism.” Mesmer’s techniques involved elaborate rituals to align the body’s energy fields. It was wildly popular… until Benjamin Franklin (yes, that Benjamin Franklin) helped debunk it as a placebo.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
This confrontation led to widespread skepticism of hypnosis in the United States. But while Mesmer’s theories didn’t hold up scientifically, his methods laid the groundwork for what we now recognize as hypnotic trance states.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Takeaway for Today: Sometimes, even debunked ideas can inspire progress. Mesmer’s influence persists in the techniques we refine and use now.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Freud and Jung:
Allies and Opposites
|
 |
Sigmund Freud dabbled in hypnosis but eventually abandoned it in favor of free association, believing the hypnotic state wasn’t necessary for accessing the unconscious. His frenemy Carl Jung, however, saw potential in symbolic and spiritual exploration—not unlike what we do in hypnotherapy today.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Freud:
Focused on the personal unconscious and repressed desires.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Emphasized the collective unconscious and archetypes.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Their differing perspectives have influenced how hypnotherapists approach the unconscious mind—balancing analytical exploration with deep, symbolic healing.
|
| |
|
Takeaway for Today: Jung’s emphasis on archetypes and symbols aligns beautifully with hypnotherapy’s work with the subconscious.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Milton Erickson:
The Father of Modern Hypnotherapy
|
|
|
|
|
|
Milton Erickson revolutionized hypnotherapy by taking a conversational and indirect approach. Forget swinging watches—Erickson used storytelling, metaphor, and humor to help clients access their unconscious resources. His innovative methods showed that hypnosis doesn’t have to be rigid; it can be tailored to the individual.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Takeaway for Today: Erickson’s work teaches us that flexibility and creativity are essential in connecting with clients.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Modern Metaphysics and the Astral Plane
|
|
|
|
Lately, there’s been a resurgence of interest in metaphysical practices like astral projection. But are these pursuits really about exploring distant realms, or are they a misunderstood longing to connect with the collective unconscious?
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
As hypnotherapists, we understand that the desire to “leave” our waking reality often reflects a need to reconnect with our inner selves. By grounding these explorations in therapeutic frameworks, we help clients achieve that connection—without the cosmic confusion.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Takeaway for Today: Hypnotherapy bridges the gap between ancient mysticism and modern psychology, offering a grounded path to self-discovery.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Understanding the history of hypnotherapy isn’t just trivia—it deepens your appreciation for the tools we use today. From ancient rituals to Ericksonian storytelling, the evolution of hypnotherapy reflects humanity’s timeless quest for healing and connection.
|
|
|
|
|
How are your sessions going?
|
Reply to this email—I’d love to hear how you’re applying these concepts in your practice. Or let me know what topics you’d like us to cover next!
And don’t forget—our Trauma Focused Hypnotherapy course is still available at the 2024 price, but it’s going up in January! Save a few hundred dollars and sign up now to complete the course at your own pace: Click here to enroll!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Here’s to exploring the past to create a brighter future,
Jesse & Zac
|
|
Co-Founders of Trauma Focused Hypnotherapy
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
