#512 Use HYPNOSIS to Unlock Deeper Confidence and Uncover Hidden Subconscious Blocks with Todd Goodwin
According to Todd Goodwin, the subconscious mind is responsible for the majority of our behaviors and emotions, often without us being aware of it. In this episode of Creating Confidence with Heather Monahan, Goodwin and his wife Gina explain how traditional talk therapy alone is limited in its ability to change the subconscious beliefs driving our issues. They discuss using techniques like hypnosis, NLP, and visualization to communicate directly with and retrain the subconscious mind, resulting in rapid transformations for clients struggling with trauma, phobias, grief, and other challenges.
The Goodwins share case studies demonstrating these subconscious-focused approaches, where clients experienced profound shifts and recoveries that previous therapies could not provide. By reframing how the subconscious mind perceives past experiences and the self, the Goodwins help clients overcome deep-seated limitations and unlock deeper levels of confidence.
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1-Page Summary
Subconscious Mind's Role in Behavior and Emotions
According to Todd Goodwin, the subconscious drives most of our behaviors and emotions, often without our awareness. He notes the subconscious rapidly learns associations from intense experiences, forming habits, phobias, and emotional responses, similar to Pavlovian conditioning.
Dialogue's Limits in Changing the Subconscious
Goodwin emphasizes that while talk therapy can provide initial help, real change requires engaging the subconscious mind which surpasses the conscious mind in power. Merely talking about issues does little to modify the subconscious beliefs and associations driving problems.
Using Hypnosis and Techniques to Resolve Subconscious Issues
To effect lasting change, Goodwin underscores communicating with the subconscious in ways it understands, rather than relying on willpower alone. He explains that hypnosis, NLP, and visualization techniques can quickly "unlearn" limiting subconscious beliefs by creating new empowering associations.
Identifying and Addressing Subconscious Sources
The Goodwins work collaboratively to identify the subconscious roots causing clients' symptoms and challenges, using hypnosis recordings and techniques to retrain the subconscious mind. As Gina Goodwin states, visualizing goals as already achieved can persuade the subconscious they're reality.
Case Studies Showing Rapid Transformations
Through subconscious-focused approaches, clients experience rapid improvements in severe trauma, grief, anxiety, and habits that traditional therapies could not resolve. Initially skeptical, clients like Heather Monahan become amazed by their swift recoveries.
The Goodwins provide examples of subconscious shifts allowing release from PTSD, grief over death, debilitating phobias, and more. Clients note issues they had for years resolving through subconsciously reframing their self-perceptions and past experiences.
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Clarifications
- Pavlovian conditioning, also known as classical conditioning, is a type of learning where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a reflex response through repeated pairings. This process was famously studied by Ivan Pavlov with dogs salivating at the sound of a bell paired with food. Classical conditioning forms automatic responses to stimuli, influencing behaviors and emotions.
- Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is a method that suggests a link between neurological processes, language, and behavior patterns, aiming to modify these connections for personal growth and goal achievement. It is often used in communication, personal development, and therapy settings. NLP techniques are derived from modeling exceptional individuals and have been applied to various areas like phobias, depression, and learning disorders. Despite its popularity, NLP lacks scientific evidence to support its claims and is considered by many as a pseudoscience.
- Hypnosis recordings and techniques involve using audio recordings or specific methods to induce a hypnotic state in individuals. These tools are designed to help access the subconscious mind and facilitate positive changes by influencing beliefs, behaviors, and emotions. Hypnosis recordings typically guide individuals through relaxation and visualization exercises to promote deep mental receptivity. Techniques may vary but often aim to reframe negative thought patterns, address deep-seated issues, and promote personal growth and well-being.
- Subconscious-focused approaches involve therapeutic techniques that target the subconscious mind to address underlying beliefs and associations that drive behaviors and emotions. These approaches aim to create lasting change by communicating with the subconscious in ways it understands, such as through hypnosis, NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), and visualization techniques. By working with the subconscious mind, these methods seek to reframe limiting beliefs and associations to promote positive transformations in individuals' thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. The focus is on accessing and modifying the subconscious processes that influence behavior and emotions, often leading to rapid improvements in various psychological issues.
- Reframing self-perceptions and past experiences involves looking at oneself and past events from a different perspective. It often entails changing how one interprets and understands their own identity and the events that have shaped them. This process can help individuals overcome negative beliefs or emotions associated with past experiences by viewing them in a more positive or empowering light. Reframing can lead to a shift in mindset, allowing individuals to move forward with a healthier outlook on themselves and their life experiences.
Counterarguments
- The efficacy of hypnosis, NLP, and visualization techniques is not universally accepted; some studies suggest these methods are not effective for everyone and may not have a strong evidence base.
- The role of the subconscious in driving behavior is complex and not fully understood; other factors such as genetics, environment, and conscious decision-making also play significant roles.
- Talk therapy has a substantial evidence base and is considered effective for many mental health conditions; it can lead to deep-seated changes in beliefs and behaviors over time.
- The idea that visualizing goals as already achieved can persuade the subconscious is an oversimplification; goal achievement typically requires active problem-solving and behavioral change strategies.
- Rapid transformations in therapy may not be sustainable; some issues require long-term treatment and relapse prevention strategies.
- The concept of "unlearning" limiting beliefs may not capture the complexity of cognitive restructuring, which often involves integrating new perspectives rather than simply replacing old ones.
- The notion that the subconscious mind is more powerful than the conscious mind is a simplification; conscious awareness and intentionality are also powerful tools for change.
- The use of case studies to demonstrate effectiveness is not as reliable as randomized controlled trials, as they are subject to selection bias and cannot establish causality.
- The idea that the subconscious can be "retrained" may not align with current understanding of neuroplasticity, which suggests that change is often gradual and requires repeated practice.
- The claim that subconscious-focused approaches can resolve issues that traditional therapies could not may overlook the potential for spontaneous recovery or the placebo effect.
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Subconscious Mind's Role in Behavior and Emotions
Todd Goodwin explores the profound influence of the subconscious mind on our behaviors and emotions, proposing its underestimated role in shaping our lives.
Subconscious Drives Most Behaviors and Emotions, Often Unnoticed
Goodwin mentions that the conditioning he discusses operates at the subconscious level, demonstrating that intelligence is not required for such processes, as evidenced by the conditioning of very primitive animals and potentially even bacteria.
Subconscious Mind Stores Associations, Beliefs, and Memories Impacting Our Thoughts, Feelings, and Actions, Even if We Don't Recognize Their Influence
The podcast notes that emotions, particularly when paired with a thought, tend to solidify into memory due to the subconscious influence. Goodwin discusses how subconscious associations, beliefs, and memories forged from past traumas and events strongly impact our current feelings and sense of being stuck.
Behaviors and Emotions Stem From Subconscious, Not Just Conscious Issues
Goodwin elucidates that stress, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts often stem from the subconscious, manifesting as negative visualizations. Furthermore, the podcast highlights that negative self-talk unconsciously generates emotional and physiological responses which can lead to phobias or panic disorders.
Subconscious Mind Surpasses Conscious Mind; Willpower Often Fails to Change Behaviors
Dialogue Is Limited In Addressing Subconscious Issues
The limitations of dialogue in addressing subconscious problems are underscored—the idea being that while talking about issues may be initially helpful, real change requires engaging at a subconscious level.
Subconscious Rapidly Learns Associations, Forming Habits, Phobias, Emotional Responses
Single trial learning, such as the experie ...
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Subconscious Mind's Role in Behavior and Emotions
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Conditioning in very primitive animals and potentially even bacteria involves the process of learning through associations between stimuli and responses, without the need for complex cognitive abilities. This type of conditioning is often observed in simple organisms like single-celled organisms or invertebrates, where they can learn to associate certain stimuli with specific outcomes or behaviors. It showcases that basic forms of learning and adaptation can occur even in organisms with minimal neural complexity. This phenomenon highlights the fundamental nature of associative learning across various levels of biological complexity.
- Negative visualizations can trigger stress, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts by creating mental images or scenarios that evoke fear, worry, or discomfort. These visualizations can be linked to past experiences, traumas, or anxieties, reinforcing negative emotions and thoughts. The subconscious mind often plays a significant role in amplifying these negative visualizations and their impact on emotions and mental well-being. Addressing and understanding these negative visualizations can help in managing stress, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts effectively.
- Single trial learning, also known as one-trial learning, is a learning process where an association is formed after a single experience or exposure to a stimulus. In the context of phobias, single trial learning suggests that a person can develop a phobia after a single traumatic or highly emotional event. This rapid learning occurs at a subconscious level, where the association between the stimulus and fear response is quickly established. This type of learning is often linked to the development of specific phobias, where a strong emotional experience leads to a lasting fear response.
- Pavlovian conditioning in dogs, also known as classical conditioning, is a learning process where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a reflex response through repeated pairings. This concept was famously demonstrated by Ivan Pavlov, who conditioned dogs to salivate at the sound of a bell by repeatedly pairing the bell with food. Over time, the dogs learned to associate the bell with food and would salivate even when food was not present, showcasing how new behaviors can be le ...
Counterarguments
- The role of the subconscious mind, while significant, may not be as dominant as suggested; conscious decision-making and self-reflection can also play critical roles in shaping behavior and emotions.
- The impact of the subconscious on behavior and emotions is complex and can be influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, environment, and conscious thought processes.
- Willpower and conscious effort can be effective in changing behaviors, especially when combined with strategies like habit formation, cognitive-behavioral techniques, and mindfulness practices.
- Dialogue and conscious processing of issues can be therapeutic and beneficial for many individuals, and should not be discounted as tools for personal growth and change.
- The subconscious mind's learning process ...
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Using Hypnosis and Techniques to Resolve Subconscious Issues
Goodwin emphasizes the importance of communicating with the subconscious in a way it understands, rather than relying on willpower, to effect lasting change.
Hypnosis and NLP Techniques Modify the Subconscious Mind
Methods Can Quickly "Unlearn" Limiting Subconscious Beliefs and Associations Causing Problems
Goodwin explains that hypnosis and NLP and various other methods they use can make changes at the subconscious level. Visualization techniques serve as mental rehearsal to construct empowering scenarios, allowing individuals to present their subconscious with evidence of their capabilities. He discusses that associative learning through the subconscious can be influenced using triggers or anchors to evoke emotional responses linked to memories. These understandings can be utilized to change limiting subconscious beliefs and associations quickly by creating new, more empowering associations.
Addressing Subconscious Root Causes Enables Lasting Change Without Constant Effort
Gina Goodwind explains that visualizing a goal and the feeling of achieving it as real as possible can persuade the mind that the goal has been achieved, which in turn should make the actual achievement feel simple. Goodwin mentions that the mind learns and unlearns more quickly than it does through a slow analytical process, implying that hypnosis and similar techniques can modify the subconscious mind more efficiently. Once a disempowering perception is unlearned, the need for techniques like visualization may no longer be necessary, or their use could accelerate the achievement of the individual's goals.
Todd Goodwin explains that when "shit happens," people need to learn how to move on. Issues such as health, relationships, or money are often caused by beliefs, self-worth, or fears. Once the emotional energy is drained from a memory, it opens the way for someone to think differently, showing that addressing the root subconscious causes is essential.
Practitioners Collaboratively Identify Subconscious Sources of Client Challenges
They Address Symptoms and Subconscious Thought Patterns
Todd and Gina Goodwin work with clients to address the subconscious causes of emotional and behavioral challenges. They recognize that what clients perceive as their problem are actually just symptoms. The real challenge is discovering the underlying cause of these symptoms, which they believe is often unknown to the client themselves. Todd Goodwin explains that issues stem from negative emotions and changing the underlying thought process can make individuals feel different, no longer having the urge to engage in counterproductive behavior.
Hypnosis Recordings and Techniques Retrain the Subconscious Mind
Goodwin demonstrates the effectiveness of using hypnosis and NLP techniques to "unlearn" limiting subconscious beliefs and associations. The use of hy ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Using Hypnosis and Techniques to Resolve Subconscious Issues
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Clarifications
- Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is a method that suggests a link between neurological processes, language, and behavior patterns, aiming to facilitate personal development and communication. It involves techniques derived from the work of psychologists like Virginia Satir, Milton Erickson, and Fritz Perls. NLP proponents claim it can help address various issues and model the skills of successful individuals. However, NLP is considered a pseudoscience with no scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness.
- Associative learning through triggers or anchors involves linking a specific stimulus (trigger or anchor) with a particular emotional response or memory in the subconscious mind. This technique aims to create a connection between the trigger and the associated feeling, allowing for the elicitation of desired emotions or behaviors by activating the trigger. Triggers or anchors can be sounds, words, gestures, or any sensory input that, when paired consistently with a specific state, can evoke that state upon subsequent exposure. This process is commonly used in practices like NLP and hypnosis to help individuals modify their subconscious beliefs and associations effectively.
- Unlearning disempowering perceptions involves challenging and changing negative beliefs or thought patterns t ...
Counterarguments
- Hypnosis and NLP are not universally accepted as effective by the scientific community, and some studies suggest that their efficacy may be due to placebo effects or other non-specific factors.
- The idea that visualization alone can lead to goal achievement may oversimplify the complexities of human behavior and motivation.
- The claim that addressing subconscious root causes can lead to lasting change without constant effort may not account for the necessity of ongoing maintenance and conscious effort in personal development.
- The assertion that issues like health, relationships, or money are often caused by beliefs, self-worth, or fears may not fully consider the multifactorial nature of these problems, including socioeconomic factors, biological predispositions, and environmental influences.
- The effectiveness of hypnosis and NLP techniques may vary greatly between individuals, and what works for one person may not work for another.
- The process of identifying subconscious sources of challenges may not always be clear-cut, and there is a risk of misattribution or oversimplification of complex issues.
- The use of hypno ...
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Examples and Case Studies Showing Effectiveness
Several case studies and personal experiences indicate that a subconscious-focused approach in therapy can do more than traditional talk therapy in addressing deep-seated issues. These accounts highlight transformations in client conditions such as trauma, grief, anxiety, and habitual behaviors, which saw rapid improvement after the intervention.
Client Transformations in Trauma, Grief, Anxiety, and Habits
Through the use of hypnosis and subconscious-focused methods, clients with severe issues experience rapid progress.
Severe Issues Rapidly Improved Through Subconscious-Focused Approach
Gina Goodwin resolved her own grief and trauma through hypnosis. She notes that even what might be considered minor trauma can significantly impact life areas, such as business, health, or relationships. Todd Goodwin recounts rapid progress with various clients confronting severe issues, such as PTSD, grief, and fears of death, indicating that these cases were rapidly improved through the subconscious-focused approach he practices.
For example, a client who caught her husband cheating and developed PTSD due to the trauma, another who was involved in an extramarital affair and wanted to stop, and someone struggling with the sudden death of a brother demonstrated significant improvements after sessions with Goodwin.
Clients Skeptical yet Amazed by Rapid Changes
Clients are initially skeptical but find themselves amazed by the changes experienced through subconscious-focused approaches. Heather Monahan, for instance, was doubtful about how hypnosis could help her until she found impactful and positive effects, resulting in significant improvements in her handling of childhood sexual abuse. Moreover, Heather's sudden driving anxiety, which was severe given her history as a confident driver, improved quickly after using techniques provided during hypnosis sessions.
Similarly, a woman who was trafficked by her mother went from being visibly agitated by painful memories to laughing or feeling nothing about those memories after a short period of time. Additionally, a young woman's anxiety and eating habits improved significantly after addressing the subconscious beliefs formed due to her mother trafficking her.
Even the clients themselves are surprised by their recovery. One client highlighted every symptom that had gotten better, astonished at the extent of her recovery over several weeks.
Subconscious-Focused Approach More Effective Than Traditional Talk Therapy
The effectiveness of subconscious-focused therapy is compared favorably to the limitations of traditional talk therapy when addressing challenging emotional and behavioral issues.
Talk Therapy Limited In Addressing Subconscious Beliefs Driving Problems
Goodwin critiques repetitive dialo ...
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Examples and Case Studies Showing Effectiveness
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Counterarguments
- The effectiveness of subconscious-focused therapy, such as hypnosis, may be overstated without rigorous scientific studies to back up the claims.
- Personal experiences and case studies, while valuable, are not the same as controlled, peer-reviewed research and may be subject to confirmation bias or the placebo effect.
- Traditional talk therapy has a substantial body of evidence supporting its effectiveness and can be more suitable for certain individuals or conditions.
- Rapid improvements reported in subconscious-focused therapy may not be sustainable over the long term, and there could be a risk of relapse without ongoing support.
- Skepticism towards hypnosis and similar techniques is not unfounded, as there is a history of misuse and misunderstanding surrounding these practices.
- The idea that subconscious-focused therapy can bypass conscious dialogue could oversimplify the complexity of mental health issues and the therapeutic process.
- The notion that talk therapy is limited to addressing conscious dialogue ignores the depth and breadth of approaches within talk therapy that also aim to access and work with the subconscious.
- The text may not acknowledge the importance of a multimodal approach to therap ...
Actionables
- Explore self-hypnosis apps to start addressing personal issues at a subconscious level. Self-hypnosis apps often come with guided sessions that can help you tap into your subconscious mind to work on issues like anxiety or bad habits. By using these apps regularly, you can begin to experience the benefits of subconscious-focused therapy in the comfort of your own home.
- Keep a dream journal to gain insights into your subconscious thoughts. Upon waking, write down any dreams you remember, focusing on the feelings and themes rather than the specific details. Over time, you may start to notice patterns or recurring issues that could be related to deeper subconscious beliefs, giving you areas to focus on for personal growth.
- Practice mindfulness meditation ...
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