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By Donald Currie, Consulting Hypnotherapist and NLP Practitioner
Find out what hypnosis is and how it can work for you to help you make the changes you desire!
Information about hypnosis
Is hypnosis brainwashing or mind control?
If this were true, all the helpful hypnotists would ensure there would be no more world hunger, war or crime! And I would be on my private island in the Caribbean!
Also, if there was such a thing as mind control, you would see articles in the newspapers that read "Man in hypnosis empties bank account!" You have never seen this, and never will!
What is hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a state of concentrated focus in which the conscious mind becomes less rigid and the subconscious mind comes to the forefront. We enter this state when watching a movie, reading a good book or driving a car. The average person enters a hypnotic state 3-4 times per hour (we usually call this day dreaming or zoning out). It is a naturally occurring, altered state of consciousness in which the subconscious mind becomes more open and available to work directly with.
If you drive, you have most likely experienced driving without being able to recall how you got to your destination. Highway hypnosis is the most common experience of hypnosis.
Is it true that all hypnosis is self hypnosis?
Yes, it is true! All hypnosis is self-hypnosis, meaning that the client's desire to want to be hypnotized is absolutely essential.
The client must decide to follow the hypnotist's directions. If the hypnotist says close your eyes and the eyes close, it happens for the same reason if the eyes do not close, because the client is in charge and they decide what they will do.
Clients only do what they wish and they will not accept suggestions which violate their moral code.
Hypnotists must only make suggestions that are acceptable to the client, otherwise the client will immediately return to the normal fully conscious state.
So, hypnosis is very much like dancing with the client leading.
Is hypnotherapy a placebo?
No, not entirely. While placebo plays a part in hypnosis, however, research has shown its success rate far surpasses that of the placebo effect, thus showing it has benefits beyond that of the placebo effect.
Is it true that I won't remember anything that happened during my hypnosis session?
No, not at all. You remember everything that happens, providing that you choose not to remember, don't pay attention to what is being said or fall asleep.
Are there any medical conditions which would prevent someone from undergoing treatment with hypnosis?
Yes. There few conditions which would prevent someone from undergoing treatment with hypnosis. People who have epilepsy, because if someone with epilepsy has a seizure while under hypnosis, chances are the hypnotist will not have training to deal with the seizure appropriately and also little is known at this point in terms of how hypnosis affects epilepsy. Also people who have had recent heart surgery.
And those who have been diagnosed as psychotic or with dis associative disorder (MPD) should not undergo treatment with hypnotherapy unless they are working with a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist.
Is a hypnotist born with the ability to hypnotize others or is it something that is learned?
Hypnosis is a learned skill. Anyone could learn to hypnotize someone else in about 1 hour. It takes a continuing life time of education to learn what to do with someone while they are there to help them make change in their life.
Can someone under hypnosis reveal their deepest secrets?
Only if they wanted to! Hypnosis is not a truth serum! A subject under hypnosis can lie or confabulate. This is why testimony given under hypnosis is not accepted by the judicial system.
What are the different types of hypnosis?
There are four different types of hypnosis
1. Stage for entertainment purposes
2. Medical and dental for clinical uses
3. Therapeutic for generative change
4. Forensic for law enforcement purposes
How is naturally occurring hypnosis different from working with a hypnotist?
When working with a hypnotist, hypnosis is induced through a process known as an induction.
The state itself is the same as when it is naturally induced however, a good hypnotist knows the appropriate tools to use when someone is in hypnosis to help them make the changes that they desire.
How do I know if I am able to be hypnotized?
About 85-90% of the population is able to be hypnotized. First you have to have the desire to be hypnotized. If you are able to let yourself be absorbed in a good movie or daydream on a regular basis then chances are you will be able to be hypnotized quite easily. If you have a hard time turning off your
conscious mind, a good, qualified hypnotherapist has tools that will help you to achieve a hypnotic state if you are ready to make changes in your life. If you have an I.Q of above 60 and the ability to focus, then hypnosis should be quite easy for you.
What issues can be used to treat?
Hypnosis can be used as a complementary treatment for the following issues, depending on the hypnotists’ level of training:
• Weight loss
• Smoking Cessation
• Pain control and management
• Overcoming addictions
• Overcoming fears and phobias
• Insomnia and sleeping disorders
• IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome)
• Stress and Anxiety
• Performance enhancement (Sports)
• Dealing with the symptoms of Panic Attacks/Anxiety
• Dealing with the symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Behavior
• Surgery preparation/Healing
• Habitual Sadness, Anger, Guilt and Shame
• Motivation
• Study Habits
• Improving Self esteem, Self worth and confidence
and much more
Hypnosis can also be used for metaphysical purposes, providing someone wishes to receive hypnosis for such a reason. If you go to a hypnotherapist for smoking cessation and they were to start talking about spirit guides and auras, this would not be appropriate as not everyone believes in these things. I heard of a client going in to someones office for weight loss and the hypnotist started talking about angel guides. The client got very upset. Angels were not part of her belief system and this is not why she went in for hypnosis. If you believe in the metaphysical side, that’s great! And if you don't? That’s great too! Your beliefs are yours and that is okay! But always make sure when choosing a hypnotherapist that they follow what you desire and do not push their beliefs on you! However, if you wish to find a hypnotherapist that works with metaphysical hypnosis, make some calls and ask some questions. A lot of hypnotists are very open to the metaphysical aspects of hypnosis and it is usually easy to find a practitioner that does metaphysical work. Metaphysical sessions can involve:
• Past life regression
• life between lives
• Removing and clear unwanted energies from your auric field
• Connecting to your higher self to receive guidance on a current situation
• Discovering the akashic records, the book of your soul
• Connecting to your master healer to establish balance in your life
• Strengthening your aura to prevent negative energies from entering
• Increasing and attuning your intuition
• Connecting to the universal healing energy
and much more
Is hypnosis a regulated field?
As of writing this guide, hypnosis is not a government regulated profession in Canada.
However, there are certain bodies of private regulation. The National Guild of Hypnotists, International Medical and Dental Hypnosis Association and the Ontario Association of Hypnotherapists are just a few of the private associations which enforce a high level of standards. They ensure members adhere to a code of ethics. This ensures integrity amongst those practicing hypnosis. If a hypnotist is part of one of these associations, then there is a greater chance that they are operating with your best interests at heart.
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