Hypnosis & Hypnotherapy
Frequently Asked Questions
There are many myths, misconceptions and questions about the use and nature of hypnosis and hypnotherapy. The fears and mystery that surround hypnosis and hypnotherapy usually arise due lack of information or because of being inaccurately portrayed through the media or via hypnosis stage shows.
This page will help to reassure you that hypnosis and hypnotherapy are indeed very normal, certainly not magical or mystical in anyway, and with generally predictable results.
Whilst not a panacea for all ills, hypnotherapy can be an effective treatment method for a great many problems where psychological factors are involved.
There are over 500 applications for the use of hypnosis for therapeutic benefit!
1. What is hypnosis?
2. What is hypnotherapy?
3. How do I know if I can be hypnotised?
4. How do I know if I have been hypnotised?
5. What does hypnosis feel like?
6. How safe is hypnotherapy?
7. Can I be made to do things against my will?
8. How does stage hypnosis work?
9. What happens in a typical session?
10. How long will it take before I notice a change?
11. What if I don't wake up?
12. Can hypnosis make me eat right or stop smoking?
13. Why not just use a patch, gum, or Zyban to quit
smoking?
14. Do I need to see a Hypnotherapist or can I use a CD?
15. What about 'False Memory Syndrome'?
16. But what if I find it difficult to relax?
17. Do you see children?
18. But what if I find it difficult to relax?
19. What about confidentiality?
20. Will I know what has happening?
21. Will I remember what happened during hypnosis?
22. Will I be forced to accept suggestions?
23. So how can being in hypnosis help resolve my
problem?
24. How often will I need to see the hypnotherapist?
25. How can I find out more before committing myself?
26. Are the results of hypnotherapy permanent?
27. When will hypnotherapy beneficial?
28. Do I need to be referred by my doctor?
29. Does my G.P have to know that I am seeing you?
What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a means of communicating with the unconscious mind. It can be seen as an altered state of consciousness that facilitates inner absorption, concentration and focused attention. When our minds are concentrated and focused, we are able to use our minds more powerfully. Hypnosis allows people to use more of their potential,
Scientists Tell Us We Use Less Than 10% Of Our Potential.
The 90% of our untapped potential is stored in the subconscious mind, so all we need to do is learn how to access it. Hypnosis is the key that unlocks the door to that 90% of our vast potential.
What is Hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis usually combined with deep relaxation and other therapeutic techniques (such as post-hypnotic suggestion) to help people with all kinds of habits, emotional or psychological problems.
The difference between hypnosis and hypnotherapy is that Hypnosis is the state that a person experiences. Hypnotherapy is using that state for beneficial and therapeutic purposes.
How do I know if I can be hypnotised?
There are only three types of people that cannot be hypnotised:
A person in a psychotic process or with a thought disorder
A person with a low IQ
A person who is scared or really does not want to be hypnotised
If you can focus your attention, use your imagination, and desire to be hypnotised, you can enter at least a light state of hypnosis anytime you wish.
Hypnotisabilityby implication is actually a sign of intelligence.
How do I know if I have been hypnotised?
As you become absorbed in the comfort, relaxation, imagery and other sensory responses, you will experience a distortion in your perception of time. 30 minutes will seem like 5 minutes. Feelings are more accessible while in trance, as well as memories from long ago. You will awaken out of hypnosis with very pleasant and euphoric feelings of well-being. Hypnosis is a normal, natural state of mind so expect no radical, unnatural change in awareness.
What does hypnosis feel like?
There is no specific identified hypnotised “feeling”. There are however, common everyday experiences that can be identified as examples of hypnosis and common sensations and responses experienced.
Hypnosis is quite an ordinary experience. In fact you will have already experienced what hypnosis is like, through everyday activities like daydreaming, reading a book or are totally absorbed in a task at the exclusion of your surroundings. We experience hypnosis everyday throughout our day whether we are aware of it or not.
Generally, sensations experienced when in a state of hypnosis are; you can feel hypnotic relaxation in your body in some way; either your limbs will feel heavy, like lead or light and tingly, in some cases they may be numb.
Sometimes a good indicator of deep hypnotic relaxation is experiencing slight twitches in your body as your nervous system "reboots" and you shift to abdominal (parasympathetic) breathing. Recognizing these sensations offers great biofeedback information as a confirmation of hypnosis taking place!
How safe is hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is completely safe; it is natural and works with the way that the mind naturally operates. It's generally no more distressing than daydreaming. If you read the medical literature, you'll see hypnosis is no more dangerous than taking aspirin.
Hypnosis has been given approval as a safe practice with no harmful side effects by several major medical establishments in America and the United Kingdom. To date, no one has been seriously hurt with hypnosis.
Can I be made to do things against my will?
Absolutely not. We greatly underestimate the ability of the subconscious to protect itself. You could never be made to do anything against your will or contrary to your value system. You would not unknowingly reveal your deepest secrets either; it is even possible to lie in hypnosis, which is why testimony while in hypnosis is not permissible evidence in a court of law.
A person will only act upon suggestions that serve them in some way or reinforce an expected behaviour, anything else their subconscious will just ignore.
You remain in control at all times. The hypnotherapist does not have control over you and if you decide to get up and walk out, then you will. Hypnosis is not something imposed on people, but something they do for themselves. A hypnotist simply serves as a facilitator to guide them. A hypnotherapist works in concert with the client, teaching him or her how to access the hypnotic trance.
People often fear that being hypnotised will make them lose control, surrender their will, and result in their being dominated, but a hypnotic state is not the same thing as gullibility or weakness.
Hypnosis is in fact a tool to gain more self-control.
How does stage hypnosis work?
Many people base their assumptions about hypnotism on stage acts but fail to take into account that stage hypnotists screen their volunteers to select those who are cooperative, with possible exhibitionist tendencies, as well as responsiveness to hypnosis. Stage acts help create a myth about hypnosis which discourages people from seeking legitimate hypnotherapy.
So how does stage hypnosis work then?
Stage hypnosis uses showmanship, social psychology, crowd psychology and persuasion and compliance. At no time is anybody made to do anything, they are simply persuaded or cajoled. A large part of stage hypnosis isn't about hypnosis - it's about the hypnotist picking totally compliant hypnotic subjects from the audience. Hypnotherapy is not the same. It is all done in fun, but the Stage Hypnotist most certainly does not have "control" over the participants.
What happens in a typical session?
Each session is different, and will be geared to your individual needs, however there is a general pattern that is followed.
The first part of the session involves setting goals for the therapy, and agreeing how to achieve it.
To reinforce the changes that you make during the session we may agree things to do after the session.
How long will it take before I notice a change?
From the first session, you can expect to become more relaxed than you are now. The ability to intentionally relax is an important first step towards improving your health and achieving your desired goal.
The hypnotic induction process will help lift your goal out of the "just a concept" realm and focus you on making your goal much more emotionally compelling.
You may notice suggestions for the desired behavioural changes spontaneously popping into your conscious mind almost immediately. Your subconscious mind will attempt to prompt you out of your old patterns with these cues as your conscience "wakes up" to the habit.
This is the first step in reprogramming yourself. The next step is to apply yourself and act on those cues.
What if I don't wake up?
You can emerge from hypnosis any time you want (you really don't 'wake-up' since you're not asleep when you're hypnotised). If you do fall asleep during an induction, it likely indicates you are in need of more rest.
It isn’t possible to become "lost" in hypnosis and not be able to be 'awakened'.
No one has ever remained in hypnosis unable to be aroused. Since all hypnosis really is self-hypnosis, one emerges from the trance state whenever necessary.
Can hypnosis make me eat right or stop smoking?
When this is asked, desire to change needs questioning. Hypnosis cannot make you want do something that you really don't want to do or all ready have the ability to achieve.
As an example, a person could not be hypnotised out of the blue to be a Triathlete, unless they already were a swimmer, cyclist and runner. Hypnosis is a tool, like a screwdriver. You don't expect the screwdriver to drive the screw in for you by itself. But it is a whole lot easier using a screwdriver than just using your hand. There is no easy substitute for the application of concentration and effort. Hypnosis can offer the mental edge that could make the difference between winning and getting first or settling for second best in the case of our example above. It's all about focus and harnessing potential abilities within the person.
Why not just use the patch, gum, or Zyban to quit smoking?
What happens when you stop using the patch or the drug? You will tend to relapse because you haven't made any real changes at the location of the source, where your habit resides and is instigated; the subconscious!
There is such a dismal success rate with these products (20-30%).
Many people after failing with the patch have succeeded with using hypnosis. Hypnosis is self-empowering. Patches and gum have the nature of keeping your attached to the habit of smoking.
Do I need to see a Hypnotherapist or can I use a CD?
That depends on several factors, including the nature and complexity of your problem. Custom made CDs will give you only general results. I have found that individuals do better when they are treated as individuals, so I think you’ll agree that the personalized approach is better.
Second to seeing a good Hypnotherapist in your area, with a personalized plan and induction, custom made audio session CDs are the next best choice.
If you live in the Rotorua area, and would like to book your FREE 1/2 hour consultation please contact me today.
What about 'False Memory Syndrome'?
For the average person, this is not a concern at all. False Memory Syndrome can possibly occur only when a poorly trained therapist (usually a Psychotherapist) uses hypnosis with an emotionally unstable client to supposedly "uncover" repressed memories. The unskilled therapist asks leading questions in an effort to "uncover" theorized child abuse or trauma.
In this situation, the average person would quickly begin to suspect something was inappropriate and simply either terminate the hypnosis session by opening their eyes or not return to therapy afterward.
But what if I find it difficult to relax?
Be relaxed in knowing that relaxation is something you can learn to do better. You will have a specific way in which you achieve relaxation. How much or how little you relax is entirely up to you - you are in control at all times. It is all about re-learning and acquainting yourself with the strategy you unconsciously use so that you can use it deliberately when needed!
Do you see children?
Yes. Children often respond incredibly well to hypnotherapy. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied with a parent or guardian who is actively encourage to participate in the session.
How many visits will I need?
Most patients require a course of treatment. This all depends on the problem or change that you want to make. For stopping smoking it is usually one session lasting about 90 minutes. For anything else it can range from 1 to 10 sessions. The hypnotherapist can see two different people who have the same problem. One person might need two sessions and the other might need four sessions. The reason for this is that we are all unique and react differently.
What about Confidentiality?
I personally value confidentiality very highly. The information that you give me will remain confidential, unless I am required to disclose it by law, or in the unlikely event that not disclosing it could endanger you or someone else.
Will I know what is happening?
Yes, in fact if anything you can be more aware of what is happening. Although your eyes are closed your other senses can increase their awareness and sensitivity.
Will I remember what happened during hypnosis?
Yes and No. You will remember some things but not all. This is the way our memory works normally. For example when you listen to a speech or talk you may have started off listening to the person speaking but you never remember everything that has been said. Some scientists say we only retain about 30% of what we hear unless we take written notes to aid our memory.
A myth about hypnosis is that people lose consciousness and have amnesia. A small percentage of subjects, who go into very deep levels of trance will fit this stereotype and have spontaneous amnesia.
Will I be forced to accept suggestions?
No. Your mind is very protective of you. You will not accept any suggestions that go against your morals or beliefs. It is actually counter productive to offer suggestions that aren’t in alignment with your goals and treatment outcomes.
So how can being in hypnosis help resolve my problem?
When we are in hypnosis we are more relaxed, physically and mentally. When this occurs our mind operates more efficiently and effectively. An example of this is when you try and remember someone’s name. It’s on the tip of your tongue but you just cant get to it. After you stop trying and may be five minutes later the name comes back to you. The difference here is that you were putting your mind under tension trying to force it to remember. However when you stopped and thought of something else, you allowed your mind to relax and the name came to you. When the mind and body are relaxed we have better access to our memories. We are a product of our memories and past experiences. Sometimes we need to return to a memory in order to resolve what happened for our peace of mind before we can move on in the future.
How often will I need to see the hypnotherapist?
This depends on the type of problem and on the progress made. I will normally see you once a week. However some clients see the hypnotherapist once a fortnight or even once a month depending on their circumstances.
How can I find out more before committing myself?
Euphoria offers a 30 minute initial consultation. This is when more details are taken of your circumstances and you can ask any further questions. You are under no obligation to proceed with hypnotherapy. In order to help you come to a more informed decision the consultation is free.
Are the results of hypnotherapy permanent?
Suggestions stay with some individuals indefinitely, others need reinforcement. The effects of hypnosis are cumulative: the more the techniques are practiced and the more post hypnotic suggestions are brought into play, the more permanent the results become. Self-hypnosis training and reinforcement tapes for home use also provide additional help.
When will hypnotherapy be beneficial?
We believe that hypnosis will be optimally effective when the patient is highly motivated to overcome a problem and when the hypnotherapist is well trained in both hypnosis and in general considerations relating to the treatment of the particular problem.
It is important to keep in mind that hypnosis is like any other therapeutic modality: it is of major benefit to some patients with some problems, and it is helpful with many other patients, but it doesn’t always achieve the desired outcome of success expected, just like any other clinical method.
For this reason, we emphasize that we are health care professionals who use hypnosis along with other tools of our professions. Do I need to be referred by my doctor?
A referral may be requested with specific case scenarios. The decision for a need of referral will be clarified at the end of the free 30 minutes consultation.
Does my G.P have to know that I am seeing you?
All patients are required to sign a consent form indicating whether they do or do not wish for me to write to their General Practitioner.
Other queries...
Please feel free to call or email me with any queries:
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