What is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a very normal and natural state of conciousness which we all experience to some degree on a daily basis. If you've ever become absorbed in a movie or TV program, experienced "highway hypnosis" or been intensely focused in an intimate conversation, then you've experienced the same state of conciousness to a lesser degree.

People who have been hypnotized for the first time, are often surprised how natural this state feels. It can be very different from what they were expecting. It is a sensation more like daydreaming than the eerie or zombie like state they were imagining it to be.

Can anyone be Hypnotized?

The short answer is yes. However, there are many variables that effect how deeply someone may go into a hypnotic trance, such as rapport with the therapist, fear of hypnosis, mental resistance, the attitude of the client and environmental distractions. Also, people vary in how well they naturally respond to suggestion. A good hypnotherapist should be able to work with most people, provided he can build proper rapport and use an acceptible approach.

When I'm Hypnotized, can I be made to do things I wouldn't ordinarily do?

Definitely not. Unfortunately, when people think about hypnosis, they remember what they've seen demonstrated on stage or shown in movies. In the case of stage hypnosis, the participants that perform activities they normally wouldn't are on some level giving themselves permission to "act out" with hypnosis as the excuse. Hypnotists are skilled at picking the subjects that are most willing to follow their suggestions. Clinical Hypnosis is solely for the purpose of helping someone bring about positive personal change by refocusing their internal thought processes, attitudes and life experiences in ways that benefit them. This is what separates clinical hypnosis from performance hypnosis, which has no benefit to the participant, beyond entertainment while giving theraputic hypnosis a bad wrap.

Is Hypnosis Dangerous?

There has never been a documented case in over 200 years of harm coming to anyone through the theraputic use of hypnosis.

How Deep will I Go?

At one time, depth of the hypnotic state was considered to be a significant factor in the effectiveness of a hypnotherapy session. In the last few years, hypnosis professionals have come to realize that depth is less important than previously thought and holds little bearing on the outcome.

Clients tend to go as deep as is appropriate and comfortable for them. Once you know what it is like to be hypnotized for the first time, any apprehension or fear is almost always dissipated and future sessions are typically looked upon with anticipation and eagerness. It is also a fact that once a hypnotic state is achieved, future attempts to achieve the same state usually come easier and with more depth.