MYTHS & MISCONCEPTIONS

Learn the facts about hypnosis

Hypnosis Probably Isn’t What You Think It Is

At Essential Balance Holistic Wellness Center hypnosis is utilized by a trained and certified professional for the sole purpose of achieving a state of balance and wellness in the client.

Many people have formed myths and misconceptions about hypnosis based on what they’ve seen in stage hypnosis shows or from exaggerated portrayals of hypnosis and its “powers” dreamed up and produced in Hollywood.  In order for a client to have the best and most therapeutic experience with hypnosis it’s important that he/she understand what it is and what it is not so that he/she feels completely comfortable with the process. We have no interest in having our clients clucking like chickens or doing any other silly thing that would serve no purpose in promoting their health or happiness.  Below are ten of the most common myths and misconceptions about hypnosis.

A hypnotist is a person gifted with special, mystical or unusual powers.

Fact: A hypnotist is simply a person who has been trained in the procedures and protocols of hypnosis. He/She does not have any unusual or mystical powers. A well-trained hypnotist understands that a person hypnotizes himself.  The hypnotist uses specific techniques and an effective delivery of positive suggestions to facilitate an altered state of mind and teaches the client to bring about, or self-induce, the hypnotic state.

A hypnotist has control over the hypnotic client. A person can be hypnotized against his/her will.

Fact: No one can be hypnotized against his/her will. Not only that but a person can come out of a hypnotic state and end a session at any time he/she chooses. Hypnosis sessions are dependent upon a mutual and cooperative relationship between the client and the hypnotist at all times. A hypnotist and his/her client are equals.  The hypnotist is simply a trained professional who facilitates the hypnotherapy process but does not control it.

Only gullible or weak-minded people can be hypnotized.

Fact: To the contrary, the more intelligent and imaginative a person is the easier it is to hypnotize him/her.  The more analytical and controlling a person is, the more difficult it is to induce hypnosis. A talented, well trained and experienced hypnotist will be able to induce hypnosis in all but a small handful of his/her clients. More than 90 percent of people can be successfully put into hypnosis. The two most important factors associated with a successful hypnosis session are:  1) the talent, training and experience of the hypnotist and 2) the willingness of the client to be hypnotized.

I’ve tried hypnosis in the past and it didn’t work.

Fact:  The vast majority of clients who are unable to go into hypnosis are unable due to the poor training or techniques of the hypnotherapist. There are NO bad hypnosis clients but there are bad hypnotherapists. Hayden isn’t one of them!

It can take anywhere from one to six (or more) sessions to resolve a given issue depending on the client and many factors surrounding the issue. For hypnosis to be effective, you must:  be willing to be hypnotized; have confidence in the hypnotist; be willing and able to accept suggestion; be free from fear; be free from the need to be in control and be willing to commit to the process.

Hypnosis is not a panacea (cure all). There are some issues that hypnotherapy cannot resolve but there are no issues that hypnosis cannot help; particularly in conjunction with other treatment modalities.

I’m going to get “stuck” in the hypnotic state.

Fact: No one has remained indefinitely in a hypnotic state.  A hypnotic trance can be terminated by the hypnotist OR THE CLIENT at will, at any time.  Coming out of hypnosis is as simple as opening your eyes.

I could be made to do anything and/or say anything “under the control” of the hypnotist. I could be made to commit a crime or made to go against my moral principles.

Fact: In hypnosis, awareness is increased. You are aware of everything going on around you and what is being said to you. You can reject any suggestion that is given to you at any time. You will never say or do anything that goes against your moral and ethical principles.

A client must be put into a deep hypnotic state to achieve hypnotherapeutic benefit.

Fact: You do not need to be in a deep state of hypnosis to benefit from it. Beneficial and long lasting results can come from accepting suggestions while in a light trance. Most hypnotherapy is done in a medium state of hypnosis. You do not need to be in a deep state of hypnosis to benefit from it. Beneficial and long lasting results can come from accepting suggestions while in a light trance. Most hypnotherapy is done in a medium state of hypnosis.

Hypnosis is truth serum. A person could be made to reveal secrets or say embarrassing things in the hypnotic state.

Fact:  You can actually lie in hypnosis! You can also edit and withhold information. You will never divulge any information to the hypnotist that you wouldn’t divulge in a regular waking state. Remember however that lying or withholding information while in hypnosis may reduce the effectiveness of the session.

When hypnotized, repressed memories of trauma always emerge.

Fact:  Although hypnosis can be used to uncover repressed memories, the hypnotic state itself does not, by default, bring them to the surface. A client will never see something that he/she is not ready to see and such memories will only come up if the client and/or the hypnotist intend to bring them up. A client can come out of the hypnotic state and end a session at any point simply by opening his/her eyes.

Hypnosis is un-Christian or anti-religious.

Fact:  Although clients often report having had a “spiritual” experience while in hypnosis and the hypnotic trance can be compared to meditation in the fact that it is a relaxed and deeply focused state, it has no religious connotations whatsoever, Christian or otherwise.

Do You Have Other Questions About Hypnosis?

If you have any other questions about hypnosis, about Essential Balance Holistic Wellness Center or about the qualifications of  Hayden Sutherland CHt, our Certified Clinical and Transpersonal hypnotherapist, please call for a FREE initial phone consultation at (813) 928-9850.

 

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* Clients with diagnosed or observable medical and/or mental health conditions are only seen with a referral or prescription from, or under the supervision of, an appropriate, licensed practitioner of the healing arts.

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