🪨 Am I a Burden?

Trauma often teaches survival strategies that outlive the danger. If opening up once led to betrayal, abandonment, or abuse, the subconscious records a permanent warning label: “Don’t try that again.”

Over time, the client internalizes this fear as identity: “I must be the problem. My needs are too much. My story is a burden.”

It’s a false belief, but it feels safer than risking rejection all over again.

Here are some common subconscious beliefs you’ll hear from clients:

• “If I’m vulnerable, I’ll be rejected.”
• “People only like me when I hide the real me.”
• “My story makes others uncomfortable.”
• “Needing help means I’m weak.”

Sound familiar? These are not truths! They’re trauma’s propaganda campaign. And hypnotherapy gives us the tools to confront and rewrite them.

How to Address This in Hypnotherapy

So what can you do in session when these lies surface? Here are some practical steps:

Before you go near reframing, use ego-strengthening. Suggestions like:
“You are worthy of being heard. Your story can be shared without fear. You can choose when and how to connect.”

This lays the groundwork for deeper change.

Metaphors bypass defenses. Invite your client to imagine themselves as part of a flock of birds, a grove of trees, or a community where each piece contributes to the whole. Let their subconscious see that connection isn’t just safe, it’s natural.

In trance, guide them toward new meaning. For example:

“You don’t need to decide for others that you’re too much. Give them the chance to choose you.”

“Your story isn’t a burden. It’s an invitation for connection.”

Ask their unconscious to show them an image of what it feels like to connect safely. Then explore what steps that part of them needs to take to feel more comfortable.

End the session by planting seeds of agency:

“You can allow others to support you.”

“Each time you share your story, you feel stronger.”
“You are not too much. You are enough.”

Listen, we’ve all had moments of believing we were too much. Even as therapists, we wonder if we’re a burden when we share our struggles with colleagues. The difference is, we’ve practiced reframing it. Our clients haven’t… yet.

Your role as a hypnotherapist is to hold up the mirror so they can see who they really are: someone worthy of love, connection, and friendship.

They don’t need to let trauma keep writing the script. They can choose connection. And with your guidance, they will.

If this resonates, it’s because hypnotherapy works. This is exactly the kind of transformation we train counselors in through our Trauma Focused Hypnotherapy Certification Course.

👉 Click here to learn more and sign up

And don’t forget! Our next Quarterly Meeting is happening:
📅 October 25th, 9am–12pm
📍 Winter Park Office

And don’t forget! Join us for free coffee, breakfast, live demos, and real talk about the work we do every day. You’ll leave with tools you can use right away in your practice.

Here’s to reminding our clients (and ourselves) that we are never too much.