What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a very normal and natural altered state of consciousness (an altered state of awareness), one we all experience from time to time in which the mind remains clear, alert and focused on something. Have you ever become really absorbed while watching TV? Or driven to work on auto pilot? That’s the same kind of altered state as hypnosis. Some misconceptions about hypnosis are that it’s a frightening state, or that it feels very weird, but it’s actually very normal and very pleasant.

How Does it feel to be Hypnotised?
It feels great! Hypnosis is a natural state that feels similar to that feeling you get right before you fall asleep at night. When you awaken, you feel refreshed and revitalised. You just feel as if you are relaxing in a very comfortable space with your eyes closed. You can hear everything–my voice, the sounds outside the building, a car going down the street outside.Think about it – your unconscious mind uses the same set of ears that your conscious mind hears with! How effective would it be if, once you entered the trance state, you suddenly lost all ability to hear the hypnotherapists’s words? You’re mindful the entire time, aware of everything going on around you as well as what your unconscious is revealing to you. I liken it to watching TV in one room while a radio plays in another; you can shift your awareness back and forth between the two, concentrating on one but still aware of the other.

Is Hypnosis mind control?
Not at all. No one under hypnosis can be induced to do anything against his or her will. Whatever moral and ethical codes you hold in a normal waking state will still be in place under hypnosis.

Will I be able to be Hypnotised?
Yes anyone can be Hypnotised if they want to be. Sometimes we might ask you to get a referral from your doctor if there is some medication that you are taking.

Will everything that I say be kept confidential?
Absolutely. The hypnotherapist is bound by the same protocols as any other therapist and unless there are exceptional circumstances everything said will be kept within the confines of the therapy room.

What if I don’t wake up?
For some reason this seems to an issue with people who have never been hypnotised. You will wake up! Even if the worst should happen and the hypnotist passes out in the middle of the session, you will wake up because you are not asleep. You are under hypnosis and are aware of what is happening.

Is Hypnosis safe?
Hypnosis is safe when a competent and qualified hypnotist induces it.

Is Hypnosis like stage hypnosis? Will you make me act like a chicken?
Hypnosis as used in a doctor’s office is a healing or investigative process. The client’s welfare is the sole focus of the procedure and the work is geared towards helping the client. Stage hypnosis is a show where people perform acts that are used to entertain an audience. Since the purpose is usually to hold the audience’s interest and to entertain them, the subjects are carefully selected and screened before the stage demonstration begins.

Under what circumstances should someone not be hypnotised?
There are some individuals who may run some risks if hypnotised. This is where the evaluative skills and clinical training of the hypnotist are essential.

How does hypnosis differ from sleep, meditation or guided imagery?
Hypnosis is best described as an altered state of consciousness, a changed state of awareness, concentration and perception. During the experience of hypnosis, the person remains in complete control and should they ever feel uncomfortable because of the experience, they can always reopen their eyes and terminate the intervention. Everyone at some point or another has experienced hypnosis. One experiences hypnosis when one misses an exit while driving or when one is so engrossed watching TV or reading a book that even a person talking will not distract one from one’s activities. Although some hypnotists use the word sleep as a suggestion to enter deep relaxation, hypnosis is not sleep. Sleep is defined as a natural periodic suspension of consciousness during which the powers of the body are restored. During sleep, the individual is not aware of what is happening. Meditation involves focusing one’s thoughts, engaging oneself in inner contemplation or reflection. Meditation techniques vary, but what most of them have in common is the relief of suffering and the promotion of healing. It is generally known that there are four different kinds of meditation. One is based on body control in order to unite body and mind as in Yoga. A second technique of meditation is based on control of the mind and requires concentration, contemplation and visualisation. Concentration is accomplished by focusing on an object. Contemplation is achieved through continuous repetition of a word or a syllable. A third approach to meditation is based on letting go of the body, using techniques to achieve relaxation of muscle tensions. The fourth meditative technique focuses on letting go of the mind. The mind remains open to whatever enters it thus obtaining insight. There is a fine line between meditation and hypnosis. Meditation and self-hypnosis can be induced in similar ways. Both techniques may begin by the person being asked to stare at a certain point, breathe in a prescribed way or listen to chants or rhythms. Meditation has been most effective in changing behaviour. Guided Imagery is the use of mental images to bring about changes usually related to health problems. All the above techniques share relaxation as part of the procedure, but that is where the similarities end.

Are people who are easily hypnotised mentally weak?
On the contrary, the best hypnotic subjects are people with average or above-average intelligence and those with good concentration and imagination.

Do you still have more questions?
Please call me or send me an email if I can help you any further.