Accessing the Inner Wise Self: Hypnotherapy for Intuition and Self-Trust
If the word "hypnotherapy" conjures images of folks clucking like chickens on a cruise ship stage for laughs, you probably have received messaging just like the rest of the world, not knowing that stage hypnosis and hypnotherapy are very different schools of thought, but are often culturally lumped together.
The Actual Download on Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy, unlike stage hypnosis, is a therapeutic modality that helps you access altered states of consciousness not always for party tricks, but for deep healing, insight, and transformation.
Put simply, hypnotherapy is like a direct hotline to your unconscious mind, and when done intentionally, it can help you connect to a part of yourself that’s grounded, and knows exactly what you need. This part is colloquially known as your inner wise self, wise advocate, highest self, whichever sounds most fitting to you.
Why Your Inner Wise Self Matters
Your inner wise self isn’t some mystical unicorn version of you that is wholly unattainable. It’s the version of you that exists underneath all the conditioning, self-doubt, and noise. It’s the “you” who knows when a relationship is off, when a boundary needs to be set, or when it’s time to stop saying yes to things when your body is screaming no.
The problem? That voice gets drowned out by anxiety, pressure, self-comparison, trauma, and the slew of contributing factors that can feel endless. Hypnotherapy helps turn down the volume on the chaos and tune into your inner clarity, or help you find it for the first time. When I first was hypnotized, it felt like clearing the static of everyone’s frequencies around me, so I could finally hear and exist on my own station again.
Okay But...Is It Woo-Woo?
Hypnotherapy gets a bad rap as being “too woo” or “not science-y enough” as it’s often associated with spiritual growth, guided imagery and (at times) mystical inner journeys—but guess what? That doesn’t make it any less legit!
In fact, clinical hypnotherapy has been studied and supported for issues like:
Anxiety and stress reduction
Chronic illnesses and pain management
Trauma processing
Addictions (substances, gambling, tech, etc)
Sleep improvement/Insomnia
And yes! Connecting with intuition and cultivating self-trust
The American Psychological Association recognizes hypnotherapy as a valid psychological technique when practiced by trained professionals to treat a myriad of client concerns, and there are many studies that utilize hypnosis as a mechanism for healing that posit great results.
How Hypnotherapy Actually Works
Despite what movies might have you believe, hypnosis is not mind control. During an intake session, myth busting and hearing concerns is one of the most important parts of the work for me as a hypnotist. When one is in trance, they are not unconscious, asleep, or under a “spell.” Consent is a huge part of my process as to my regular talk therapy, and clients that have done hypnosis with me report feeling deeply relaxed, comfortable and in a focused state—somewhere between meditation and daydreaming.
In that state, your brainwave patterns shift from busy beta waves (aka “anxious to-do list brain”) into slower alpha and theta waves. These states make it easier to:
Bypass mental resistance
Access emotional memories and intuitive knowing
Rewire unhelpful beliefs
Meet internal parts of you (like the anxious achiever or the inner critic) and help them chill out a bit
This is the sweet spot where your inner wise self tends to hang out.
How Hypnotherapy Helps You Access Intuition and Self-Trust
Here’s how hypnotherapy helps you rebuild trust in yourself—and your own inner GPS:
1. It reconnects you with your body.
A lot of us have learned to override our bodily instincts or struggle with interoception. In hypnotherapy, you’re guided into a space where you can listen to the subtle cues your body is giving you. This is often where intuition first shows up—a gut feeling, a tight chest, a lightness in the heart.
2. It helps you bypass the inner critic.
You know that voice that second-guesses everything? “Should I really say that?” “Do I actually know what I’m doing?” “Is everyone silently judging me right now?” That’s your inner critic. In hypnotherapy, we meet the fears behind that voice so that deeper truths underneath can come forward. When your inner wise self speaks, it’s not pushy or panicked—it’s calm, grounded, and trustworthy.
3. It creates emotional safety for insight.
Accessing intuition isn’t just about logic—it’s about feeling safe enough to hear what you already know deep down. Hypnotherapy can greatly support nervous system regulation, which makes it easier to explore vulnerable truths without shutting down or spiraling.
4. It fosters compassionate self-dialogue.
Many hypnotherapy sessions include imagery work, inner child healing, or parts integration. You might “meet” a younger version of yourself, a protective part, or a symbolic figure that offers wisdom. These aren’t just imaginative exercises—they’re powerful ways to build inner coherence and self-compassion.
What a Hypnotherapy Session Might Look Like
Here’s what typically happens in a session:
Initial Chat – You and your therapist talk about what you’re hoping to work on or explore.
Guided Induction – You’re led into a relaxed, focused state using breath, body awareness, or visualization.
Therapeutic Work – This might include guided imagery, regression to earlier memories, or dialogue with inner parts. This is where the power of suggestion leads you into deeper thought and feeling.
Integration – You’re gently brought back to your alert state and talk through what came up, how to apply it, and create a feedback loop of what worked or did not work for you.
Myth bust: You won’t “get stuck” in hypnosis. You can open your eyes and come back to the room at any time, and some folks choose to be in trance with their eyes open. You’re in control the whole time.
Is This for Me?
If you’ve been feeling stuck, indecisive, disconnected from your gut instincts or like you lost the memo on how to trust yourself, hypnotherapy might be worth exploring.
It’s especially helpful if you:
Overthink everything
Struggle with self-doubt
Have done talk therapy and want to go deeper
Feel like your intuition is blocked or confusing
Want to connect to something bigger than your brain’s running commentary
Also, if you’re someone who loves insight but tends to override it with action or perfectionism (hi, fellow recovering overachievers), this modality can help you slow down enough to actually hear yourself.
Final Takeaways: You Are Not Broken—You’re Just Noisy Inside
Here’s the deal: You already have inner wisdom, intuition and you already have what you need. Hypnotherapy isn’t about “fixing” you, it's about removing the static, clutter, the loud opinions and internalized shame so you can remember what you already knew all along. Sometimes, all it takes is a little guidance, a safe container, and the willingness to close your eyes and tune in.
Your inner wise self is not lost. They’re just waiting for you to knock.
If you’re curious about exploring hypnotherapy, we’d be honored to support you in-person in West Nashville or virtually across the state of Tennessee. Reach out today to start your hypnotherapy journey.
