Trypophobia, the intense fear or disgust triggered by clusters of small holes or patterns, affects millions of people worldwide. From lotus seed pods to honeycomb structures, these seemingly innocent images can provoke overwhelming anxiety, nausea, and panic.

What if you could encounter these patterns without that familiar surge of dread flooding your system? Imagine walking past a display of natural sponges or seeing bubble wrap without your heart racing and palms sweating.

Hypnotherapy offers a gentle yet powerful approach to addressing this phobia. By working with your subconscious mind, it helps rewire the automatic fear response that currently controls your reactions to these visual triggers.

What Is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy combines the deeply relaxed state of hypnosis with therapeutic techniques to create positive change. During hypnosis, your conscious mind becomes quieter whilst your subconscious becomes more receptive to helpful suggestions and new perspectives.

Think of it as accessing your mind’s natural ability to learn and adapt. Just as you once learned to fear these patterns, you can learn to respond differently. The process feels remarkably similar to that drowsy state just before sleep, where your mind drifts and wanders freely.

A qualified hypnotherapist guides you into this relaxed state using their voice, breathing techniques, and visualisation exercises. You remain fully aware and in control throughout the session. Your mind simply becomes more open to exploring new ways of thinking and responding.

This natural state allows you to examine your fear from a calmer perspective, often revealing insights about why these patterns trigger such strong reactions. Many people describe the experience as deeply peaceful and restorative.

How Effective Is Hypnotherapy for Fear of Patterns of Holes?

Research suggests trypophobia stems from an evolutionary survival mechanism. Your brain interprets cluster patterns as potential threats—perhaps resembling dangerous animals, disease, or decay. This ancient alarm system fires instantly, flooding your body with stress hormones before rational thought can intervene.

Hypnotherapy works by helping your subconscious mind recognise that modern hole patterns pose no real danger. Studies in the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis demonstrate significant improvements in phobia symptoms following hypnotic intervention, with many participants showing reduced physiological arousal to their feared stimuli.

The process feels like slowly turning down the volume on an oversensitive alarm system. Where once your nervous system screamed “danger” at the sight of a crumpet or coral, it begins to respond with increasing calm and neutrality.

Sarah, a teacher, found herself gradually able to use certain textbooks again after several hypnotherapy sessions. She began to notice that images which once made her feel physically sick now seemed like ordinary photographs. The intense churning in her stomach had softened to mild awareness, then gentle indifference.

Stanford University research indicates that highly hypnotisable individuals often experience the most dramatic improvements in phobia treatment. However, even those with moderate hypnotic ability typically report meaningful reductions in fear responses and avoidance behaviours.

Individual results vary considerably, but many people notice changes in both the intensity and frequency of their phobic reactions. Some discover they can look at previously troubling images briefly, whilst others find their physical symptoms become much more manageable.

What Happens in a Session for Fear of Patterns of Holes?

Your first session typically involves discussing your specific triggers and how they affect your daily life. Does the sight of a kitchen colander make you shudder? Do you avoid certain websites or nature programmes? Understanding your unique experience helps tailor the treatment approach.

The hypnotherapist guides you into a relaxed state using gentle voice techniques and breathing exercises. You might visualise yourself in a peaceful place—perhaps a calm beach or quiet garden. This creates a safe mental space for exploring your fear without overwhelming anxiety.

Whilst deeply relaxed, you’ll work with images of hole patterns in a very gradual, controlled way. The therapist might start with barely visible, non-threatening patterns and slowly introduce slightly more obvious ones. Your subconscious learns to associate these images with the calm, safe feeling of hypnosis rather than panic.

Many people experience systematic desensitisation during these sessions. The therapist helps you practise remaining calm whilst imagining encounters with your feared patterns. You might rehearse walking past a display of natural sponges or scrolling through photos without that familiar spike of revulsion.

Sessions often include post-hypnotic suggestions—gentle instructions for your subconscious to remain calm when encountering triggers in real life. These mental rehearsals help bridge the gap between the therapy room and your everyday experiences.

Common Misconceptions About Hypnotherapy

Many people worry they’ll lose control during hypnosis or reveal embarrassing secrets. In reality, you remain fully aware and can speak, move, or open your eyes whenever you choose. Hypnosis feels more like deep relaxation than the dramatic trance states portrayed in films.

You cannot be forced to do anything against your will or moral code. Your subconscious acts as a natural filter, accepting only suggestions that feel appropriate and beneficial. Some people even chat normally with their therapist throughout the session.

Another common concern involves being “stuck” in hypnosis. This simply cannot happen. At worst, you might drift into natural sleep and wake up feeling refreshed. Your mind knows how to return to normal waking consciousness just as it knows how to wake up each morning.

Not everyone experiences hypnosis identically. Some people feel deeply relaxed but alert, others notice their attention drifting pleasantly, and some experience vivid mental imagery. All these responses indicate effective therapeutic engagement.

How Many Sessions Are Needed for Fear of Patterns of Holes?

Most people begin noticing subtle changes within three to six sessions, though significant improvement often requires between six to twelve sessions. The timeline depends partly on how long you’ve experienced the phobia and how severely it impacts your daily life.

Some individuals report feeling calmer around mild triggers relatively quickly, whilst more intense patterns might take longer to address. Progress rarely follows a straight line—you might have breakthrough sessions followed by periods of consolidation.

Your therapist will likely suggest practising relaxation techniques between sessions and gradually exposing yourself to very mild triggers as you feel ready. This homework helps reinforce the positive changes happening during therapy.

Many people continue with monthly maintenance sessions even after their main symptoms improve. These help solidify the new neural pathways and provide ongoing support as you navigate previously challenging situations.

Is Hypnotherapy Right for Me?

If your fear of hole patterns restricts your daily activities or causes significant distress, hypnotherapy might offer valuable relief. Perhaps you avoid certain shops, struggle with specific foods, or feel anxious browsing the internet due to unexpected trigger images.

Consider whether you’re open to relaxation techniques and guided imagery. Hypnotherapy works best when you feel comfortable with your therapist and willing to engage actively in the process. Most people with related phobias or those experiencing panic attacks find this approach particularly helpful.

What if you could browse social media without unexpected dread, or visit natural history museums without scanning ahead for problematic displays? Imagine choosing restaurants based on cuisine rather than worrying about decorative elements or food presentation.

The journey towards freedom from trypophobia requires patience and commitment, but many people discover that life becomes remarkably more spontaneous and enjoyable when these patterns no longer hold power over their peace of mind.

Explore more about hypnotherapy for Anxiety & Phobias.

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.