Regression to Root Cause Hypnotherapy
- Christin Curtis
- Jul 29
- 6 min read
Regression to Root Cause Hypnotherapy
Many of my Manchester & Cheshire clients ask me about regression hypnotherapy-what it really is, how it works, and whether it could help them. In this post, I’ll explain what happens during a regression session, when I might use it with clients, and even share my own deeply personal experience of how transformative this approach can be.
What type of hypnosis do you usually use with your clients if not regression?
Most of the time, I work with suggestion hypnotherapy, also called traditional hypnotherapy. You can read more about it in my blog:
This is the most commonly used type of hypnotherapy. It works by giving you direct suggestions while you are in a relaxed, hypnotic state. Personally, I often prefer to use metaphors and indirect suggestions, which are key elements of Ericksonian hypnosis, named after Milton Erickson.
When does traditional hypnotherapy have limited success?
Firstly, for any type of therapy to work, you must be willing and ready to change. This may sound simple, but it’s not always the case. Sometimes, people seek help because a friend, family member, or even their boss suggests it.
Take a moment to pause and ask yourself: Is this what I truly want? Positive change can only happen if you’re prepared to step out of your comfort zone—not just to please someone else.
For example, let’s imagine Peter books a consultation with me because his doctor and wife told him he should stop smoking. If Peter secretly enjoys smoking and doesn’t genuinely want to quit, hypnotherapy may have limited results. Even if it works temporarily, he could return to smoking years later.
That’s why I always ask my clients about their “why”—and why now?
Sometimes, we see great progress in therapy but then hit a wall. This can happen when there’s a deeper reason—known as a secondary gain—for holding on to an unwanted habit or belief. These reasons are often rooted in past experiences, sometimes hidden from conscious memory because they once served to protect you.
Every behaviour usually has a positive intention. For instance, if you believe sugary foods bring you comfort or smoking helps you relax, then your deeper goal is to feel safe and calm. Until we address that underlying need, simply removing the habit won’t work long-term.
What is Regression to Root Cause Hypnotherapy?
In a regression session, we begin just as we would with any other hypnotherapy session. After guiding you into hypnosis, we create a safe mental space—a place you can return to anytime if things feel overwhelming.
From there, regression can take different paths:
There may be no single root cause, just a learned behaviour.
Your subconscious may not be ready to reveal the root cause—and we always respect that.
Or, we may access the original event or memory behind issues like anxiety, disordered eating, or low self-esteem. Only then can true healing begin.
I often combine regression with techniques such as inner child healing and Gestalt therapy to help release negative ties to old events, feelings, or relationships so that you can finally move forward.
Can I book regression hypnotherapy only?
No, I don’t recommend jumping straight into regression therapy. Typically, I see new clients for at least two traditional hypnotherapy sessions first. This helps us build trust and determine whether regression is truly needed and beneficial.
Are there risks with regression therapy?
The purpose of regression hypnotherapy is to go back to the root cause of a problem in order to understand and heal it. This can be deeply transformative, but it’s important to be aware of potential risks:
Memories hidden for a reason: Sometimes, certain memories are hidden by the subconscious mind to protect you. If these are revealed during a session, you may need to process and deal with them consciously afterward, which can feel challenging.
Choosing the wrong therapist: Regression work requires skill and experience. A therapist who is not properly accredited or adequately trained might unintentionally ask leading questions, which could lead to false or distorted memories. This is why it’s crucial to work with a qualified, experienced hypnotherapist you trust.
Emotional intensity (abreaction): Accessing deep-rooted memories can trigger strong emotional releases, known as abreactions. These feelings are a natural part of healing but can sometimes feel overwhelming and may temporarily intensify for a few days after the session.
Support after sessions: Because of the emotional depth of this work, I always make sure clients have a personal support network in place. If further professional help is needed—such as talking therapy—I can connect you with trusted practitioners in my network to ensure you are fully supported.
With proper guidance and a safe therapeutic environment, these risks can be carefully managed, allowing you to move through the process at a pace that feels right for you.
Do you offer past life regression?
No, I do not personally facilitate past life regressions. My focus is on clinical hypnotherapy that helps with issues rooted in your current life experience.
Why did you add regression to your offerings?
I believe it’s essential for a professional hypnotherapist to offer regression therapy for two key reasons:
Sometimes, traditional hypnotherapy reaches its limits, and regression allows us to go deeper to achieve real transformation.
In rare cases, a client may spontaneously regress without guidance, and the therapist must be skilled in handling it safely.
Have you ever had a regression session yourself?
Yes—I experienced an incredibly transformative regression session myself during my training with my teacher, Bobby-Jo. As part of the course, my session was observed by a few fellow students. At first, I honestly didn’t think I would regress. I felt so aware of everyone watching and worried that because I wanted it so much, it might feel forced.
In that moment, I remember telling myself internally: “Sod it—if I don’t regress, there’s nothing I can do, and we’ll all still learn something from the experience.” The moment I let go and surrendered, regression happened naturally. I was taken back to the day I learned that my dad had committed suicide. I won’t share all the details here, but I can tell you that there were many tears, many tissues, and a huge emotional release.
Afterwards, the wonderful women on the course hugged me, told me how brave I was for allowing them to witness such a personal moment, and checked in on me for days afterward. Their support was incredible. The session helped me finally understand the problem I had been carrying with me for over 20 years, allowed me to do some deep healing work, and—after a few days of strong emotions—helped me move through and release a weight I didn’t realise I was still holding.
Looking back, I realise I had been in a bit of denial about how my dad’s death had shaped me. I used to think it simply made me stronger—that grieving was something I had completed decades ago and should therefore be “over” by now. But grief doesn’t work like that. Yes, it made me stronger, but it also softened me, made me more empathetic, and helped me understand others more deeply.
What I’ve learned is that grief is not something you finish and set aside, like closing a book. It becomes a part of you, and you get to decide what role it plays in your life. Even now, when I meditate, there are days when sadness surfaces because of my dad, and days when I feel anger that he left me. But how can you truly be angry at someone who was in so much pain from depression?
All these emotions are valid. I’ve learned to sit with them, to allow them to be felt, instead of running from them. Healing is not a race or a goal to achieve—it’s a lifelong journey of self-understanding and compassion.
Bringing it all together
I hope that I have covered the most common questions and helped you gain a better understanding of what regression hypnotherapy is and what it is not.
It is a very complex topic and I could write on for pages but to keep it short and sweet I kept it brief and hopefully to the point.
For further questions and to take your first step toward lasting change please don't hesitate to book in for a FREE telephone consultation .
With Love
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