What is hypnosis?

Contrary to what the media wants you to believe, hypnosis is not related to the supernatural, mind control, or religion.  In fact, hypnosis is psychology in action.  Hypnosis is a communication process that bypasses the critical factor of the mind (the conscious mind) and establishes new acceptable, selective thinking in the subconscious mind.  While hypnotized, the subconscious mind is highly available and receptive to new suggestions, beliefs, and ideas.  As long as the suggestions delivered are selective, acceptable and within a person’s moral orientation they will be accepted by the subconscious mind as a new truth or reality.  Hypnosis is a process that allows both parts of the mind, the conscious and subconscious, to accept and believe the same message, which results in success.  For a more detailed explanation of hypnosis click here*****

 Can Anybody Be Hypnotized?

Anyone of average intelligence and better can be hypnotized.  As long as the person is comfortable with the process of hypnosis, and trusts the hypnotist they can, and will easily be hypnotized.  The only people who are unable to be hypnotized are those with organic brain damage (lack the ability to concentrate and focus), and people who have a fear or resistance to hypnosis or the hypnotist.  There is a myth out there that says that only weak willed, and unintelligent people can be hypnotized and this myth could not be farther from the truth.  In fact, the more intelligent and strong willed the person is the better the hypnotic client they will be.  A person’s ability to focus, concentrate, and respond to the hypnotist will determine the depth of hypnosis that client will achieve.  This is why intelligent people tend to be the best hypnotic clients.  Statistically, 60% of the population will experience a medium to deep level of trance on their first session.  20% will experience profound depths of hypnosis, and the other 20% will enter a little to medium depth of hypnosis.  Behavioral changes like quitting smoking, reducing weight, improving your golf game, and so on can occur even in the lightest depths of hypnosis with the proper motivation.  If a person is not naturally receptive to hypnosis, they can improve with practice.  In fact, each time a person is hypnotized either by a hypnotist, or through self-hypnosis improvement will occur and it will get easier and easier for that person to enter deeper levels of hypnosis.

 Can Hypnosis Be Dangerous?

No.  Hypnosis is completely safe and never presents any risks to the person being hypnotized.  Being in a state of hypnosis is as natural as being in a daydream.  The hypnotic induction and process is never dangerous.  The only thing that could occur is personal disappointment because of unrealistic expectations, or preconceived misconceptions that one might have about hypnosis.  Disappointment arises when someone expects what they see in the movies or have read about in strange fiction books.  Hypnosis is rare because it is one of the only therapeutic methods available that enables rapid success and where there is no risks or side effects. 

 What Does The Medical World Think of Hypnosis?

The American Medical Association, The American Psychiatric Association, and The American Dental Association all have approved the use of hypnosis by trained professionals since 1958.  Dentists are using hypnosis for painless dentistry.  It is being used by doctors to replace anesthesia for surgeries, and to aid in the healing process.  Women are even using hypnosis and are having painless childbirths! 

 Does A Hypnotist Have Control Over Me?

No.  A person will never lose control to a hypnotist while hypnotized.  Hypnosis actually allows you to take back control of an area of your life.  All hypnosis is self-hypnosis. The hypnotized client is always in control at all times and about 80-85% of the process is their responsibility and only 15% of the process is the hypnotist’s responsibility. 

A hypnotist can only do so much and most of the responsibility is that of the client.  A hypnotist serves only as a guide in the process and has no power or control over a person.  When a person is hypnotized, they have the power to open their eyes at any time and end the session.  A hypnotized client also has the ability to reject suggestions while hypnotized.  For hypnotherapy to be effective, a therapeutic alliance must be made.  A therapeutic alliance is when two people agree to work towards a common goal.  In other words, a hypnotist and a client must trust each other and work as a team.  The hypnotist agrees to deliver the best hypnosis session they possibly can and the hypnotic client agrees to be hypnotized and accept the suggestions given by the hypnotist.  Hypnotherapy is like a dance, one person leads, and the other follows.  The hypnotist can lead you to success and if the client agrees to follow they will achieve what they set out to do. 

 Do I Go Unconscious When I Am Hypnotized?

No.  When a person is hypnotized they are never unconscious, asleep, or unaware.  Hypnosis is not sleeping rather it’s more a daydream like state of mind.  When you are asleep, you diffuse all of your concentration, making it impossible for hypnosis or learning to occur.  When you are hypnotized, you are in a state of relaxed focus, concentrating fully on the words of the hypnotist.  You are completely aware, and alert the entire time.  While you are hypnotized, you will be very relaxed, and will be able to hear everything going on around you.   You will always hear and remember everything the hypnotist says.  You will also be aware of all the other sounds that occur throughout or outside the room.  Hypnosis is an alerted state of consciousness that is very similar to the one you experience every night right before you fall asleep.  It’s like those few minutes when you not quite asleep, but your not awake.  You are just lying in bed, very relaxed, and all the sounds you hear are just background noise to you.  Again, hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness, one in which you are fully aware and in control the entire time.  You have experienced this state of mind everyday of your life and you can utilize it to improve your life. 

 Will I Reveal All My Secrets When I Am Hypnotized?

Hollywood is responsible for making people believe that hypnosis is related to a truth serum.  Hypnosis is in no way related to a truth serum.  No one can be made to reveal their secrets when they are hypnotized.  You are aware and in control at all times while hypnotized and would never do or say anything you normally wouldn’t.  Most people are unaware that someone can lie just as easy while hypnotized as they can while they are wide awake. 

 I Watched That Movie, Can You Really Get Trapped In Hypnosis?

Absolutely not. No one has ever gotten trapped in hypnosis in the history of the world and no one ever will.  Hypnosis is very similar to a daydream, or getting lost in a good book.  Could you ever get trapped in a daydream?  As much as we might want too, it is impossible for a person to get stuck in a daydream, and the same applies to hypnosis.  If something were to happen to the hypnotist or if they were to leave during the session, the hypnotized client would do one of two things, open their eyes because of boredom or fall asleep and wake up just like taking a nap.  There is no way of getting stuck in hypnosis. 

 How Does Hypnosis Help People?

The ability to reprogram and recondition the mind is an ability in which every human being possesses.  Hypnosis is one of the most functional and effective methods of achieving this.  Through the use of hypnosis, a person can literally redesign their destiny, and correct old ways of behaving very rapidly by working with the subconscious mind, rather than struggle for years trying to change things that the conscious mind is unable to do.  Hypnosis helps people because it provides a means for overcoming everyday problems, like smoking and weight reduction, at lightning like speed.

 Will My Results Be Permanent?

Hypnotic suggestion can stay with some people forever, while others need to have the suggestions reinforced.  The results of hypnosis are cumulative in nature, and the more the post-hypnotic suggestions and techniques are practiced the more lasting, and permanent the results will be.  To reinforce suggestions, the best way to do it is by performing self-hypnosis, or listening to audio reinforcement programs.  This will drive all the suggestions, and positive changes farther into the mind thus making a more deep and lasting impression. 

 Are Hypnotist’s Required To Continue Their Education?

Yes.  All certified hypnotists must complete a minimum of 30 CEU’s, or Continuing Education Units, each year in order to maintain their certifications and good standing status with the hypnosis organizations they belong to.  With this requirement, it ensures the public that certified hypnotists are responding to professional guidelines, and are well educated on the subject.  Plus, with the all the new and rapid developments each year in this field, the continuing education helps keep the hypnotist up to date with the new advancements, and it also promotes the continued growth and development of the hypnotist.    

 What Will Happen At My First Session?

When you arrive at the office, the very first objective is to make you feel completely comfortable, and at ease with the process of hypnosis.  The process of hypnosis will be demystified and explained in great detail.  All of your questions, concerns, or fears about hypnosis or getting hypnotized will be addressed.  Once all of your questions have been answered and you feel at ease with the process, we will move on to the intake interview.  During the intake interview, you will discuss the current problems that you have been experiencing in your life, and the changes that you would like to see happen.  After the intake interview, we will move on to the hypnosis portion of the session.  The first thing that will take place is the hypnotic induction.  The induction will guide you into profound relaxation and into a hypnotic state.  Once hypnotized, you will then be administered hypnotic suggestions that are tailored and specific to the reason you came into the office.  At the end of the session, you will be emerged from hypnosis by the hypnotist counting forward from 1-5.  A brief post-session interview will take place after the hypnosis session is over to get feedback on the experience.  After the post-session interview, the session is over and you are able to go about your day enjoying the success you achieved. 

 What’s The Difference Between A Group Session and a Private 1-on-1 Session?

The major difference between a group and a private session is a group session is much more generalized than a private session.  In a private session, a hypnotist can zero in on the clients specific needs, and desires where as in a group session, the suggestions are more generic so that it can apply to more people.  The other major difference is the investment for the session.  The investment for a group session is much less than a private session. 

 Have I Ever Experienced Hypnosis Before?

Yes!  Hypnosis is a state of mind that people are constantly slipping in and out of.  You have been hypnotized thousands of times in your life you just never called it hypnosis before.  For instance, each and every night right before you fall asleep, when you are not quite sleeping, but you are not awake either, you are in a state of light hypnosis.  Hypnosis is in our advertising, on the television, in the movies.  It occurs at home, at school, and at work.  For more examples of everyday hypnotic states click here to read the article. 

 What Is A Post-Hypnotic Suggestion?

A post-hypnotic suggestion is a type of hypnotic suggestion that is delivered to a person while they are hypnotized, and it takes effect after they are emerged from hypnosis.  An example of a post-hypnotic suggestion for a smoking client would be: “From this moment on, anytime you have that old desire for a cigarette, it registers in your mind now as wanting water.  The moment you drink water, all desire and craving for a cigarette is completely washed away.  Every time you drink water from now on, you will wash away all desire for cigarettes.”  An example of a post-hypnotic suggestion used in a hypnosis stage show would be: “Anytime you hear the word hypnosis, you stand up and sing like Madonna.”