Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is a highly effective process of using hypnosis in a therapeutic manner to interact directly with the subconscious mind in order to create positive change. Often, Hypnotherapy can be seen as the breaking-down of old patterns that are no longer helpful and the building new ones. There are many uses for Hypnotherapy – some people even use it during childbirth or preparing for surgery! There are also a variety of techniques and styles used in Hypnotherapy such Gestalt and parts-therapy, EDMR, CBT, regression, and more. Each session is different. There may be times when the client is having a discussion under hypnosis, and at other times enjoying a deeply relaxing journey in the mind.
What is hypnosis?
Hypnosis is simply a deeply relaxed state which bypasses the critical mind, allowing for more direct access into the sub-conscious. It is a natural state. In fact, each of us enters into this trance-like state at least twice a day: upon falling asleep and when we are waking up. You may fall into a trance when listening to your favorite music or when a ten minute nap seems to give you an hour-long dream.
The brain often enters into Alpha (light sleep, dreams, visualization) or Theta state (lucid dreaming, deep sleep) when in hypnosis, which allows the mind to enter into a special heightened state of focus in which it is has an enhanced capacity to respond to positive suggestion.
What if I can’t hypnotized?
As mentioned above, people enter a hypnotic state at least twice a day, often more. Driving, enjoying a favorite activity, reading a book, can put you in the “flow” state. These are all “altered states of consciousness” and all are various levels of trance, both natural and common.
That being said, some people are more susceptible to Hypnotherapy than others. They have these things in common: (1) they give consent, (2) they are motivated and have a strong desire to change, (3) they can build a rapport with the Hypnotherapist and feel safe and relaxed in their presence, (4) they can understand language and visualization in relation to emotions. Easily getting into a state of hypnosis can take practice. That’s why I often teach self-hypnosis skills to my clients.
Some people leave a session saying, “I wasn’t hypnotized - I didn’t feel anything and I knew what was happening the whole time!” Great! Hypnosis is not a state in which you don’t remember anything; it’s a state of very heightened awareness and focus. Hollywood has perpetrated many myths about hypnosis, and hypnotic amnesia is one of those myths. There may be special circumstances in which not recalling certain details is an intentional part of the session, previously addressed between the Hypnotherapist and client, but usually, remembering the details is encouraged.
What can’t treated in Hypnotherapy?
A Hypnotherapist who is not a medical or psychiatric professional cannot treat or diagnose psychiatric or mental health conditions or physical conditions. Medical problems with the physical body must be treated by a physician, who may prescribe Hypnotherapy for pain control, hypnoanesthesia or relaxation. For issues concerning drug addiction, family dynamics disorders, clinical depression and serious mental conditions, I refer my clients to psychiatrists and doctors or provide a form a form for clients to give a medical professional, who can, at their discretion, prescribe hypnotherapy as a supplementary treatment.
Will I bark like a dog or cluck like a chicken? Will I lose control?
You may have certain ideas about what hypnosis looks like from what you’ve seen in movies and TV. Maybe you’ve seen a stage performance in which a hypnotist made audience members do crazy things. There is so much that is exaggerated or simply not true when it comes to these scenarios. A stage hypnotist carefully selects subjects (watch just how many volunteers are asked to sit down), then chooses people he or she knows WILL bark like a dog. Those volunteers respond because somewhere inside them is a part that loves to entertain and because, deep down inside, they don't believe there is anything wrong with barking like a dog.
Hypnosis can’t make you do something that is against your morals or ethics. When it comes down to it, all hypnosis is self-hypnosis. No Hypnotist can make you do something that you really don't want to do. You have to want the change, agree with the change, and be willing to let hypnosis act as a tool for helping that change become better, faster, and permanent. You are always in control and you are always aware of what’s going on. You have the ability use your voice to speak in or out of trance, adjust your body to be more comfortable, or open your eyes and wake up anytime you choose.
Are there side effects?
If you mean increased confidence, better sleep and dream recall, reduced anxiety, feeling more calm and grounded, and a better quality of life, then yes! These are often “side effects” that clients report. At times, clients may feel a bit groggy after a Hypnotherapy session, but this is similar to the feeling one might get after taking a nap. I usually suggest clients take a brief walk, drink water, or spend a few minutes outside. Hypnotherapy is not dangerous and it is not possible to stay in a state of trance forever.
Want to know more? Please reach out to me for a free consultation so we can get to know each other and discuss your questions in more detail.