Can Hypnosis Really Help? (feat. Rita Black)

In this episode of Salad with a Side of Fries, host Jen Trebek welcomes clinical hypnotherapist Rita Black to explore the science and real-world application of hypnosis for lasting behavioral change. Rita shares her personal journey from skeptical smoker to certified hypnotherapist, revealing how a single session helped her quit smoking without withdrawal or weight gain. She demystifies hypnosis by contrasting therapeutic hypnosis with stage hypnosis, emphasizing that it’s not mind control but a relaxed state where the subconscious mind becomes more receptive to positive suggestions. The conversation dives into the neuroscience behind habit formation—highlighting that only 12% of the mind is conscious and analytical, while 88% is subconscious, driven by identity, beliefs, and automatic patterns. Rita explains how reframing identity (e.g., becoming a 'non-smoker' or 'apprentice of healthy eating') rather than focusing on willpower or restriction can unlock sustainable change. She offers three actionable tools: identity re-framing, mental rehearsal (the 'movie theater technique'), and aversion therapy using vivid mental images. The episode also touches on inner communication, introducing the concept of the inner critic, rebel, and inner coach, and how to shift from self-judgment to self-compassion. Rita concludes with guidance on finding a qualified hypnotherapist and shares her vision for the future of wellness—where mind-based tools like hypnosis, EMDR, and neuroplasticity techniques become mainstream.