FAQ

1. What is hypnosis?

It is a pleasant, voluntary, state of relaxed attentive concentration, an altered state of consciousness, during which the conscious critical mind is relaxed and relatively inactive, and the doorway to the subconscious, inner mind is opened with a person’s permission. In this comfortable state, suggestibility is heightened, mental absorption is increased, the senses are heightened, and the imagination is activated in a controlled manner. The inner mind is more receptive to acceptable.

2. Can a person be hypnotized against his will?

No. You cannot be hypnotized against your will. You must be a willing subject. The hypnotherapist must have your full cooperation.

3. Does a weak-minded person make a better subject than a strong-minded person?

No. Strength of mind really has little to do with it. Either a weak-minded or strong minded person who resists will make a poor hypnotic subject. On the other hand, a weak or strong-minded person who cooperates will be a good subject. However, because Hypnosis helps a person gain greater control over both mind and body, it can help a person develop a strong mind.

4. What about the idea that Hypnosis can weaken the mind?

Hypnosis does NOT weaken the mind. On the contrary, it helps people use more of their mind’s potential. It helps people access their inner strength. The subconscious mind is protective. Hypnotized people will accept suggestions that are acceptable, and reject suggestions that are not acceptable. Suggestions must be in a straight and simple form and language that the patient’s subconscious can understand.

5. Will I be asleep?

No. When a person is in Hypnosis, he is not asleep. He or she is very much aware of all that is going on. In actuality, in Hypnosis, one’s senses become heightened and more acute. Of course, if a person is tired, it is possible to fall asleep during hypnosis. However, then, the subject is asleep and no longer in hypnosis. In actuality, when this occurs, the state of sleep is a light but relaxing state of sleep. A simple suggestion to wake up given by the hypnotherapist is all that is required to rouse up the subject.

6. Is it possible that a subject could not be brought out of Hypnosis?

No it is not possible. You cannot get stuck in Hypnosis because you do not lose control when you are hypnotized. Hypnosis is a cooperative relationship. When you are hypnotized, you retain full control over your mind and your body. Sometimes, people feel so relaxed and comfortable in Hypnosis that they may wish to remain in that state for a little longer. However, a simple suggestion for awakening is all that is needed to bring a subject back into the Waking State even if the subject has fallen asleep. Additionally, when the hypnotist stops talking, the subject will soon awaken on his own. Most importantly, you can come out of hypnosis any time you want.

7. Will I tell any secrets under hypnosis?

No. Hypnosis CANNOT be used to find the truth, or make a person tell the truth. You retain full control over what you say. Subjects in Hypnosis reveal no secrets in the Hypnotic State that they would not reveal (because they want to) in the Waking State.

8. Can a person be made a “slave” to a hypnotist?

No. Hypnosis is not a master-slave relationship or a power relationship. It is not about “From now you are under my power or control!” Hypnosis is a cooperative and collaborative relationship. The subject retains full control and responsibility for his or her actions at all times.

9. What about the idea that Hypnotized People Behave like Zombies?

Hypnosis is NOT about the power or control. Hypnosis is a collaborative and cooperative teacher-student relationship. Hypnosis is NOT sleep. When a person is in hypnosis, he is in deep relaxed stage, comfortable and focused and aware of his surroundings. He hears the sound of the therapist’s voice and will remember more or less of what the therapist says.

10. Can a person become addicted to Hypnosis, or is it habit forming?

No. A person can resist going into Hypnosis or being hypnotized anytime he or she desires, regardless of how many times he has been hypnotized.

11. What is the best age for being hypnotized?

People can be hypnotized at any age. However, on the average, the years between 12 and 20 are a developmental stage when pre-adolescents, adolescents, and young adults are most fantasy prone and capable of employing that trait to benefit from hypnosis. Nevertheless, children can be helped to solve their problems with the tool of hypnosis as can middle aged and older people.

12. Who can be hypnotized?

Anyone who can pay attention and follow instructions can be hypnotized if they want to be. People will vary however, as to the extent or depth to which they can be hypnotized.

13. What about the idea that some people are just not hypnotizable?

Anyone can be hypnotized if he is willing. Nobody can be hypnotized against his will. If a person is not willing to cooperate, he cannot be hypnotized. However, the idea that some people are just not hypnotizable is INCORRECT. Some patients may initially have problems with feeling that they may lose control in some unacceptable way. This may lead them to intellectually second guess and over analyze what is going on. Thinking too much will interfere with relaxing enough to enter trance. Hypnosis is NOT about the hypnotist controlling the patient. It is about the patient gaining more control over himself.

14. What are the requirements of a good Subject?

They are mainly the desire to be hypnotized and to experience Hypnosis, the ability to concentrate, the willingness to cooperate and follow instructions, and the relative absence of mistrust and fear.

15. Is deep Hypnosis necessary?

For most purposes, deep Hypnosis is not necessary. For most purposes, in a therapeutic setting, a light degree of Hypnosis is all that is necessary for experiencing the therapeutic benefits of Hypnosis. In other words, we typically do not need or aim for Deep Trance. The therapeutic subject (the patient or client) is awake and aware of everything that is going on, but very relaxed.

16. What is Self Hypnosis?

This is Hypnosis induced by a person by himself without the help of a hypnotist.

17. How can one learn Self Hypnosis?

You can learn Self Hypnosis from a qualified Hypnosis professional. However your best bet is to have the experience first of being hypnotized by a qualified Hypnosis professional, and then learn from that hypnotherapist how to enter the hypnotic state on your own. At that point, tapes (CDs) and books can be very useful aids, guides, and sources of information and inspiration.

18. What are the benefits of Self Hypnosis?

The premier benefit of learning and practicing Self Hypnosis is to initiate and continue the process of positive self-change. The regular use of Self Hypnosis facilitates the continuation of healthy changes in behaviors, feelings, beliefs and attitudes. When you practice Self Hypnosis you enter a state of self relaxation. When you are relaxed, you cannot be uncomfortable or anxious or stressed or in pain. Relaxation is the physical and emotional opposite of these negative feelings. Practicing Self Hypnosis conditions your ability to relax at will. It builds your ability to control your mind and your body. More control is the goal, and with more control, you gain greater ability to control your symptoms. Additionally, when you are in a state of Self Hypnosis you are able to give yourself positive suggestions and use positive imagery for positive self-change.

19. Can anyone learn Self Hypnosis?

Any normally intelligent person who can concentrate and follow instructions, and who is motivated and willing can learn Self Hypnosis.

20. What is a hypnotic induction?

It is a method of inducing the hypnotic state. There are numerous ways of inducing hypnosis. Most clinicians who practice hypnosis have their favourites. However, it is important for a clinician to choose an hypnosis induction method that fits the needs of the client or patient. The hypnosis professional gives you carefully worded instructions to follow with the goal of helping you enter a state of deep relaxation and focused attention. This is called the hypnosis induction. For this hypnosis induction to be effective, you must cooperate as an active participant in the process.

21. How does Hypnosis make a person more suggestible?

This occurs first and foremost with the subject’s permission and cooperation. By following the hypnotherapist’s instructions, you become more suggestible. When you are in this altered state of increased suggestibility, your mental clutter is cleared away so that you can pay attention to the hypnotherapist’s suggestions and be open to experiencing new perspectives and solutions to your problem. In this hypnotic trance state, you remain aware of everything that is going on, but at the same time, you become increasingly absorbed in using your imagination as directed by the hypnotherapist

22. How does Hypnosis work?

Once the Hypnotic State is induced and the doorway to the Subconscious Mind is opened, with your permission, the competent Hypnotist can provide information, in a language and form that the Subconscious can accept, to help you change the behaviours, feelings and thoughts that you want to change. We utilize the fact that the Subconscious Mind has the tendency to accept what it imagines as real. This can greatly reduce the felt stress of changing unhealthy habits to healthier habits.

23. What role does the Subconscious Mind play?

The Subconscious part of the mind, or the Inner Mind, controls all of our living functions that keep us alive, as well as all of our automatic behaviour patterns. But, the Subconscious is not as easily communicated with as is the Conscious Mind. Information is imprinted in the Subconscious essentially in three ways: through trauma, through repetition, and through the language of Hypnosis. Thus, Hypnosis is the quickest and most efficient way to impress the Subconscious and imprint changes in behaviours, attitudes, beliefs and feelings. The upshot is that making changes in long-standing, core habits (e.g., eating patterns, smoking, emotional reactivity, coping responses) often creates internal discomfort and stress. Old habits cling and typically resist efforts to change them. This can be because of Conscious conflict about changing, but it can also be the result of conflict between the Conscious and the Subconscious parts of the mind. That is, you consciously may want to change and may have decided to change, but the Subconscious does not know this. If it did, it would help you, but it often has no way of knowing that you consciously want to change. So, it continues to control the old behavioural habits and this creates and perpetuates inner conflict. Once the Subconscious is informed that you want to change, and once it knows that it is in your best interest to be helped to change, it has no choice but to help you change. Then, the two parts to the mind, Conscious and Subconscious, can work together in cooperation with little tension, upset, or stress. Remember, what you can conceive you can achieve, and the Subconscious has a tendency to accept what it imagines as real.

29. What are some of the benefits of Hypnosis?

There are many benefits and uses for Hypnosis. To mention but a few of the more common uses:

• induce relaxation
• relieve tensions
• relieve pain
• in childbirth
• diminish and control anxiety
• eliminate phobias
• treat depression
• improve self-confidence
• control mood swings
• modify or change hurtful baits
• stop smoking
• lose weight through changing eating and other habits
• improve concentration and memory
• improve study habits
• develop natural abilities
• relieve insomnia
• aid police work
• stop fingernail biting
• stop bedwetting
• in dentistry
• in optometry
• preparation for surgery or other medical procedure

30. What can Hypnosis “cure”?

Hypnosis by itself is not a “cure”. It is a tool to be used in therapy or treatment by a professional who is qualified to render that treatment. Medical treatments must be supervised by a medical physician. Similarly, psychological treatments for emotional or psychological problems must be supervised by a qualified psychology or mental health practitioner.

31. If you decide that you want to see a clinical hypnosis practitioner, how should you go about finding someone who is qualified?

Do Your Homework! When choosing a qualified clinical hypnosis practitioner, it’s best to make sure you’ll be working with someone who is certified, properly trained and with whom you’re comfortable.