FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The following are typical of the queries that a practitioner meets with every day.
Q. Why is hypnosis, or hypnotism, often thought to be in some way connected with the occult, or even witchcraft?
A. Such fairy tales are entirely due to the ‘Hollywood Effect’. Films often portray victims who are forced by evil people to do terrible things while under hypnosis.
Film directors and writers have found a very useful tool in their fictional type of hypnotism.
The truth of the matter is that a person can’t be made to do anything against his/her will, religion, or beliefs, while under hypnosis.
Q. What’s the difference between hypnosis and hypnotherapy?
Hypnosis is a scientific phenomenon which has been known to man for countless centuries. Hypnotherapy is a treatment which uses hypnosis as powerful tool, using the subject’s own mind to relieve symptoms and change behaviour. Typically, hypnotherapy is used to deal with problems such as smoking, alcoholism, weight-loss difficulties, and nail-biting. Many phobias and fears are also treated successfully using hypnotherapy.
Q. Does hypnotherapy have any unwanted or harmful side effects?
A. No, there are no side effects. It is non-addictive and not harmful in any way.
Q. Does hypnotism work on anyone?
A. Almost anybody, and only if they want to be hypnotised. The client has to be willing to ‘let it happen’. Don’t try to analyse what the therapist is saying. Even if you find yourself thinking:
“I know I’m not going to be hypnotised - but I’ll go along with it anyway.” - that’s fine. Just let yourself go and don’t try to make sense of what is being said to you. Just go along with it.
Q. Why is it that stage hypnotists can only hypnotise part of the audience, while the majority seem to be immune?
A. Because of time limitations (the show must go on), stage performers use a very rapid induction technique, which only works on a small percentage of any audience. The therapist, however, uses a slow progression induction. This method is really reliable. Though sometimes the type of induction has to be varied to suit individual cases. Sometimes one therapist may appear to fail where colleague will succeed. Practically everybody can be hypnotised. The degree or depth of the trance will vary greatly from person to person, but only a light trance state is necessary for most therapies.
Q. Will I lose control and stop being aware of what is happening?
No. You do not go to sleep or into a state of unconsciousness. Most people remember everything that has been said while they have been in the trance state. Hypnosis is really a form of deep relaxation.
Q. Will the therapist have physical contact with me?
Some therapists may, during a session, touch the client on the wrist, hand, arm, or forehead. Normally they will tell the client that they are about to do so.
Q. Does self-hypnosis work?
Yes, but it is not as effective as that induced by a second person. To achieve the trance state by oneself is not easy and it may need some practice. It helps a great deal to use a pre-recorded tape, either of your own voice or someone else’s.
Q. Will I remember what happens during the sessions?
Most people are aware of everything that is said during hypnosis and of all other sounds. Some say that they remember most of the therapist’s dialogue, though they admit to drifting off at times. There are some that remember little or nothing. The therapy is just as effective in all cases.
Q. I have been hypnotised before, will that help?
Yes, with each subsequent induction you will find you can go into trance more rapidly and deeply than before.
Q. Is hypnosis suitable for children?
Yes, from about the age of six. Bed-wetting and nail-biting are typical applications. Also there are therapies for various phobias.
Q. What if something happens to the therapist while I’m in the trance state – a heart attack, or something like that?
You would come out of the trance naturally or you would possibly fall into a normal sleep and then wake naturally.
Q. Are their any side- or after-effects?
Will it be safe to drive my car after a session, or will I feel ‘spaced-out’?
No, you’ll come out of the trance state feeling drowsy, rather like waking up from a siesta. This will pass off in a few seconds and then you’ll feel really good and relaxed.
Q. How many sessions will I need?
That depends on what the problem is. Some problems, like smoking, can be stopped in one single session. Other changes may take several visits. The therapist should be able to advise on this.
Q. How effective is hypnotherapy for smoking cessation?
Hypnotherapy is the most effective way to stop smoking. Using willpower alone, for most people, is very difficult. Patches are only about 20% effective. There is no doubt that hypnotherapy is the best tool available.
The actual success rate depends on both the therapist and the technique used. A good therapist with a good technique should achieve a success rate well in excess of 90%.
Q. When I stop smoking through hypnosis, will I put on weight as a sort of compensation?
A good therapist will build suggestions into your therapy to prevent this. He will make sure that the ‘satisfaction’ that you got from smoking is diverted to some other field. Typically, sport/fitness, a favourite hobby, or even your job.
Q. I want to have therapy to stop smoking, but my husband (or wife) doesn’t want to stop. With the temptation always close at hand will I be wasting my time taking the therapy?
No, no at all. Your case is by no means unique, in fact it’s quite common. The therapist should be informed of the situation and you will not be affected by others smoking around you. In many cases like yours, the rogue partner often, in time, comes into line and ‘takes the cure’ himself.
Q. Is hypnotherapy effective for weight loss?
Extremely, as the subconscious is usually programmed so that you only eat the right types of food and only in sufficient quantities to satisfy the body’s needs. f