Hypnosis Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the most common questions we receive from our clients.  And, as our clients are people just like you, some of these questions may be yours aswell.

What Is Hypnosis? Does Suggestibility Mean Gullibility? Can I Become Stuck In Hypnosis? Will I Be Asleep Or Unconscious? Will I Remember Everything That Happened? Can I Be Hypnotised? Does The Hypnotherapist Control Me? Can I Be Made To "Confess" Secrets? Can You Hypnotise Someone Against Their Will? How Long Does It Take? Is Hypnosis Accepted? Should Hypnosis Be An Alternative To A Doctor's Visit? How Does Hypnosis Work? What If My Mind On Occassion Wanders During Hypnosis? My Friend Saw A Hypnotherapist And It Didnt Work, What Gives? Will You Turn Me Into A Chicken? I've Heard Stories Of People Using Hypnotherapy In A Negative Way, How Is This Possible?

What Is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a method of attaining a relaxed state of enhanced focus and immersion, it is concentrated attention and receptivity to an idea, thought or set of ideas.

Hypnosis produces the ability to experience views and images as real, bypassing the critical factor to establish selective thinking. When the conscious mind is bypassed, the subconscious mind is open to suggestion.

Does Suggestibility Mean Gullibility?

No, suggestibility is not the same as gullibility. While gullibility entails that a person is easily deceived or cheated, suggestibility is the intensity level which the brain and nervous system accepts and consents to new ideas. During hypnosis both the mind and body are much more responsive.

Can I Become Stuck In Hypnosis?

No. Hypnosis is a natural state of consciousness that you go through every day whenever falling asleep and wakening. If a hypnotherapy session is disrupted the subject will merely fall asleep or instantly waken.

Will I Be Asleep Or Unconscious?

No, you will be mindful of all the sounds around you at all times. Hypnosis feels like daydreaming. If the hypnotherapist spoke to you, you would hear it.

Will I Remember Everything That Happened?

Absolutely!

Can I Be Hypnotised?

Yes, hypnosis is not something that someone does to you, it is done with you! If you trust your hypnotherapist to guide you, you will relax and enjoy the experience. If you have ever driven somewhere and not observed how you got there, you have experienced hypnosis. The best people for hypnosis are smart, have an active imagination, and are creative and good thinkers. It used to be thought that only 20% of people were hypnotisable. This has since been proven incorrect, as providing the hypnotherapist takes the time to discuss any fears and misconceptions and there are no existing brain damage, everyone can enter hypnosis.

Does The Hypnotherapist Control Me?

NO!, you are in control the total time. You will not lose control or do anything against your beliefs, morals or ethics. What is more, you can decide to emerge at any time, no one can keep you in hypnosis against your will and participation.

Despite foolish internet posts, Hypnosis is not mind control. Many of mankind's earliest history is peppered with suggestions to the existence of this state called hypnosis. One author discovered "cave paintings" that depict humans in trances five thousand years ago. In Greece, the cult Aesculapius cured insomnia through using some sort of hypnotic trance state. Hypnosis is a method of achieving a relaxed state of heightened focus and concentration. It is a totally natural state of mind. The hypnotherapist is merely the guide, you are in charge of the session. You will hold suggestions you agree with, discarding any that go against your moral or ethical beliefs.

Can I Be Made To "Confess" Secrets?

No. Hypnosis is not a truth serum. You are fully aware of what you are saying at all times and you can censor what you say.

Can You Hypnotise Someone Against Their Will?

Absolutely Not!  Hypnosis is a consensual state that you do to yourself.  Even our most experienced hypnotherapists have only ever technically hypnotised themselves.  Sure they have led thousands of people into hypnosis where they then proceed with therapy, however the distinction is made on who is it that enters Hypnosis.

How Long Does It Take?

One session may not usually be sufficient to eliminate a habit that took years to develop, although sometimes it happens. Each individual is different and unique, but several sessions are recommended for most individuals. The initial session can last up to two hours and involves discussion of the client's goals and objectives, resolutions or any misconceptions and concerns about hypnosis and the hypnotherapy session itself. Follow up sessions on any particular goal or objective may take up to an hour.

Is Hypnosis Accepted?

Hypnosis has been accepted by the American Medical Association since 1958 as a low risk therapeutic procedure.

With regard to Hypnosis being accepted by religious groups, we have worked with people of every denomination.  Regardless of your religion, there are many hypnotherapists (some even ministers) across the world that work within their churches to assist people change. 

Should Hypnosis Be An Alternative for a Doctor Visit?

No! While hypnosis is safe and frequently recommended by Doctors to help resolve many types of issues, it is not a panacea. It is never meant to be substituted for proper, professional health care. Often a client will turn to hypnosis for pain management, as it is highly effective. Pain is frequently a symptom that something physical is wrong; thus a thorough medical examination is necessary to determine the cause of the pain. With the doctor's permission hypnotherapy can then be used to relieve the pain, not using hypnosis to mask it.

Consider Hypnotherapy as a specialist field. If you suffer from existing physical or mental issues and especially if you are undergoing medical prescriptions, you will usually require a medical referral from your GP.

How Does Hypnosis Work?

Hypnosis takes advantage of the differences between the conscious and subconscious components of the mind. Hypnosis works directly with the subconscious mind to effect change through suggestion.

What If My Mind On Occasion Wanders During Hypnosis?

While your mind may wander and drift occasionally during hypnosis, it's just your conscious mind that is doing the wandering. This allows your subconscious mind to understand and accept the suggestions for changes that you desire.

My Friend Saw A Hypnotherapist And It Didnt Work, What Gives?

As you may have read above, change comes from the person seeking it.  If the person failed to achieve the success they were seeking, it can be typically for two reasons.

The first reason is the person wanting the change.  We often have people who contact us to Quit Smoking.  During the interview phase, we discover quickly that they dont want to Quit, their spouse does.

In this circumstance, you cannot wonder why the person's subconscious did not accept the suggestions to stop smoking.  A Hypnotherapist cannot make someone do something they do not wish to do.  Sometimes a person has secondary gains for a particular behaviour.  For example, someone may receive extra family attention when they have a panic attack.  By working on the issues causing the panic attacks and resolving the cause, the person's subconscious may believe this will mean they dont receive the same level of attention from their family. 

The other reason why Hypnotherapy may be ineffective for a small amount of people is more easily understood when we examine the medical profession.  Have you ever been examined by a Doctor who you left feeling ecstatic at the great knowledge and understanding they showed you?  Likewise, have you ever heard of or attended a Doctor who was less than helpful?  The answer is in both experience and education.

Our Hypnotherapists maintain a vast amount of experience and continue to increase our education alongside our own research.

Luckily in this instance, by working with qualified and experienced hypnotherapists (such as our staff), you can be assured a greater success rate.

Will You Turn Me Into A Chicken?

Funny as it may seem, we are yet to encounter a client that requires "chicken" therapy and doubt it would serve any beneficial purpose to do so.

The reason a person in a Hypnosis Stage Show (which has nothing to do with therapy whatsoever) gets up on stage and dances around like a chicken is because the hypnotist asks for anyone who "wants to have a good time" to come up. 

Of course under that condition, you can have a person enjoy themselves and act like they do.  If the hypnotist were to put a loaded pistol into someone's hand and direct them to shoot someone, the suggestion would be rejected and the person would emerge from hypnosis, no doubt VERY angry at the hypnotist!

I've Heard Of Stories Of People Using Hypnotherapy In A Negative Way, How Is This Possible?

Unfortunately in every profession and industry there are those that operate with ethics and those that are less attentive to humanity.

From time to time, stories of people acting poorly to a hypnotee are heard on the news, and in almost every instance, the offender is not a hypnotherapist and certainly very limited in their understanding of hypnotherapy and hypnosis.

They attempt to give suggestions that the person clearly does not agree with, and as stated above, the person remembers everything, emerges from hypnosis and goes straight to their local police station.

Our recommendation is to always ensure anyone you choose to work with using hypnosis or hypnotherapy is sufficiently qualified.  Spend the time to qualify the therapist's hypnotherapy and hypnosis training as there are some mental health professions (such as some psychology degrees) that spend less then minimal time educating the correct applications of hypnotherapy.