Therapeutic Hypnosis for Health-Related Stress
Are you dealing with health-related stress, discomfort, or worry about an upcoming medical procedure? Are you looking for practical coping tools that may help you relax, steady your mind, and work with your body in a calmer way?
If so, therapeutic hypnosis may be something to consider. At Guy Counseling in Chicago, hypnosis is used as a skill-based, mind-body approach that may help some people with relaxation, self-hypnosis, stress reduction, pre-surgery anxiety, and coping with discomfort.
The goal is not to diagnose, treat, cure, or replace medical care. Instead, therapeutic hypnosis is used as a complementary coping resource that may support the care you are already receiving from your physician, surgeon, specialist, or healthcare team.
Complementary Coping Support — Not Medical Treatment
Therapeutic hypnosis is used here as a complementary coping tool for health-related stress, relaxation, self-hypnosis, and mind-body support. It is not medical treatment and does not replace care from your physician, surgeon, specialist, or other licensed healthcare provider.
Health-Related Concerns Where Coping Skills May Help
In my work with Chicago-based clients, therapeutic hypnosis may be used to help build coping skills around health-related stress, physical discomfort, and medical-procedure anxiety. When a client is actively receiving medical care, this work should be coordinated with the knowledge and consent of the appropriate healthcare provider.
Examples of health-related stress and coping concerns may include:
- Stress related to chronic pain or discomfort
- Anxiety before a planned medical procedure or surgery
- Stress after a medical procedure, when appropriate
- Relaxation skills for neck, back, or body tension
- Stress connected to sports-related injuries
- Mind-body coping skills for IBS or other GI-related stress
- Emotional stress related to ongoing medical care
What Therapeutic Hypnosis Can and Cannot Do
Therapeutic hypnosis may help some people learn calming skills, practice guided imagery, reduce anticipatory stress, and develop a different relationship with discomfort. It may also support mindfulness, breathing, and relaxation strategies.
It does not replace medical evaluation, pain management from a physician, medication, surgery, physical therapy, emergency care, or any treatment plan recommended by your healthcare provider.
What Are the Benefits of Therapeutic Hypnosis?
One of the most meaningful benefits of therapeutic hypnosis is that it can help you learn new coping strategies. For example, if you are scheduled for a medical procedure and feel anxious about it, hypnosis may help you practice relaxation, guided imagery, breathing, and self-soothing skills.
If you are coping with discomfort from an old injury, body tension, or a stress-related physical concern, therapeutic hypnosis may help you build skills for calming the nervous system and changing how you respond to stress signals.
The work is not about pretending discomfort does not exist. It is about learning practical mind-body tools that may help you feel more grounded and better equipped to cope.
A Skills-Based Approach
The therapeutic hypnosis I offer is not designed to “treat” a medical condition. Instead, it is used as a natural coping resource that you can learn, practice, and use outside of sessions when appropriate.
Sessions may include elements of self-hypnosis, guided imagery, mindfulness, meditation, relaxation training, breathing practice, and focused attention. These tools can be especially helpful for people who want a structured way to work with health-related stress.
The process is collaborative, practical, and paced around your comfort level.
Sessions May Include
- Relaxation training
- Guided imagery
- Self-hypnosis skills
- Mindfulness and breathing practice
- Pre-procedure calming strategies
- Stress reduction tools
- Mind-body coping practice
My Background in Hypnotherapy
I am a Board Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist with the National Board for Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists and hold special board certification in medical hypnotherapy. I am also a licensed psychotherapist in the state of Illinois.
You can learn more about my professional background on my bio page.
How Does Therapeutic Hypnosis Happen?
Hypnosis is not stage performance, mind control, or anything mysterious. In a therapeutic setting, it is usually a relaxed, focused state of attention where you remain aware and in control.
During sessions, we may talk about what you are hoping to work on, identify the kind of coping skill that may be useful, and practice relaxation or guided imagery in a way that feels comfortable and respectful.
For more general information, visit my hypnosis and hypnotherapy FAQ page.
When Medical Coordination Matters
If you are seeking therapeutic hypnosis for concerns connected to a medical condition, surgery, injury, chronic pain, gastrointestinal distress, or ongoing healthcare treatment, please speak with your physician or healthcare provider. In some situations, written permission or coordination with your medical provider may be needed before hypnosis services begin.
How Do I Make an Appointment?
You can send a confidential note using the online contact form.
Please note that availability for new clients may be limited. If I am unable to help directly, I may be able to offer a referral to a qualified professional when appropriate.
Therapeutic Hypnosis FAQ
Is therapeutic hypnosis medical treatment?
No. Therapeutic hypnosis is used as complementary coping support. It does not diagnose, treat, or cure medical conditions and does not replace medical care.
Can hypnosis help with pre-surgery anxiety?
Some people use hypnosis-based relaxation, breathing, and imagery skills to cope with anxiety before a planned procedure. It should be used alongside, not instead of, your medical team’s guidance.
Can hypnosis replace pain medication or medical care?
No. Hypnosis should not replace medication, medical treatment, surgery, physical therapy, or any care plan recommended by your physician or healthcare provider.
Will I be unconscious or out of control?
No. In therapeutic hypnosis, you remain aware and in control. The process is usually experienced as focused attention, relaxation, and guided practice.
Do I need permission from my doctor?
If hypnosis is connected to a medical condition, surgery, injury, chronic pain, or ongoing healthcare treatment, it is important to speak with your physician or healthcare provider first. In some cases, written permission or coordination may be needed.
Is this available virtually?
Depending on your location, needs, and clinical appropriateness, virtual sessions may be available. This can be discussed when you reach out.
How do I request an appointment?
Use the online contact form to send a confidential appointment request.
Important Medical and Emergency Note
Therapeutic hypnosis is not a substitute for medical treatment. It is a complementary coping tool that may benefit some people. Please talk to your doctor or healthcare provider about any medical condition, pain concern, procedure, injury, or ongoing health issue.
If you are experiencing a medical or psychological crisis, are in serious pain, or are worried you might hurt yourself or someone else, call 911 or immediately go to your local emergency room.
I am not a licensed medical doctor and do not provide medical diagnosis, medical treatment, or medical advice.
