All You Need to Know About Hypnosis & Hypnotherapy
It is important for clients to be aware of the Facts and Fallacies of Hypnosis. Clients quite often have preconceived ideas of hypnosis that may or may not be factual. Here is some information for the person that wants to familiarize themselves with hypnosis before they pick up the phone to call for an appointment or call to get their questions answered. At the beginning of each new client's session, I make sure to educate and answer any questions in order to ensure the client is as comfortable as they can possibly be and trust the process.
Definition of Hypnosis: Hypnosis is a level of relaxation between waking and sleeping in which the critical faculty of the mind (the part of the mind that tells us we can't achieve), is bypassed and allows for effective communication between our conscious and subconscious minds.
All Hypnosis is Self-Hypnosis in a Clinical Setting: The hypnotist is only a guide, the subject chooses to follow the instructions of the hypnotist to facilitate a benefit for the subject.
Hypnosis is a Naturally Occurring State: Everyone passes through hypnosis in going from waking to sleeping and from sleeping to waking. This means the client is already a master of Self-Hypnosis. We were just not taught how to use the level of relaxation as a positive force in creating our desired goals.
Control: The subject is in total and complete control at all times. By using hypnosis
to both plants the seeds (suggestion) and pull the weeds (subconscious blocks), they will be able to gain even more control over their creative powers.
Hypnosis and Suggestion will not cause the client to do anything against their morals or good judgment.
Stage Hypnosis sometimes makes it appear that the subject is in their control. This occurs when the subject subconsciously desires to be an entertainer and by bypassing the critical faculty of the mind, they are not held back by their fear-based boundaries.
Hypnosis Is Not Sleep. It is a shift in awareness that permits a more intensive concentration upon a designated goal. Hypnosis is an altered state of attention that approaches peak concentration capacity.
A Subject Will Never Get Trapped or Stuck in Hypnosis. The worst thing that could happen is they may go so deep into hypnosis that they would fall asleep. No one is ever stuck in a sleep state.
Fallacy: One might reveal intimate secrets about oneself or their private affairs.
Fact: The client is in complete control and chooses what they share with their hypnotherapist. Hypnosis is not a "Truth Serum".
Fallacy: A person can be told anything while in hypnosis, and they will believe it.
Fact: There is no connection between Hypnosis and Gullibility.
Hypnosis Occurs Regularly to Everyone on a Daily Basis. The Following are Examples of Normal Everyday Events that may induce a certain Level of Hypnosis.
- Slow, Regular Breathing
- Regular or Rhythmic Sound, such as a fan or air conditioner
- Light Patterns: strobe light effects, or light shining through evenly spaced trees
- Regular, Tactile motions such as back or foot massage
- Rhythmic Movements, such as rocking, a boat moored or walking
- Focusing on breath or heartbeat
- Intense Concentration
- Boredom
- Routine, Repetitive tasks like assembly line work, or highway driving
- Eye Fixation: Staring into a fire or at ocean waves, computer screen, or a video poker machine
- Relaxation of the body and mind using compounded suggestion
- Stimulation Overload (burnout)
- Going into or out of sleep
- Mental Confusion or something Startling
- Energy Work (Reiki, etc...)
Anyone can be hypnotized. Fear of losing control is what would hold one back. Fear of losing control is a remembered response from an earlier experience that may be packaged in many different ways. Most subjects will proceed naturally, but in those who have a hard time relaxing, an Experienced and Knowledgeable hypnotherapist can easily guide a subject beyond the subconscious block.
The three requisites for Clinical Hypnosis:
- Permission from the subject
- Good rapport
- Freedom from fear
By spending time with a client on that first visit and listening and explaining so a client feels comfortable and at ease makes all the difference in the world in allowing a client to take advantage of the wonderful tool of hypnotherapy and move quickly and efficiently toward their desired goals.