The weight of holding onto past hurts, failed relationships, or missed opportunities can feel like carrying stones in your chest. That familiar ache when memories surface unexpectedly, or the way your stomach tightens when someone mentions their name.

Hypnotherapy offers a gentle pathway to releasing what no longer serves you. Rather than forcing yourself to “get over it,” this approach works with your subconscious mind to naturally loosen those emotional attachments.

What if you could think about your past without that familiar knot forming in your stomach? Imagine moving through your days feeling lighter, more present, truly free to embrace what lies ahead.

What Is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy uses guided relaxation to help you enter a naturally focused state of mind. Think of it like the absorbed feeling you get when reading a captivating book or watching a sunset – aware but deeply relaxed.

In this calm state, your conscious mind becomes quieter whilst your subconscious becomes more accessible. This isn’t about losing control or falling asleep. You remain fully aware and can speak, move, or open your eyes at any time.

Your hypnotherapist uses this relaxed state to help you explore and gently reshape unhelpful thought patterns. It’s like having a conversation with the deeper parts of your mind that hold onto old pain.

The process feels remarkably natural. Many clients describe it as similar to a guided daydream or meditation, but with specific therapeutic direction towards healing and release.

How Effective Is Hypnotherapy for Letting Go?

When we struggle to let go, our brains often become stuck in repetitive neural pathways. Each time we revisit painful memories or regrets, we strengthen these mental grooves, like water carving deeper channels in rock.

Hypnotherapy works by accessing the brain’s natural neuroplasticity – its ability to form new connections. In the relaxed hypnotic state, the amygdala (your brain’s alarm system) quietens, whilst the prefrontal cortex becomes more receptive to positive suggestions and new perspectives.

Research published in the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis shows hypnotherapy can significantly reduce rumination and emotional reactivity to past events. Studies from Stanford University demonstrate measurable changes in brain activity patterns after hypnotic interventions for emotional processing.

One client, Sarah, came feeling trapped by resentment towards her former business partner. After several sessions, she began to notice the tight feeling in her chest lessening. Gradually, she found herself able to drive past their old office without that familiar surge of anger flooding her system.

The process feels like slowly warming your hands after being out in the cold – a gentle thawing rather than sudden change. Forgiveness often emerges naturally as emotional attachments soften.

Individual responses vary considerably. Some people experience noticeable shifts within weeks, whilst others need longer to release deeply held patterns. The key lies in working with your unique psychological makeup rather than against it.

What Happens in a Session for Letting Go?

Your first session typically begins with discussing what you’re ready to release. Your therapist helps identify specific memories, relationships, or situations that feel particularly stuck.

The hypnotic portion starts with progressive relaxation – perhaps focusing on your breathing or imagining yourself in a peaceful place. As your body settles, your mind naturally follows into that focused, calm state.

Your therapist might guide you through visualisations of letting go. This could involve imagining yourself placing heavy objects down, releasing balloons into the sky, or watching leaves float down a gentle stream.

Some sessions focus on reframing past experiences from your wiser, current perspective. Others work with past regret by helping you separate what happened from the meaning you’ve attached to it.

Throughout, you remain in control and aware. If anything feels uncomfortable, you can simply open your eyes or redirect the session. The process should feel supportive, never forcing or overwhelming.

Sessions typically end with gentle emergence and a few minutes to ground yourself. Many people leave feeling surprisingly peaceful, as if they’ve had a long, restorative sleep.

Common Misconceptions About Hypnotherapy

Many people worry they won’t be able to be hypnotised, imagining it requires some special talent. In reality, hypnosis is simply a natural state of focused attention that everyone experiences daily.

The stage hypnotist stereotype creates fear about losing control or being made to do embarrassing things. Clinical hypnotherapy is completely different – a collaborative process where you remain fully aware and in charge.

Some believe hypnotherapy works like magic, instantly erasing painful memories. Actual therapy involves gradual processing and integration, helping you develop healthier relationships with your experiences rather than simply forgetting them.

Another common concern is that hypnotherapy might uncover repressed memories or create false ones. Ethical practitioners focus on your present experience and healing rather than memory retrieval.

How Many Sessions Are Needed for Letting Go?

Most people begin noticing subtle shifts within three to six sessions. You might find yourself thinking about certain situations less frequently, or feeling less emotional charge when they do arise.

Complex patterns of holding on – especially those rooted in childhood experiences or significant trauma – typically require longer work. Some clients benefit from eight to twelve sessions spread over several months.

Progress rarely follows a straight line. You might feel lighter after one session, then notice old patterns returning before gradually stabilising at a new level of freedom.

Your therapist will help gauge your individual needs based on how you respond to initial sessions. Some people prefer intensive work over a shorter period, whilst others benefit from gentle, spaced-out sessions allowing integration time between meetings.

Is Hypnotherapy Right for Me?

If you find yourself constantly replaying past events, feeling stuck in old resentments, or unable to move forward despite wanting to, hypnotherapy might offer the gentle support you need.

This approach works particularly well for people who’ve tried talking therapies but feel they intellectually understand their situation without experiencing emotional release. Sometimes the heart needs different tools than the mind.

Hypnotherapy suits those ready for gradual change rather than quick fixes. It requires some commitment to the process and openness to exploring your inner landscape with curiosity rather than judgement.

Consider whether you’re drawn to approaches that work with emotional regulation through relaxation and subconscious processing. If meditation or mindfulness appeals to you, hypnotherapy might feel like a natural extension.

Explore more about hypnotherapy for Personal Growth & Purpose.

What matters most is your readiness to let go and create space for new experiences. If you’re tired of carrying old burdens and curious about feeling lighter, it might be time to explore what’s possible.

Is Hypnotherapy as Effective Online?

This session can be conducted online from anywhere in the world—research published in the Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare has demonstrated that online hypnotherapy is equally effective as in-person sessions for anxiety, with the added benefits of convenience and accessibility from your own comfortable environment. 

Many clients find that being in their own space actually helps them relax more deeply. 

If after that initial session you feel hypnotherapy isn’t right for you, there’s no obligation to continue. 

Book your introductory session and discover whether this approach resonates with you.