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    Hypnotherapy and the Gestalt Therapy Chair Technique for Anxiety

    Kelly Bearer, MA, LPC, ACHTMarch 3, 2023

    Hypnotherapy and Gestalt Therapy Chair Technique for Anxiety

    Hypnotherapy and Gestalt therapy are two powerful therapeutic modalities that can be used together to address anxiety and promote healing. The Gestalt therapy chair technique is a particularly effective tool for working with anxiety, as it allows individuals to externalize and explore their anxious thoughts and feelings in a safe and supportive environment. Here’s how hypnotherapy and the Gestalt therapy chair technique can work together to promote healing:

    1. Hypnotherapy for relaxation and deepening awareness

    Hypnotherapy can be used to help individuals relax and enter a deeply focused state of awareness. By guiding individuals into a state of hypnosis, a therapist can help them access the subconscious mind and explore their thoughts and feelings in a safe and supportive environment.

    2. Externalizing anxiety with the Gestalt therapy chair technique

    The Gestalt therapy chair technique involves using empty chairs to externalize and explore different aspects of a person’s inner experience. To address anxiety, a therapist may ask an individual to imagine their anxious thoughts and feelings as a person, and then sit in the chair and have a conversation with this imagined figure. This technique can be incredibly powerful in helping individuals externalize and gain a greater understanding of their anxious thoughts and feelings.

    3. Integrating insights with hypnotherapy

    After externalizing their anxiety using the Gestalt therapy chair technique, a therapist can then guide the individual back into a state of hypnosis to integrate their insights and promote healing. During this phase of the session, a therapist may use suggestion, visualization, or other techniques to help the individual replace negative thought patterns with more positive and empowering ones.

    Hypnotherapy and the Gestalt therapy chair technique can be a powerful combination for addressing anxiety and promoting healing. By using hypnotherapy to help individuals relax and access the subconscious mind, and the Gestalt therapy chair technique to externalize and explore anxious thoughts and feelings, a therapist can help individuals gain a greater understanding of their anxiety and develop more positive patterns of thought and behavior.

    If you’re struggling with anxiety, consider working with a hypnotherapist trained in the Gestalt therapy chair technique to promote healing and personal growth.

    Hypnotherapy Training and Certification

    Join our online Meta Hypnotherapy training and certification program. We are dedicated to providing you with the knowledge, skills, and support you need to succeed in the field of hypnotherapy.

    Meta Hypnotherapy is a unique approach to hypnotherapy that integrates Integral Theory with clinical hypnosis techniques. This approach views individuals as complex, multi-dimensional beings with physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects that are all interconnected. By working with all of these aspects, Meta Hypnotherapy aims to promote holistic healing and transformation at the deepest level of lasting change.

    1. Comprehensive Curriculum: Our program covers all aspects of Meta Hypnotherapy, from basic principles to advanced techniques.

    2. Online Convenience: Our online program allows you to study from the comfort of your home, making it easy for you to integrate learning into your busy schedule.

    3. Internationally Recognized Certification: Our certification is recognized worldwide, giving you the confidence and credentials you need to start your own hypnotherapy practice or expand your existing one.

    4. Expert Instructors: Our instructors are highly experienced and knowledgeable in the field of Meta Hypnotherapy, offering you invaluable insights and guidance.

    5. Personalized Coaching: We provide one-on-one coaching sessions to help you develop your skills and address any questions or concerns you may have.

    6. Ongoing Support: We offer ongoing support after completion of the program to help you grow your practice and continue your professional development.

    7. Client Attraction Techniques: We provide strategies for attracting clients and growing your business, including marketing and sales techniques specifically tailored for hypnotherapy.

    8. Holistic Approach: Our program incorporates a holistic approach, addressing not just the symptoms but also the underlying causes of various issues.

    9. Effective Techniques: Our techniques are evidence-based and proven to be effective in helping clients overcome a wide range of issues, including anxiety, phobias, addictions, and more.

    10. Flexible Payment Options: We offer flexible payment options to make our program accessible to everyone.

    If you’re interested in an evidence-based hypnotherapy method that includes energy practices and spirituality, you’ve found the training for you!

    Meta Hypnotherapy is a one-of-a-kind training program designed from the ground up to be delivered online in the most effective way possible for optimal learning, connection, and personal transformation.

    Join our 5-Day Hypnotherapy Training and Certification program and get certified as a Clinical Hypnotherapist.

    Already a hypnotherapist? Ready for the deep end?

    Join our next Past Life Regression Training. Discover your own past lives and get certified while you do.

    Join our Level Two Advanced Spiritual Regression Training and Certification program and get certified as an Advanced Spiritual Regression Specialist.

    At Level 1 Hypnotherapy Certification Training, we train practitioners in these evidence-based approaches, equipping them with the skills to create meaningful change in their clients' lives.

    For those seeking professional support, our Level 3 Advanced Hypnotherapy Training for Groups and Retreats connects you with qualified, certified practitioners who specialize in these techniques.

    The Transformative Power of Hypnotherapy Techniques

    Hypnotherapy stands at the intersection of ancient healing wisdom and modern neuroscience. Practitioners who master these techniques gain the ability to facilitate profound changes in their clients' lives, addressing everything from deep-seated fears to chronic behavioral patterns. The techniques discussed in this article represent just a fraction of what trained hypnotherapists can accomplish. Through professional hypnotherapy training, practitioners learn to customize these approaches for each individual client, creating personalized treatment plans that yield remarkable results.

    Research continues to validate the effectiveness of hypnotherapy across a wide range of applications. Studies published in leading medical journals have demonstrated measurable changes in brain activity during hypnotic trance, confirming what practitioners have observed clinically for decades. This growing body of scientific evidence has led to increased acceptance of hypnotherapy within mainstream healthcare, with more physicians, psychologists, and counselors now referring clients for hypnotherapy treatment. For those interested in deepening their understanding of these evidence-based approaches, the Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapy certification provides comprehensive training in the most current therapeutic techniques.

    Whether you are a practicing therapist looking to expand your toolkit, a wellness professional seeking additional modalities, or someone considering a career change into the helping professions, hypnotherapy offers a fulfilling and effective path. The demand for qualified hypnotherapists continues to grow as more people seek alternatives to traditional treatment approaches. By investing in proper training through an accredited program, you position yourself to make a meaningful difference in people's lives while building a rewarding career. Explore our comprehensive resources to learn more about getting started, or join our free 90-minute Hypnotherapy Masterclass for a firsthand experience of hypnotherapy in action.

    If you are seeking hypnotherapy services for yourself or a loved one, our Practitioner Directory can help you find a BHI-certified hypnotherapist in your area. Our graduates are trained to the highest standards of clinical excellence and ethical practice, ensuring you receive safe, effective care. You can also explore our guided meditation library for self-care resources that complement professional hypnotherapy treatment.

    Curious About Hypnotherapy?

    Watch our free masterclass and see if hypnotherapy is right for you.

    Written by
    KB

    Kelly Bearer, MA, LPC, ACHT

    Clinical Director & Founder, Boulder Hypnotherapy Institute

    Licensed Psychotherapist with 20+ years in mental health and 10+ years of clinical hypnotherapy experience. M.A. in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology from Naropa University. NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (#6571). Published author in the Journal for Integral Theory and Practice.

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    Educational Purpose — Boulder Hypnotherapy Institute provides hypnotherapy education and training. Completion of any BHI program does not guarantee employment, income, or clinical outcomes. Individual results vary based on effort, prior experience, and professional context.

    Licensure & Scope of Practice — Your scope of practice after training depends on your existing professional credentials, licensing board requirements, and jurisdiction. BHI training alone does not confer a license to practice therapy or counseling. Students are responsible for verifying that their use of hypnotherapy skills complies with applicable state and local regulations.

    Continuing Education — CE credits are approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), Provider #6571. CE eligibility and acceptance vary by licensing board and jurisdiction. Students should verify that NBCC-approved CEs satisfy their specific board's renewal requirements before enrolling. Programs designated as "0 CEs" do not offer continuing education credits.

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    Testimonials — Student testimonials reflect individual experiences and are not guarantees of specific outcomes. Results vary based on individual effort, background, and circumstances.

    © 2026 Boulder Hypnotherapy Institute, LLC. All rights reserved. BHI provides educational programs in hypnotherapy and related modalities. Our trainings, membership, and resources are educational in nature and do not constitute licensure, clinical supervision, or medical advice.

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