Frequently Asked Questions About Hypnosis Hypnotherapy

Here are some of the most Frequently Asked Questions About Hypnosis and their answers:

How Does Hypnosis Work?

When you enter into the hypnotic trance, you amplify, concentrate and focus all of your energy and attention on the subconscious mind – the part of the mind that is imaginative, emotional, and intuitive. You take away your focus on your conscious mind – the part of the mind that is logical, rational, and concerned with the worries of the world. Under hypnosis, you have the ability to communicate with the subconscious mind – deepest parts of your mind. You are at ease – not in a state of dis-ease. You clear the emotional clutter – the mind is quiet. And you live in the present moment. You become very suggestible. The subconscious mind does not reason – it accepts everything as truth. You can then program your mind with helpful and beneficial suggestions. These suggestions and teachings go in very deep. Hypnosis does work from the inside-out. Change must come from within.

Can anyone be hypnotized?

Yes – all it takes is the desire and willingness. Anyone can be hypnotized, including children. It is the most natural state of being.

The higher your intelligence and the better your imagination – the better you will do. You will have the capacity to enter the trance more easily and efficiently. And coincidentally, intelligent people with a good imagination are the ones who tend to be attracted to hypnosis. It goes against much of the mainstream view that only mentally weak and stupid can be hypnotized. The truth is actually just the opposite.

Can children be hypnotized?

Yes – children can be hypnotized. They should be at least age 6 or so – they need the maturity to focus and listen. Children attain some of the greatest successes because they haven’t had the years of contamination and influences and conditioning that adults have had. Children are much more of a blank slate.

Hypnosis has shown to be very effective with children in cases of enuresis (bed-wetting), ADHD, stuttering, and improving self-esteem, self-confidence.

Is hypnosis dangerous?

No – Hypnosis is no more harmful than natural sleep and your mind will positively not be dominated by the hypnotist. If any suggestion is put forth that goes against your moral code or your wishes, you will definitely not accept it. Sigmund Freud stated that hypnosis cannot possibly have any harmful effects and is not a dangerous tool.

In this society we live in, with the polluted air and water and food, and all the computers and machines and TVs and phones – with all the noise and distractions and stress and anxiety – what possible harm can come from deep, profound relaxation?

Is it true that only mentally weak or stupid people can be hypnotized?

In fact, it’s just the opposite. People with a good imagination and intelligence tend to go into a deep trance more easily and efficiently. And coincidentally, those are the people who tend to be attracted to hypnosis.

What does it feel like to be hypnotized? How do I know if I am hypnotized?

Often a person being hypnotized for the first time is expecting unconsciousness or oblivion – or to be “zapped out”. But again, that is another misconception. When you are hypnotized, you will hear every word I say. In fact, your senses are heightened and more alert – you’ll be completely aware of all your surroundings and all sounds.

No two people are alike – and no two people react the same way. Some people feel a ‘heavy’ sensation, others feel a ‘light’ sensation. Some may feel a tingling or warming of the skin, maybe a tingling or electric feeling. It’s a deep relaxation. Your mind will become very relaxed and very peaceful – a dreamlike feeling.

I have never met anybody who hasn’t 100% completely enjoyed it. It is a feeling that you have to experience in order to appreciate.

You’re going to love it – what’s not to love?

Do I have to do anything? How much effort does it take on my part?

Just relax. Don’t ‘try’ to do anything. Effort tends to defeat its own purpose. Just let go and enjoy the wonderful relaxation. I tell my clients to lay back, relax and enjoy. Nothing to do but enjoy your special peace and comfort – so relaxing. Put aside any misconceptions and have an open mind.

Is there a difference between a hypnotist and a hypnotherapist? Or a difference between hypnosis and hypnotherapy?

No – it’s really two different ways of saying the same thing. Some practitioners prefer to use the term hypnotherapist to avoid confusion with the stage hypnotists.

What is self-hypnosis, or auto-hypnosis?

Basically, self-hypnosis is hypnotizing yourself, without help from someone else. You can learn how to put yourself into the trance and make beneficial suggestions. It is excellent way to help yourself. I do it every day. The trance is not as good as it would be if someone else put you into it – because a part of your mind still has to remain active to formulate the suggestions, deepen the trance, monitor the breathing, etc. But you will still realize the benefits.

When you have a qualified hypnotist put you into the trance, you can sit back and relax and shut off all of your active thinking and go into a deep trance. The quality of the trance is everything.

Is hypnosis accepted by doctors and the medical society?

Hypnosis was formally accepted as a therapeutic modality in 1958 by the American Medical Association (AMA) and by the British Medical Association (BMA) in 1956.

Will I be under control of the hypnotist and have to do what he says?

Most of the fears and misconceptions that people have about hypnosis is brought on by the movies, books, and TV shows that portray the hypnotist as the evil guy with a goatee who takes control of people and makes those people do the bidding of the hypnotist. Or from the stage shows where participants go up on stage and dance like Britney Spears or bark like dogs. Most of those people who go on stage are extroverts who are there for the show and want to perform on stage and be entertained. These movies and stage shows give people the wrong idea.

But that is not what true hypnotism is. Go to the What Is Hypnosis page for a more detailed explanation. You should know the real truth behind hypnosis – what it really is and the advantages and benefits you can all get from using it. And get rid of the myths and lies and the “hocus-pocus” element that have scared some people from using hypnosis.

Here are four truths about hypnosis:

You will do nothing to violate your moral code. You will not carry out any suggestions unless they are acceptable to you. You are always in complete control.
You will not reveal any secrets or personal information. You will not say or do anything that you wouldn’t say or do under normal waking conditions.
You will be completely aware of everything that is said.
And you will wake up. You are not “asleep” – you can awaken yourself at any time. You may feel so good about this wonderful, relaxed state that you may want to stay that way, even when the hypnotist is ready to end the session.

When was hypnosis first discovered or developed?

It’s been around since the dawn of time. Animals use it. It’s been given many different names through the years. And every culture has put their own spin on it. In this society, we are most familiar with the way the Europeans developed it – starting with Mesmer in the late 1700’s. But it’s been around so much longer than that. The Native Americans, the cultures of the Far East, Africa, India, Tibet, and the Australian Aborigines have all been using hypnosis for tens of thousands of years.