Introvert or extrovert: How does this work with hypnotherapy?

Do you prefer 1-on-1 conversations with someone or do you enjoy partying with a group of friends? Do you like to be the center of attention or are you the person who just looks admiringly at the extroverted artist? In this blog article we take a closer look at the effects of being introverted or extroverted and what effect this can have on hypnotherapy, a must-read for (aspiring) hypnotherapists.

Am I introverted or extroverted?

Introvert or extrovert are two different character traits that deal with your need for human contact. People who are extroverts enjoy being with people more because those people can "reward" them back with attention, social recognition and fun activities.

In general, extroverts are happier than introverts and are better at maintaining positive feelings. However, if they’re in a bad mood, they’re no better than introverts at pulling themselves out of it.

One way to improve your mood is by exhibiting extroverted behavior, even if you're introverted it works.

In addition, you can also be a kind of mix of introvert and extrovert, in which case you are called ambivert[1].

A few characteristics you can recognize extroverts by are:

1. Just a little bolder.
2. Assertive.
3. Active.
4. Merry.

This is them to a greater extent than introverts.

Extraverts seem better, and that hinders introverts

In Western culture, you may have gotten the idea that you have to be extroverted because you get all kinds of signals from television and social media, for example, that that is what is socially appealing or rewarding.

Interestingly, in a study from Australia involving approximately 350 participants, the majority of people indicated that they wanted to be more extroverted. Their belief was that this is better, but that doesn’t have to be the case at all.

So it's also quite normal to be more introverted, than extroverted. You are far from being the only introvert, if you do not recognize the characteristics of being extroverted. The research also shows that if you can simply be your authentic self as an introvert, it contributes to your feelings of happiness.

So do you prefer to meet with 1 friend, or want to relax with a book in the evening, because that's just your preference. Then do that, because it will make you happier than meeting up with more people and going to parties because you think that's how it should be[2].

What kind of clients can you expect as a therapist?

Based on this information, you might think that as a therapist you’ll mainly see introverts on your couch or in your chair, but that’s not entirely the case. You can have a great group of friends, but if that still doesn’t quite bring you complete happiness, this can also lead to less life satisfaction for extroverts.

For introverts and extroverts in particular, it is the question "Am I satisfied with my life?" that causes them to seek or not seek help to improve their lives[3]. So you can count on both "types" of people as therapists.

Introvert or extrovert and therapy

Because introverts and extroverts are energized by different activities, this can also influence what kinds of therapies help better and less well.

What is interesting, for example, is that autogenic training (a workout that provides relaxation for the body and mind), helps introverts better than extroverts.

After all, you basically just have to "do nothing," and that is difficult if you are extroverted. Introverts suffered less bad mood after autogenic training than extroverts.

If someone is both an introvert and neurotic, autogenic training is definitely something that can be helpful[4].

When it comes to hypnosis, things work a little differently. For example, research shows that people who are extroverted in mind are easier to put into hypnosis with rapid inductions than introverts.

But hypnotizability becomes the same again when interest in hypnosis is also considered. So for a hypnotherapist, it does not matter whether someone is introverted or extroverted, because people really only go to a hypnotherapist when they are interested in it anyway, and so hypnosis is easy to achieve in both cases[5].

Health Problems

What’s interesting is that in our “extroverted” society, people who are more introverted may suffer more from depression. What’s interesting is that during the COVID-19 pandemic, when people simply weren’t really expected to socialize, introverts suffered from depression just as much as extroverts.

This also shows that how society is can affect how you think you "should" be. If that does not match being introverted, it can cause depression problems[6].

This is primarily due to the feeling that introverts have that they cannot be themselves.

Introverts are also more susceptible to developing an alcohol addiction. This may be because they use alcohol to become more extroverted. Recovery from alcohol addiction can also be more difficult for introverts[7].

Other research shows that introverts are more likely to suffer from low self-confidence and experience less social support[8].

And because introverts often have less social support and like to solve their problems themselves, they can suffer more trauma. In extroverts, if social support does not provide a solution, trauma can still be problematic[9].

It’s not true that people who are more extroverted never experience problems. For example, are you both extroverted and neurotic? If so, you may be more prone to anxiety[10].

Problems that you as a hypnotherapist can therefore tackle where introversion may play a role are,

1. Low self-esteem.
2. Addictions.
3. Impeding beliefs to be themselves.

For extroverts, anxiety and being overly neurotic can be a problem you may help clients with.

In both cases, trauma can therefore arise, but for extroverts, this can become a real problem if their usual coping mechanism—namely, interacting with people—doesn’t help them process the trauma.

Introverts try to process their trauma on their own, but not having the knowledge on how to do so can cause additional problems.

Encouraging Creativity

In hypnotherapy, some level of creativity is also expected from the client. Naturally, you take into account your client's way of thinking. Is it someone who thinks in images? In language? In sound? This is what you as therapist make use of.

But overall, what can you say about fostering creativity?

People who are extroverted—or who are open to new experiences—are generally more creative than others. Is someone more introverted? Then relaxation[11] can help.

In that sense, the hypnotic state also helps introverts get nice and creative with the hypnotherapist's suggestions.

Background noise can also make a difference; for example, extroverts are more creative when music is on in the background, while introverts do not necessarily need it[12].

Giving Hypnotherapy

When it comes to hypnotherapy itself, it doesn’t matter whether someone is an introvert or an extrovert. Because there is an interest in hypnosis, inducing a hypnotic state will already be easier.

You can use either technique to help people regain their power, live according to their own terms, and process unpleasant experiences.

In case the social environment in someone who is extroverted has not helped with the problems, conducting a social panorama can be important to put people in the right place.

For introverts, this can also be important, precisely to encourage them to take advantage of the people in their social network. Especially the people with whom they have a good click.

So too can boosting self-confidence, this can be done with the technique of the dream, among other things.

And beyond that, of course, it's looking at the techniques you learn in our training and selecting the right one for that for your client's problem.

Learn Hypnosis

Would you like to become a hypnosis practitioner to help people? Then come to a free masterclass to get started.

Or register directly for one of our events and trainings. There you'll also get demonstrations of the techniques. You will then see immediately how quickly people can change, which is just magical to see.

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