Hypnotherapy is a state of deep relaxation accompanied by high levels of concentration. This method is considered a complementary therapy, meaning it is used alongside medical or psychological treatments to help manage various health conditions.
In practice, a trained and certified hypnotherapist guides patients using verbal suggestions, repetition, and visualization to reach a hypnotic state. This heightened level of focus can help individuals make positive changes in their daily habits and behaviors.
Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri has an internal medicine specialist skilled in hypnotherapy, namely dr. Isa Akbar Browijoyo, Sp.PD, KPPM, CHT, CI, FINASIM.
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What Conditions Can Hypnotherapy Help With?
Hypnotherapy may help address a wide range of health conditions.
Some people use it to support mental health concerns, such as:
- Depression
- Panic attacks
- Phobias (excessive fear of certain objects or situations)
- PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
- Stress or anxiety, especially before medical or dental procedures
Hypnotherapy may also help relieve symptoms of chronic conditions, including:
- Asthma
- Chronic pain (long-lasting pain)
- Fibromyalgia (widespread muscle pain)
- Insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Migraines
In addition, hypnotherapy can be used to:
- Support weight loss in individuals with obesity or excess weight
- Reduce side effects of treatments, such as nausea and vomiting from cancer therapy
- Help with smoking cessation
- Reduce hot flashes and other menopause symptoms
How Hypnotherapy Works and Its Stages
Hypnotherapy generally consists of four main stages:
- Induction
- Deepening
- Suggestions
- Emergence
Many people assume that during hypnotherapy, a person becomes unconscious or falls asleep. However, this is not true. Most individuals remain aware and can recall what happens during the session. In fact, hypnotherapy is quite an active process—you remain focused, aware, and in control of your thoughts and yourself.
1. Induction (Initial Stage)
This is the beginning stage. You will start to feel more relaxed as the therapist helps you focus and ignore external distractions. Common techniques include:
- Visualizing a specific image or thought
- Slowing and regulating your breathing
- Tensing muscles while inhaling and relaxing them while exhaling (progressive muscle relaxation)
2. Deepening
This stage aims to enhance your relaxation and focus. It can be compared to entering a pool: induction is when you step into shallow water, while deepening is when you gradually move deeper.
The therapist may guide you to imagine descending stairs slowly or lying comfortably in bed. These early stages help you become more receptive to suggestions.
3. Suggestions
At this stage, the therapist provides suggestions or guidance to support the desired changes. These suggestions are delivered in a gentle, focused manner, often involving imagination. The goals can be specific, such as quitting smoking, or more general, such as reducing work-related stress.
4. Emergence
This is the process of returning to full awareness. If hypnotherapy is compared to entering water, this stage is like coming back up to the surface. The therapist will gradually guide you back by reversing earlier imagery, such as climbing stairs or getting up from a comfortable resting position.
How Long Does a Hypnotherapy Session Last?
A typical hypnotherapy session lasts around one hour. To achieve noticeable results, multiple sessions are usually needed, depending on the condition and the goals to be achieved.
What Are the Benefits of Hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is considered a safe and low-risk method to help manage certain symptoms or conditions. It is increasingly accepted and recognized as a form of therapy.
Many reported benefits are still anecdotal, meaning they are based on personal experiences. Scientifically, it is not yet fully understood how or why hypnotherapy works. However, this does not mean it is ineffective. The improvements people experience can be real. Simply put, if you feel better after undergoing hypnotherapy, then the therapy can be considered beneficial.
Experts continue to study hypnotherapy to better understand how it works and how it can help more people.
Internal Medicine Specialist with Hypnotherapy Expertise at Mandaya Puri
dr. Isa Akbar Browijoyo, Sp.PD, KPPM, CHT, CI, FINASIM is an internal medicine specialist with subspecialties in psychosomatic and palliative medicine who practices at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri.
He has expertise in managing various medical conditions related to psychological factors, such as acid reflux disorders triggered by anxiety, as well as emotional and social changes in patients with chronic illnesses, including cancer and kidney disease. Treatment approaches may include medications as well as non-medical approaches such as CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and hypnotherapy.
He completed his Internal Medicine specialist training at Universitas Sebelas Maret Surakarta and is a member of the Indonesian Society of Internal Medicine (PAPDI).
dr. Isa Akbar Browijoyo, Sp.PD, KPPM, CHT, CI, FINASIM is available at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri on:
- Monday: 12:00 – 16:00 WIB
- Tuesday: 12:00 – 16:00 WIB
- Wednesday: 12:00 – 16:00 WIB
- Thursday: 12:00 – 16:00 WIB
- Saturday: 08:00 – 12:00 WIB
To make your visit easier, you can use the WhatsApp Chat feature, Book Appointment service, or the Care Dokter app available on Google Play and the App Store to check queue numbers and access more information.
The information provided on this page is intended for educational and general informational purposes only and does not represent the full scope of medical services offered by each doctor. To ensure appropriate treatment for your condition, it is recommended to consult directly with the respective doctor.
If you have any questions, suggestions, or need further information, please contact our call center at 0811-1900-2000.
